Pickle Chipotle Meatloaf
This looks like a classic meatloaf, but it is hiding the one-two punch of tangy pickle and smoky chipotle flavors! The combination of pickle with spicy smoky chipotle and lots of cheese hit all the flavor goals I am looking for at this time of the year.
The inspiration for this recipe
I was brainstorming a few meatloaf ideas since I realized I have never really posed a straightforward meatloaf here. I have done a few but they were weird. One of them was like 75 perfect broccoli and 25 percent beef. Why? ANYWAYS. I wanted a super flavorful loaf that was perfect for the coming transition from summer to fall. A little bit bbq and jump into the pool, with a hint of lets watch football and rake leaves. Combining pickle and chipotle was the perfect path to these vibes in meatloaf form.
Make the flavor base in the blender
Add a whole jar of pickles, juices and all, to a blender. Then add the chipotle, some garlic, shallot, Worcestershire, and egg. Some additional flavors that would be good in here would be some spices like cumin, chili powder, and oregano. You could also add dill to reinforce the pickle flavors. I was keeping it simple though.
Make the pickle chipotle meatloaf mixture
Pour the flavor base into the pork and beef and mix it together. It is easier to mix before you add the cheese and breadcrumbs. Then once it is all combined, stir the breadcrumbs and cheese into the pickle chipotle meatloaf mixture.
Form the meatloaf
Get the pickle chipotle meatloaf onto a big sheet pan lined with parchment. Preheat the oven to 425.
Glaze the pickle chipotle mealoaf
When the chipotle pickle meatloaf is halfway cooked and starting to brown on top, add the glaze. The glaze is just chipotle, honey, ketchup, and worcestershire.
Serving the pickle chipotle meatloaf
Allow the pickle chipotle meatloaf to cool for at least 10 minutes when it comes out of the oven.
Then slice and serve!
The sticky sweet glaze is so tasty on top of this amazing pickle chipotle meatloaf! Like I said, it is a perfect late summer or early fall meatloaf! It would be equally great by the campfire or at the tailgate!
All that’s left is to dig in! Some mac and cheese on the side and I would be in heaven.
Twists on this recipe
I mentioned you could add some herbs and spices. Chili powder, cumin, dill, and oregano would be great in here. Some people hate ketchup and I get it. I love it in some places and don’t in others. You could do a little tomato paste in place of the ketchup if you wanted. I would probably add a little extra worcestershire to balance the texture.
If you are looking for a guide on a classic meatloaf, check out this recipe. I used it as a starting point when I was working on this pickle chipotle version because I haven’t actually made a ton of meatloaf!
For more fun meatloaf ideas, check out my lasagna meatloaf, or my meatloaf burritos!
Pickle Chipotle Meatloaf
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 ounce jar of pickles
- 5 cloves garlic
- 1 shallot
- 2 tablespoons worcestershire
- 1/4 cup chopped chipotles in adobo sauce
- 2 eggs
- 1 pound ground pork
- 2 pounds ground beef 15 percent fat
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 8 ounces grated cheddar cheese
glaze
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
Instructions
- Add the whole jar of pickles including the juices to a blender. Add in the garlic, shallot, worcestershire, chipotle, and egg. Blend to combine until everything is chopped up small.
- Add the pork and beef to a large bowl and dump in the blender contents. Stir to combine. Mix well not because it is wet and will mix easily.
- Stir in the breadcrumbs and cheese. Allow to sit in the fridge for 1 hour to cool and firm up a bit.
- Preheat oven to 425. Form the meatloaf on a large pan lined with parchment.
- Bake for 25 minutes at 425. If the top isnt browned at all, broil for a few minutes just to start the browning process.
- Remove from the oven and pour the glaze on top.
- Return to the 425 degree oven and bake another 25 minutes or so until the internal temp reaches 150.
- Remove from the oven. Allow to cool for 10 minutes. Slice and serve.
Did you use sweet or dill pickles?
I used dill but I usually encourage people to use whichever is their favorite!