Description
A classic German Hackbraten meatloaf made with ground beef, breadcrumbs, onions, pickles, and savory spices. This hearty dish delivers rich flavor and tenderness, topped with crisp beef bacon for the perfect finish.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef (80/20 beef recommended)
1 cup Progresso Plain Breadcrumbs or 365 Whole Foods Market Plain Breadcrumbs
½ cup diced onion
1 cup beef broth
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons chopped pickles (bread and butter or dill pickles)
1 tablespoon pickle brine
¼ cup Daisy Sour Cream or Tillamook Sour Cream
¼ cup chopped parsley
1 tablespoon brown mustard
1 ½ teaspoons table salt
1 teaspoon paprika
¾ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon black pepper
4 slices beef bacon, halved
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, diced onion, beef broth, beaten eggs, chopped pickles, pickle brine, sour cream, parsley, mustard, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper.
3. Mix until all ingredients are evenly distributed, being careful not to overmix.
4. Shape the mixture into a loaf on the prepared pan.
5. Lay beef bacon slices across the top of the loaf, slightly overlapping them.
6. Bake for about 1 hour or until the internal temperature reaches 150°F.
7. Switch the oven to broil and cook for 5–10 minutes until the beef bacon becomes crisp and brown.
8. Check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F before removing from the oven.
9. Let the meatloaf rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Hackbraten is best enjoyed warm with brown gravy or mashed potatoes.
Keep a close eye on the beef bacon while broiling as it can brown quickly.
You can refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days or freeze for later use.
Reheat gently in the oven or skillet with a splash of broth to retain moisture.
For a lighter version, substitute half of the beef with ground turkey or chicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Entree
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: German