I have been a fan of Beyond Burgers since the second they went on the market. The burgers were the most convincingly “meaty” burgers we had found up util that point, and I was beyond (pardon the pun) excited!
What I was most excited about was the possibilities these burgers opened up. Once they are thawed they can be used in place of “ground meat” in just about any recipe.
Meatloaf was always a weekly meal at our house in our pre vegan days. I personally loved the leftovers more, because that meant a meatloaf sandwich, and a meatloaf sandwich is seriously one of the greatest food on earth.
So learning I could just thaw the burgers and make my old meatloaf exactly the same as I always had, minus the actual real meat, had me beside myself!! I hear a lot of complaints about the price of these burgers, and I hear ya. That said, I also reason that as an occasional meal for my family of 6, the price really is not terrible. I 100% promise you that it is still a TON cheaper than taking my large family out to eat. Also, as an added bonus, Costco now carries the burgers in packs of 8 for about $14. So If I use 6 burgers to make a meatloaf, it’s costing me around $10.50 per loaf, or $1.75 a person. I would reason that this is not astronomical. It is less than I would spend ordering pizza delivery.
I have seen other brands of meatless ground “meats” popping up as well. Even Beyond Brand is selling their product packaged as a ground chuck alternative, not just in patties. If there is another brand you have tired and like, by all means, use it! You can NOT however use frozen meatless crumbles in this recipe. It won’t work. You need it to be an uncooked meatless product that is moldable, for forming into a loaf.
This meatloaf will also convince most carnivores. I fed it to my dad a few years ago at Thanksgiving and he thought he was eating meat. A man that scoffs at us being vegan, and eats some form of meat at every meal. He ate it, he liked it, and would eat it again. Win, win, win.
These new meatless products are designed to help those who want to give up meat but never stopped liking meat. I am in that camp. I gave it up for health, animal welfare, and the environment, not because meatloaf tasted bad.
So if you have been on the fence about trying these meatless brands, give them a try, you will be very surprised! You can actually give up eating animal products, and not give up all the foods you always loved. There are meatloaf sandwiches in your future….and they don’t have to taste like beans.
INGREDIENTS:
1 and 1/2 pounds vegan ground “meat.” I use 6 thawed Beyond Burgers.
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons tapioca starch, plus 3 tablespoons water
1/2 small yellow onion, finely diced
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons vegan Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon all purpose greek seasoning
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup ketchup
dried parsley for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Add the ground meatless “meat” to a large bowl. If you are using thawed burgers then break them up with a spoon.
Mix in the diced onion, garlic, tomato paste, and seasonings.
Next, mix in bread crumbs, starch mixed with water, and Worcestershire sauce.
Line a loaf pan with some parchment paper making sure it hangs over the sides a bit, and give it a spray with some nonstick cooking spray. Transfer the mixture to the loaf pan and press it down into the pan.
Add the ketchup to the top and spread it evenly.
Bake on the middle oven rack for about an hour.
Let the loaf cool for a about 5 minutes, then carefully lift it out of the pan by the parchment paper that is hanging over the edge. Place the meatloaf on a cutting board, sprinkle with dried parsley, and cut to serve.
Serves 4-6
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