- Why did the top crack?
- Likely baked at too high a temperature or the mix was over-kneaded. Be gentler next time!
- I don't have moose...
- Use beef or venison, or mix 50/50 with pork for juiciness.
Savory Game Meatloaf
Moose meat is lean and distinctive, so the biggest challenge with meatloaf is preventing dryness. Enter the 'panade' (bread soaked in milk), which locks moisture between meat fibers, and egg to bind it all together. The result is a robust yet juicy dish that's miles more exciting than plain pork meatloaf.
Ingredients
1
lb
Ground Moose (or Beef/Venison)
1
cup
Breadcrumbs
1
whole
Red Onion
2
cloves
Garlic
2
large
Eggs
1/2
cup
Milk
2
tbsp
Tomato Paste
1
tbsp
Worcestershire Sauce
1
tsp
Salt
1
tsp
Black Pepper
1/4
cup
Fresh Parsley (chopped)
1
tbsp
Olive Oil (for greasing)
Shopping List (0)
Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Loaf pan
- Parchment paper
Allergen Information
Wheat
Egg
Milk
Fish (Worcestershire)
Instructions
1
✓
Panade: In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs with milk and let sit for 5 minutes until it becomes a paste.
Tip: This step is critical! Don't add dry crumbs directly to the meat or they will suck up the meat's own moisture.
2
✓
Prep: Finely chop onion, crush garlic, chop parsley. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
Tip: It's worth chopping onion very finely or even grating/sautéing it beforehand so it doesn't crunch in the soft meatloaf.
3
✓
Assembly: In a large bowl combine meat, soaked crumbs (panade), eggs, and all seasonings. Mix by hand just until combined.
Tip: Don't overwork it! Kneading toughens meat proteins (like a rubber ball), resulting in a dense, dry loaf. Keep it loose!
4
✓
Shaping: Grease a loaf pan and press the mixture in, or shape into a loaf on a baking sheet.
Tip: Tap the pan on the counter to remove air bubbles so it doesn't fall apart when slicing.
5
✓
Baking: Bake for about 45-50 minutes. If you have a meat thermometer, pull it at 165°F.
Tip: If the top browns too fast, cover with foil.
6
✓
Resting: Remove and let stand in the pan for 10-15 minutes before unmolding or slicing.
Tip: While hot, the structure is loose and may crumble. Resting allows it to set (juices re-thicken).
Recipe FAQ
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Moose (or Beef/Venison)
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 whole Red Onion
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 2 large Eggs
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 2 tbsp Tomato Paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley (chopped)
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil (for greasing)