Meatloaf patties are a fantastic twist on classic meatloaf, offering perfectly portioned servings packed with flavor. Inspired by the hearty and approachable style of the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, this recipe takes the comfort food favorite and makes it even more convenient and delicious. If you’re a fan of savory, satisfying meals, then these Pioneer Woman Meatloaf Patties are about to become a new staple in your kitchen.
Close-up of cooked meatloaf patties with bacon topping, showcasing the texture and sauce.
Perfectly Portioned Pioneer Woman Meatloaf Patties for Any Meal
One of the great things about meatloaf is its comforting familiarity. But sometimes, a whole loaf is just too much, especially for smaller households or individual servings. That’s where meatloaf patties shine. This recipe adapts the traditional meatloaf into individual patties, ensuring each serving is just the right size. Whether you’re cooking for one or a few, these patties offer a convenient and delicious way to enjoy meatloaf without leftovers going to waste. This recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner, and any uncooked patties freeze beautifully for future meals.
Several cooked meatloaf patties arranged on a plate, highlighting their individual size and bacon topping.
Elevating Flavor: Bacon Inside and Out – Pioneer Woman Style
What truly sets these meatloaf patties apart is the addition of bacon – both inside the patty and as a crispy topping. This technique takes inspiration from gourmet burgers that blend ground beef with ground bacon for enhanced flavor and moisture. While Ree Drummond’s original recipe might call for bacon strips on top, incorporating ground bacon directly into the meatloaf mixture elevates the taste to a whole new level. The bacon fat renders during cooking, keeping the patties incredibly juicy and adding a depth of smoky flavor that complements the beef perfectly.
Tips and Tweaks for Pioneer Woman Inspired Meatloaf Patties
Ground Bacon vs. Bacon Strips: Using ground bacon might seem unconventional, but it’s a game-changer for meatloaf patties. Raw ground bacon might not be the prettiest ingredient, but trust us, the flavor payoff is immense. It infuses the entire patty with bacon essence and keeps the meat wonderfully tender. While topping with bacon strips is tasty, blending some bacon into the patties is worth the minimal extra effort. A food processor makes quick work of grinding bacon, or you can finely mince it by hand.
Choosing Your Bacon: Thick-cut bacon is readily available and works wonderfully in this recipe. For an even richer flavor profile, seek out double-smoked thick-cut bacon. The double smoking process intensifies the smoky aroma and taste, adding a delightful layer of complexity to your Pioneer Woman meatloaf patties.
The Magic of Grated Onion and Garlic: Grated onion and garlic might seem like a fussy step, but it’s essential for meatloaf patties that cook quickly. Grating ensures these aromatics cook through completely without overpowering the dish with raw flavors. The fine texture also blends seamlessly into the meat mixture. If you’re sensitive to garlic, you can reduce or omit it, but the grated onion is key for moisture and flavor. A helpful tip: wear rubber gloves when grating onions and garlic to avoid lingering smells on your hands.
Close-up shot of a meatloaf patty being cut open, showing the juicy interior and bacon bits within.
Using Bacon Grease: A Pro Tip for Cooking Meatloaf Patties
Cooking bacon often leaves behind flavorful grease. Don’t discard it! Bacon grease is fantastic for cooking the meatloaf patties, adding another layer of bacon-y goodness. However, bacon grease can sometimes contain dark bits from cooking. To clarify it, pour the hot grease into a measuring cup. Let the solids settle to the bottom, then pour the clear grease back into your skillet, leaving the sediment behind. This ensures a clean cooking process and maximizes the bacon flavor.
Image of bacon grease being poured into a measuring cup, demonstrating the tip for clarifying bacon grease.
Craving More Burger-Style Comfort?
If you love the ease and versatility of burger-style meals, explore these other delicious recipes:
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Salmon Burgers with Lemon Basil Mayo: A healthy and flavorful option with a surprising secret ingredient – fresh sweet corn! Check out this recipe
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Pork Gyro Burgers with Cucumbers & Yogurt Dill Sauce: Experience Greek flavors in burger form with gyro-spiced pork, refreshing cucumber, and yogurt dill sauce. Check out this recipe
Image of Pork Gyro Burgers, showcasing the toppings and presentation.
- Lemon Chicken Burgers & Cauliflower Mash: Light and bright lemon chicken burgers paired with low-carb Parmesan Cauliflower Mash for a balanced and satisfying meal. Check out this recipe
Close-up of cooked meatloaf patties with bacon topping, showcasing the texture and sauce.
Pioneer Woman Meatloaf Patties Recipe
A burger-sized version of meatloaf with ground beef and bacon, topped with a tangy and flavorful sauce.
Rating: 4.25 from 4 votes
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Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Adapted from “The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinner’s Ready,” by Ree Drummond
Ingredients
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon (double smoked if possible), divided
- ½ sweet onion
- 4 cloves grated garlic (optional)
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef
- ¼ cup fresh breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup milk
- ¾ tsp Kosher salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp packed brown sugar
- ½ tbsp prepared yellow mustard
- ½ tbsp hot sauce
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 4 slices of bacon until crisp. Grate the onion using a box grater.
- Cut the remaining 4 slices of bacon into 1-inch pieces and process in a food processor until finely ground (some small pieces are okay).
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground bacon, breadcrumbs, parsley, garlic (if using), grated onion, egg, milk, salt, and pepper. Mix well with your hands or a wooden spoon. Divide into four equal portions and form into patties.
- Remove cooked bacon and drain off all but ¼ cup of bacon grease from the skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook patties for 4-5 minutes per side.
- Preheat broiler and line a sheet pan with foil.
- In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and hot sauce. Chop the cooked bacon into small pieces.
- Flip patties and cook until no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes more. Place patties on the sheet pan, spread sauce on top. Broil on the lowest rack for 5-7 minutes to set the sauce and slightly caramelize the patties. Top with chopped bacon and serve hot.
Recipe Notes
Bacon Options: For a simpler version, skip grinding bacon. Cook all 8 slices, and top each patty with two cooked bacon slices after broiling.
