As of: January 29, 2024, 5:14 a.m
By: Anna Yakusheva
From perfect temperature settings to creative recipe variations - here you'll find out everything you need to know to bake meat loaf like a professional.
Leberkäse is a popular Bavarian dish made from minced meat, bacon, onions and spices.
It is traditionally baked in the oven to create a crispy exterior and a juicy interior.
Surprisingly, in most cases Leberkäse does not contain liver, but consists mainly of finely chopped meat, bacon and spices.
With regional variations and creative interpretations, Leberkäse has developed into a versatile dish over time.
Whether as a traditional Bavarian sausage bread, as a hearty side dish with sauerkraut or even as a tarte flambée topping - Leberkäse has found its place in the culinary landscape.
Pleasure knows no bounds, and so you can also find it in surprising creations, such as the Schupfnudel pan with sauerkraut and meatloaf, an unconventional meatloaf pasta or meatloaf cordon bleu.
Leberkäse can be enjoyed in many ways, be it as a Leberkäse roll or as a hearty accompaniment to various side dishes.
(Symbolic image) © Panthermedia/IMAGO
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With the right temperature settings and the right time, making Leberkäse in your own oven is child's play.
Here are some essential tips for conjuring up the perfect meatloaf:
1. Choice of ingredients: Quality matters
High-quality meat, fresh spices and a good mix of pork and beef lay the foundation for a tasty meatloaf.
2. The right temperature: Hot, but not too hot
Before baking, preheat the oven to around 180-200 °C top/bottom heat.
This allows for even cooking and a golden brown crust without burning the meatloaf.
Although baking with convection is theoretically possible, there is a risk that the meatloaf will become too dry due to the longer baking time.
We therefore recommend the tried and tested method with top/bottom heat for a juicy result.
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3. Variations: Customize the taste
Leberkäse can be prepared in different variations.
Before you put it in the oven, you can add cheese, vegetables or spices such as pepper, paprika powder, marjoram or garlic.
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4. Choosing the baking pan
Place the meat loaf either in a loaf pan or on a baking tray to ensure even shape and cooking.
5. Keep an eye on baking time: Patience pays off
The baking time for meatloaf depends on its thickness.
As a rule of thumb, you can allow about 15-20 minutes of baking time per centimeter of thickness.
It is advisable to keep an eye on the meatloaf and check the core temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure that the meatloaf is cooked through.
It should be around 70 °C.
6. The crust in focus: crispy and golden brown
To ensure that the meatloaf develops an appetizing crust, you should increase the temperature slightly toward the end of the baking time and make sure that it turns evenly golden brown.
7. Pay attention to rest time: let yourself rest
After baking, let the meatloaf rest at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes and continue to rest in the tin before cutting it into slices.
This is how it retains its juiciness.
Leberkäse not only tastes delicious, but is also easy to prepare at home.
(Symbolic image) © Peter Widmann/IMAGO
With these tips and a little practice, nothing stands in the way of delicious meatloaf.
You can experiment with spices, find your personal favorite mixture and impress family and friends with a fragrant, freshly baked meatloaf.
Bon appetit!
The editor wrote this article and then used an AI language model for optimization at her own discretion. All information has been carefully checked. Find out more about our AI principles here.