Caramelized Onion Meatloaf has so much more flavor than your typical meatloaf. Topped with tons of sweet and savory caramelized onions and a brown sugar glaze. This meatloaf is anything but boring.
Meatloaf is one of my very favorite comfort foods. I must have nearly a dozen versions of meatloaf that I make. Scroll down to find links to them.
How To Serve Caramelized Onion Meatloaf
I love to serve meatloaf with Southern Style Green Beans or Cracker Barrel Baby Limas, Mashed Potatoes, and Yeast Rolls.
Caramelized Onions
The secret to making really good caramelized onions is to have lots of patience. You need the heat turned fairly low or they will burn. It will take a good 25 to 30 minutes to get them fully caramelized. But they can be made a day or two in advance.
I like to use a sweet onion for the caramelized onions. You could use a yellow onion instead. It will have a slightly stronger flavor.
Type Of Ground Beef To Use
You don’t want to use ground beef that is too lean or your meatloaf will be dry. You don’t want too much fat or it will be greasy. I think 85/15% is the sweet spot.
Eggs, milk and breadcrumbs help keep this meatloaf moist and give it a tender texture.
Recipe Tip
Gently mix the meatloaf ingredients together. If you overmix them, you will have a tough meatloaf.
Storage
Meatloaf makes wonderful leftovers. Easy to turn into a delicious meatloaf sandwich. Will keep in an airtight container for 4 days. Reheat in microwave. Can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Cool completely and then wrap in a layer of plastic wrap and a layer of aluminum foil. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then heat in a 350 degree oven loosely covered with foil.
With a caramelized onion topping and diced onion mixed into the meatloaf, this is definitely a meatloaf for onion lovers.
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Caramelized Onion Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 3 medium to large sweet onions
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
Glaze
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Finley dice 1/2 of 1 onion and slice the rest of the onion.
- Heat oil over medum heat in a large nonstick skillet. Add sliced onion and cook 25 to 30 minutes or until a deep golden color. Stir frequently so they don't burn and turn the heat down if they start to brown too quickly. You want them to brown slowly.Stir in brown sugar and vinegar and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Place breadcrumbs in a large bowl. Pour milk over breadcrumbs. Add eggs, meatloaf, diced onion, ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, salt, pepper, dry mustard.Gently mix together.
- Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish and shape into a 5×9-inch loaf.Pour half the glaze on top and spread it evenly.
- Bake for 45 minutes. Top with onions and drizzle remaining glaze on top of onions.Return to oven for 15 minutes.
- Sprinkle with parsley and let cool 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Why not just bake in a 9×5 loaf pan? What would be the cook time? Sounds really good!
The cooking time would be the same. I like that in a bigger pan, the grease has room the spread out and its not cooking in all that grease. Plus some people don’t have a loaf pan.
Sounds delicious will make for Monday night!
Thank you 😊
Thanks for sharing!