Braised Meat Loaf
A three-meat loaf of beef, pork, and smoked ham crusted with breadcrumbs and corn tortilla mix, then braised in smoky chipotle sauce. Mexican-inspired comfort food that feeds a crowd.
YIELD
12 servingsPREP
30 minCOOK
60 minREADY
90 minForget everything you know about plain old meat loaf, because this one plays by a whole different set of rules.
Three meats go into the mix: ground beef, ground pork, and ground smoked ham, bound with eggs and seasoned with a hint of nutmeg that adds a subtle warmth you can’t quite place but can’t stop eating.
The loaf gets coated in a crust of breadcrumbs and corn tortilla mix, then browned on all sides in a hot skillet before chipotle sauce gets poured over the top and the whole thing simmers for an hour.
That smoky, spicy chipotle braising liquid soaks into the crust and permeates the meat, turning a weeknight staple into something with real swagger.
It serves twelve, so bring it to a potluck and watch it disappear.
Pro Tips
- Chill the loaf for a full hour before coating and browning. This firms it up so it holds its shape in the skillet and doesn’t crumble when you turn it.
- Brown all sides evenly. That crust isn’t just for looks. It seals in the juices and gives the chipotle sauce something to cling to.
- Make your chipotle sauce as spicy or mild as you like. Start with a couple of chipotles in adobo blended with tomato, and adjust from there.
- Let it rest 10 minutes before slicing so the juices redistribute and each slice holds together.
Ingredients
Directions
Mix ground beef, fully cooked ham, ground pork, eggs, salt, pepper, and the nutmeg.
Shape into a loaf. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Prepare Chipolte Sauce and set aside.
Mix bread crumbs and tortilla mix.
Coat meat loaf with bred crumb mixture.
Heat oil in 10-inch skillet until hot.
Cook meat loaf in oil over medium heat until brown on all sides.
Pour Chipotle Sauce over meat loaf.
Heat to boiling and reduce the heat.
Cover and simmer until done; about 1 hour.
Comments