Traditional German Meatloaf (Hackbraten)

Hackbraten is a versatile dinner that can be whipped up for a weeknight meal but also makes a popular choice for Sunday dinners, a tradition in many German households. It tastes better the next day (or the the day after that) and freezes beautifully, so make several to enjoy them throughout the months.

Pair your German meatloaf with traditional German side dishes like rotkohl (braised red cabbage), boiled potatoes with butter, braised sauerkraut, or Hunter’s sauce (creamy mushroom gravy) and mashed potatoes for a true comfort meal that’s wholesome and nourishing.

If you love German food, try my German Sauerkraut Soup made with meatballs, spaetzle, and rouladen beef rolls.

Ingredients Notes & Variations

All of the ingredients needed to make German meatloaf.
  • A mixture of ground beef or veal and ground pork is best, but you can also make this with all pork or all beef.
  • Bread or breadcrumbs can be used. This recipe is perfect for stale sourdough bread or a failed bread recipe.
  • Stale bread should be soaked in milk or water.
  • Instead of the ketchup-brown sugar glaze, you can cover the raw-formed loaf with strips of raw bacon before baking.

Key Meatloaf Recipe Process Shots

Refer to these photos of the recipe being made if you’re confused about how anything should look as you do it yourself. I recommend you start by prepping all of your ingredients so that you have them on hand ready to go — and clean as you go, it’s the best kitchen habit anyone can adopt.

All of the ingredients needed to make German meatloaf in a bowl ready to be mixed.

The above photo shows all of the needed ingredients ready to be mixed. I recommend mixing everything but the meat together first, then adding the ground beef and pork and mixing that thoroughly.

You will notice that the stale bread has been soaked in milk to soften and then squeezed out of the excess moisture.

Do not overmix the meatloaf, but make sure everything is thoroughly combined.

Raw meat mixture for meatloaf in loaf pan.

The finished meatloaf mixture will look like the above photo when raw and placed into a rectangular loaf pan.

Glazed meatloaf in rectangular loaf pan.

This is the ketchup-brown-sugar-vinegar-worchestire glaze being applied. Remember that you can add raw bacon strips to the mixture instead of this glaze before baking. You can apply the glaze over the bacon too. You can also add hardboiled eggs into the center of the loaf before baking.

Below is the finished hackbraten, sliced and ready to serve with your favorite side dishes.

German meatloaf sliced and ready to serve.

My Top Tips

  • Bacon: Add strips of raw bacon (horizontally) on top before baking. Proceed with the ketchup glaze as stated in the recipe.
  • Ingredient Quality: Use fresh, high-quality meat and bread instead of breadcrumbs for the best texture and flavor.
  • Add Hardboiled Eggs: It is traditional to add hardboiled eggs to the center of the meatloaf before baking. Nestle 2 eggs into the center and cover with the rest of the meat, pressing down firmly.
  • Soaked Bread: Instead of using breadcrumbs, try soaking a slice of high-quality sourdough bread (crusts removed) in milk until fully absorbed, then mashing it into a paste. This can add a lighter texture to the patties.
  • Caramelized Onions: Instead of just sautéing the onions until translucent, take the time to caramelize them slowly.
  • Resting the Meat Mixture: After mixing all the ingredients, let the meat mixture rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to an hour.
  • Season Well: Don’t be shy with the seasonings; the flavors should be bold but balanced. Add a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce to the meat mixture.
  • Let it Rest: For a juicier result, the meatloaf should be allowed to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

My Top Tips

Bacon: Before baking, add strips of raw bacon (horizontally) on top. Proceed with the ketchup glaze as stated in the recipe.

Add Hardboiled Eggs: It is traditional to add hardboiled eggs to the center of the meatloaf before baking. Nestle 2 eggs into the center and cover with the rest of the meat, pressing down firmly.

Caramelized Onions: Instead of just sautéing the onions until translucent, take the time to caramelize them slowly.

Season Well: Don’t be shy with the seasonings; the flavors should be bold but balanced. Add a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce to the meat mixture.

Ingredient Quality: Use fresh, high-quality meat and bread instead of breadcrumbs for the best texture and flavor.

Soaked Bread: Instead of using breadcrumbs, try soaking a slice of high-quality sourdough bread (crusts removed) in milk until fully absorbed, then mashing it into a paste. This can add a lighter texture to the patties.

Resting the Meat Mixture: After mixing all the ingredients, let the meat mixture rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to an hour.

Let it Rest: For a juicier result, the meatloaf should be allowed to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

German meatloaf sliced and ready to serve.

Traditional German Meatloaf (Hackbraten)

Jana Dziak
Perfectly moist and packed with flavor, this traditional German meatloaf, or hackbraten, recipe combines ground pork and beef with a blend of spices and a savory glaze for a hearty dish
4 from 1 vote
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine German
Servings 4
Calories 682 kcal

Equipment

  • Rectangular Loaf Pan 9 inches by 5 inches or approximate

Ingredients
  

For The Meatloaf

  • 1 lbs ground beef
  • 1 lbs ground pork
  • 1 large onion finely diced
  • 1 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 slices stale bread Or 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs. Stale bread should be soaked in milk or water and the excess liquid then squeezed out.
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ cup parsley finely chopped.
  • 1 tablespoon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg Optional.
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika Optional.

For The Glaze

  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar Or maple syrup.
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce Optional.

Instructions
 

  • Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×5 inch rectangular loaf pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly with butter or lard.
    Sauté the onions until golden brown in a bit of fat, oil, or butter. Add the garlic for the last 60 seconds, set aside.
  • Mix the Meatloaf: If using stale bread, soak it in milk until soft, then squeeze out the excess liquid. If using breadcrumbs, this step is not necessary.
    In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, soaked bread or breadcrumbs, cooked onion and garlic, eggs, chopped parsley, mustard, salt, pepper, paprika, and nutmeg.
    Mix everything together until well combined. It's best to use your hands to ensure the mixture is uniform, but avoid overmixing to keep the meatloaf tender.
  • Form and Bake: Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf pan, shaping it into a loaf. Alternatively, shape it into a loaf on a lined baking sheet for a more traditional German appearance.
    Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour.
  • Prepare the Glaze: While the meatloaf bakes, mix together the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl.
  • Glaze and Finish Baking: After the meatloaf has baked for 1 hour, remove it from the oven and spread the glaze over the top.
    Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the glaze is bubbly and the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
  • Rest and Serve: Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the meatloaf moist and easier to slice.

Notes

Storing:
  • Refrigerate: Cool to room temperature, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Freezing:
  • Wrap well: Cool completely, wrap in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Thawing:
  • Refrigerate: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheating:
  • Oven: Heat at 350°F (175°C), covered with foil, until it reaches 165°F (74°C) internally, about 25 minutes.
  • Microwave: Cover slices with a damp paper towel and heat until warm, about 1-2 minutes.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 682kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 44gFat: 50gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 22gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 255mgSodium: 868mgPotassium: 777mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 526IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 87mgIron: 5mg
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4 from 1 vote

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2 Comments

  1. 4 stars
    I’m loving your recipes and how you present them … and your tips, suggestions, and history !