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German meatloaf on a platter with sauce
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5 from 1 vote

Amazing German Meatloaf Recipe

This German meatloaf is the perfect comfort meal and topped with a dark beer sauce after baking. Called Zwiebelhackbraten in German, this easy meatloaf packs a ton of onions, giving it a subtle, sweet flavor.
It's one of my favorite German recipes and I love serving it with some homemade Bratkartoffeln (German pan-fried potatoes) or Spätzle (German egg noodles) and a simple salad.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Resting Time10 minutes
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: German
Keyword: Beer sauce recipe, Easy Meatloaf recipe, German Meatloaf recipe, Meatloaf with beer sauce, Sauce for meatloaf recipe
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 577kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Meatloaf

  • 750 grams ground beef I also like using a mixture of beef and pork
  • 200 grams stale bread I use day old French bread or whatever kind of leftover bread I have
  • 2 large pickles
  • 1 Tablespoons butter
  • 4 yellow onions 4 small or 2 large
  • 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard or any mustard you have on hand
  • 1 handful fresh parsley
  • 2 Tablespoon lemon juice I use fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 3 Tablespoons butter melted, to brush onto the meatloaf before baking and throughout baking

Beer Sauce

  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • 2 Tablespoons yellow onion small diced
  • 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
  • 100 milliliters broth I use chicken or veggie broth
  • 240 milliliters dark beer such as a German Dunkelbier
  • 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
  • sugar to taste
  • apple cider vinegar to taste
Metric - US Customary

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350℉ or 180℃ (convection setting).
  • Cut the day old bread into thin slices, then soak in water and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Now wring out the bread and put in a large bowl.
    200 grams stale bread
  • Small dice the onions. Over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet and add the onions. Cook until translucent, about 5 to 10 minutes.
    4 yellow onions, 1 Tablespoons butter
  • Small dice the pickles.
    2 large pickles
  • Add pickles and cooked onions above ingredients into the bowl with the bread. Also add ground meat, eggs, chopped parsley, lemon juice, mustard, and season with salt, cayenne pepper and black pepper. Knead together.
    750 grams ground beef, 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard, 1 handful fresh parsley, 2 Tablespoon lemon juice, 2 eggs, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Melt the remaining butter and use some of it to brush on the inside of a loaf pan. Now add in the meatloaf mixture and shape into a loaf, forming a slight ridge between the meatloaf and the pan.
    3 Tablespoons butter
  • Bake on the bottom rack for about 60 minutes (possibly less time depending on your oven and the pan you use).
  • Brush butter on top of the meatloaf every 15 minutes until it's done baking.
  • The internal temperature of the meatloaf should be 160℉ or 71℃ when fully cooked.
  • Let rest for 10 minutes after baking before slicing.
  • In the meantime, make the sauce, heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a small pot and sauté the onion for a couple of minutes. Then add in the tomato paste and sauté for 5 minutes. Whisk in the broth and beer and allow to simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, sugar and apple cider vinegar.
    1 Tablespoon butter, 2 Tablespoons yellow onion, 2 Tablespoons tomato paste, 100 milliliters broth, 240 milliliters dark beer, 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard, sugar, apple cider vinegar

Notes

German meatloaf step by step instructions

Nutrition

Calories: 577kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 168mg | Sodium: 1451mg | Potassium: 657mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 668IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 127mg | Iron: 4mg