This Mongolian Meatloaf recipe is a delicious twist on traditional meatloaf, featuring a savory and sweet Mongolian-style sauce. Inspired by American-Chinese cuisine, this meatloaf is baked to perfection and then sliced, crisped up in a skillet, and served with a tangy, sweet, and salty sauce. Serve it over steamed rice with a side of bok choy for an easy and flavorful meal. The sauce adds a burst of flavor that complements the tender meatloaf wonderfully!

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

For the Meatloaf:

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1/4 cup chopped green onions

• 1/4 cup milk

• 1 egg

• 2 teaspoons soy sauce

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Sauce:

• 1/2 cup soy sauce

• 1/4 cup brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

• 1 teaspoon minced ginger

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (to thicken)

Directions

1. Make the Meatloaf:
   Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, green onions, milk, egg, soy sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well combined. Transfer the mixture into a loaf pan and shape it into a loaf. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the meatloaf is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

2. Prepare the Sauce:
   While the meatloaf is baking, prepare the Mongolian sauce. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir in the cornstarch and water mixture to thicken the sauce, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce has reached the desired consistency.

3. Crisp the Meatloaf:
   Once the meatloaf is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Carefully slice the meatloaf into thick slices. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and crisp each slice of meatloaf for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.

4. Serve:
   Serve the crispy meatloaf slices with the Mongolian sauce drizzled on top, and pair with steamed rice and bok choy for a complete meal.

Nutrients

(Approximate per serving)

• Calories: 350

• Fat: 22g

• Protein: 25g

• Carbohydrates: 15g

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugars: 7g

• Sodium: 900mg

• Cholesterol: 75mg

• Potassium: 350mg

A Unique Fusion of Flavors

Traditional meatloaf recipes typically feature a combination of ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, and seasonings, resulting in a comforting, hearty dish. While the basics of the meatloaf remain the same in this Mongolian twist, the introduction of a savory-sweet Mongolian sauce completely transforms the flavor profile. Inspired by the bold flavors commonly found in Mongolian beef dishes, the sauce is a perfect balance of salty, sweet, and tangy, thanks to ingredients like soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and hoisin sauce.

This sauce is what sets the Mongolian Meatloaf apart from its traditional counterpart. It brings a burst of flavor to every bite, perfectly complementing the tender, juicy meatloaf. The soy sauce adds an umami depth, while the brown sugar provides sweetness, the rice vinegar adds a tangy bite, and the hoisin sauce offers a unique richness that makes the dish stand out.

The Perfect Meatloaf Base

The base of this Mongolian Meatloaf consists of ground beef, which is the most common choice for meatloaf and provides a hearty, flavorful foundation. In this recipe, the beef is combined with breadcrumbs, which help bind the meatloaf and give it a slightly airy texture. Parmesan cheese is also added to enhance the overall flavor, giving the meatloaf a rich, umami undertone. The addition of green onions brings a hint of freshness and a subtle bite, balancing out the richness of the beef and cheese.

Seasonings like garlic powder and soy sauce elevate the flavor profile, ensuring the meatloaf isn’t bland but is instead bursting with savory goodness. The soy sauce adds a salty depth, infusing the meat with a flavorful punch, while the garlic powder gives it an aromatic kick. The egg and milk help bind everything together, resulting in a moist and tender meatloaf that holds its shape during baking. Once baked, the meatloaf is ready to be sliced, crisped up in a skillet, and served with the delicious Mongolian sauce.

The Crispy Touch: Pan-Searing the Meatloaf

While the meatloaf is baked in the oven, the real magic happens when it’s sliced and crisped in a hot skillet. Once the meatloaf is cooked through and rested, it’s sliced into thick pieces and quickly seared in a skillet over medium-high heat. This step adds a beautiful golden brown crust to each slice, creating a crispy exterior that contrasts perfectly with the juicy, tender interior.

This crispy finish elevates the texture of the meatloaf, adding a satisfying crunch with every bite. It also enhances the overall presentation of the dish, giving it a restaurant-quality look that will impress guests or make dinner feel a little more special. The contrast between the crispy edges and the tender middle is what makes this Mongolian Meatloaf so enjoyable, as it adds both texture and flavor to the dish.

Mongolian Sauce: A Burst of Bold Flavor

The star of this dish is the Mongolian-style sauce that’s drizzled over the crispy meatloaf. This sauce is a rich, flavorful combination of ingredients that creates a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors. Soy sauce forms the base, bringing a deep umami flavor that enhances the beef. Brown sugar adds sweetness, giving the sauce a slight caramelization that contrasts beautifully with the savory elements. Rice vinegar provides acidity, cutting through the richness of the meatloaf and creating a well-rounded sauce that complements the flavors perfectly.

Hoisin sauce, a key ingredient in many Asian-inspired dishes, adds an extra layer of complexity to the sauce, bringing a slight richness and a touch of spice. The addition of sesame oil, ginger, and garlic enhances the depth of flavor, infusing the sauce with aromatic and slightly earthy notes. Finally, cornstarch is mixed with water to thicken the sauce, ensuring it clings to the meatloaf slices without being too runny.

This Mongolian sauce is what makes the dish truly shine. It not only enhances the flavor of the meatloaf but also adds moisture and richness, making each bite more satisfying. The tangy, sweet, and salty elements come together to create a harmonious sauce that’s as addictive as it is delicious.

Perfect Pairings: Rice and Vegetables

While the Mongolian Meatloaf is already a complete dish on its own, serving it with a side of steamed rice and vegetables takes it to the next level. Steamed rice provides a neutral base that helps absorb the flavorful Mongolian sauce, making each bite even more satisfying. The soft, fluffy rice balances out the richness of the meatloaf and sauce, creating a harmonious combination of textures.

Bok choy is an excellent vegetable to serve alongside this dish, as its mild flavor and crunchy texture complement the tender meatloaf and help to cut through the richness of the sauce. The slight bitterness of the bok choy adds a refreshing contrast to the sweet and savory flavors of the meatloaf, creating a well-rounded meal. You can also serve the meatloaf with other vegetables like sautéed spinach, steamed broccoli, or roasted carrots, depending on your preferences.

Customizing Your Mongolian Meatloaf

One of the best aspects of this Mongolian Meatloaf recipe is its versatility. You can customize the recipe to suit your tastes or dietary needs. For example, you can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef to create a leaner version of the dish while still enjoying the bold flavors of the Mongolian sauce. You can also experiment with different vegetables in the meatloaf filling, such as grated carrots or finely chopped mushrooms, to add extra flavor and texture.

If you prefer a spicier kick, consider adding chili flakes or more ginger to the Mongolian sauce. Alternatively, you can reduce the sweetness by using less brown sugar or opting for a sugar substitute like honey or agave syrup. The possibilities for customization are endless, allowing you to make this dish your own while still maintaining the key flavors of the original recipe.

Making the Most of Leftovers

Mongolian Meatloaf is not only delicious on the day it’s made but also great for leftovers. The flavor of the Mongolian sauce tends to deepen and intensify the next day, making it even more flavorful when reheated. You can slice the leftover meatloaf and reheat it in a skillet to retain the crispy edges, or you can microwave it if you’re short on time. The meatloaf can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or frozen for longer storage. When reheating, be sure to drizzle some extra sauce on top to keep it moist and flavorful.

Conclusion: A Flavorful, Satisfying Meal

In conclusion, Mongolian Meatloaf is a delicious and creative twist on the classic meatloaf, offering a burst of bold flavors that are both savory and sweet. The combination of a tender meatloaf base, crispy edges, and the rich Mongolian sauce makes this dish incredibly satisfying and perfect for any occasion. Whether served with steamed rice and bok choy or your favorite vegetables, Mongolian Meatloaf is sure to impress your family and guests with its unique flavors and textures. This recipe is a great way to enjoy the comforting familiarity of meatloaf while introducing exciting new flavors to your meal.