You might be wondering; Can I put raw bacon in meatloaf? When it comes to comfort food, the bacon meatloaf recipe is a winner!
The meal is tasty and filling, and it’s always a hit.
Meatloaf is a time-honored dish that is loved by people of all ages.
The whole family really appreciates the heartiness and coziness of this dish.
It has a lot of flavors. It’s fantastic, it’s perfect, and you have to give it a shot!
If you let the meatloaf sit for 10 minutes, it will be easier to cut. Add more flavor by using bacon that is peppered, maple-glazed, or applewood-smoked. To make the meatloaf spicy, you can add cayenne or red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.
Why Do I Need Raw Bacon in Meatloaf?
Adding bacon to meatloaf is a great way to add interest to this simple dish. Bacon makes everything better!
Bacon also brings out the best in your meatloaf by adding its unique smoky flavor and savory taste.
It’s important that you use high-quality pork belly or back fat from leaner cuts of pork, as these tend to be less fatty than other parts of the animal.
You should also make sure that the bacon is free of nitrites and nitrates.
These preservatives are added intentionally by companies in order for them not only to taste good but also to stay fresh longer on store shelves.
Tip: Raw Bacon is considered best for Meatloaf, so if you can afford it always, then it’s a better option.
How About Its Affordability?
Bacon is delicious, but it can be expensive. A pound of bacon can cost you upwards of $10 or more, depending on where you buy it.
If you’re not using all of your bacon on the same day, try freezing it, you’ll get a better deal that way!
If you’re looking for a way to add some serious flavor to your meatloaf, try adding bacon.
You can use either back fat or pork belly, which are both fatty cuts of pork that have plenty of flavors already on their own.
Tip: Try frying up some bacon first and then crumbling it over the top of your meatloaf before baking it, you'll be amazed at how good these two simple ingredients taste together!
What Can I Use Instead Of Raw Bacon In Meatloaf?
When it comes to meatloaf, some people opt for raw bacon to give it that unique flavor.
But what else can you use in its place? Here are a few ideas:
There are plenty of substitutes for raw bacon that can be used in meatloaf recipes, depending on what you have on hand.
Cooked Sausage
One option is to use chopped-up cooked sausage.
Sausage is already cooked and seasoned, so it will add a lot of flavor to your loaf without having to add any additional seasoning.
Breadcrumbs
Another option is using different types of breadcrumbs.
Plain bread crumbs will work just fine in most meatloaf recipes, but you could also try using panko or homemade bread crumbs if you have them on hand.
Either one would be a great substitution for the bacon.
Vegetable Broth
You could also use vegetable broth as a replacement for the bacon grease.
The vegetable broth has a similar consistency and flavor to bacon grease, so it will work great in most meatloaf recipes.
Sautéed Onions
Add diced onions to the pan before adding the bacon, and cook until softened.
Then add the meatloaf ingredients and mix together until evenly coated.
Ground Beef
A leaner option is to use ground beef instead of bacon. Just add it in with the other ingredients and mix together until evenly coated.
Ground Pork
Another option is to use ground pork instead of bacon, which will give the meatloaf a bit more flavor.
Ham
If you want a ham-flavored meatloaf, then add diced ham to the mix before forming it into a loaf shape.
Tip: Always make your meatloaf moistened to enjoy it better.
What Goes Well With Meatloaf?
The key to a good meatloaf is the right combination of ingredients.
When choosing these ingredients, it’s important to take into account the type of meat you’re using, as well as the flavorings you want to add.
Below are some suggestions for what can be added to your meatloaf for different flavors:
Italian Style
The meatloaf is a medium-sized or single-serving dish made of ground meat or vegetables, spices, aromas, and binding ingredients, like an egg, that are rolled in breadcrumbs or flour.
Each cook has his or her own recipe for meatloaf, based on the tastes of their loved ones.
Italian meatloaf is an easy and cheap main course and these are some ingredients to use.
Add basil and oregano, finely grated Parmesan cheese, and a little tomato sauce or tomato paste.
Tip: To make a single dish, you can serve it with suitable sides like a seasonal salad, baked potato chips, sautéed peas, grilled peppers, or cooked vegetables.
Mexican Style
Mexican-style meatloaf is a dish that has been popular in the United States for a while now.
The dish is made up of crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheese, salsa, chili powder, cumin, ground coriander seeds, minced garlic cloves, and chopped fresh cilantro leaves.
Some spices it contains, like cumin and chili powder, give it that extra kick of flavor.
The ingredients are mixed together and then shaped into a loaf. It is then baked for about an hour.
Tip: The dish can be served with rice or pasta as an additional side dish to accompany it.
Caribbean Style
Caribbean-style meatloaf is a dish that is very popular in the Caribbean region.
This dish is traditionally served with rice and peas, and plantains. The dish has a lot of spices in it, which give it its unique flavor.
Caribbean-style meatloaf is made up of ground beef, onion, garlic, green pepper, tomatoes, bread crumbs, brown sugar, chili powder, thyme leaves, and salt.
In order to make the meatloaf more flavorful, you can also add some Worcestershire sauce or tomato sauce to the mix.
Adding these sauces will give your meatloaf a richer flavor that will make it stand out even more than before.
So, Can I Put Bacon In Meatloaf?
The short answer is yes! You can definitely put raw bacon in your meatloaf, but it depends on how you want to use it.
If you’re looking for an extra kick of flavor, then bacon is a great addition to your meatloaf.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for something that will add moisture and make your meatloaf more tender, then bacon isn’t the best choice.
However, if you’re looking for something that will help keep the loaf moist while cooking and add a little bit of extra flavor, then bacon is a great way to go!
Just make sure that you cook it until it’s fully cooked before adding it to your loaf.
This will help ensure that there are no raw pieces left over once it’s done cooking, or else you might end up with some unpleasantness later on down the line!
Note: Bacon is a great addition to meatloaf, but there are some important things to keep in mind when making your meatloaf with bacon.
Precaution #1: Do Not Make The Bacon Crispy
Don’t cook the bacon until it’s crispy. That can cause the meatloaf to fall apart when you try to serve it up.
Instead, leave the bacon in small pieces so that it cooks through and releases its juices evenly throughout the loaf.
Precaution #2: Use Ground Meat
Be sure to use ground beef instead of chopped meat for this recipe.
The chopped meat will make your meatloaf too soft for sandwiches or burgers, and the ground beef will give you more control over how much fat gets incorporated into your loaf.
Final Words: Can I Put Raw Bacon in Meatloaf?
If you are wondering it again… The answer is yes!
Bacon is a great addition to meatloaf, but you should be careful not to overdo it.
You don’t want your meatloaf to taste like bacon and you don’t want it to taste like bacon the next day for lunch.
If you’re just looking for a little flavor, then you should be fine, but if you want to kick things up a notch, then go for it!