Chef John's Zombie Meatloaf
Chef John's Zombie Meatloaf is a spooky and delicious twist on a classic comfort food. This unique recipe combines the traditional flavors of meatloaf with a fun and festive Halloween theme, making it the perfect dish for a themed dinner party or a festive family meal. Chef John's Zombie Meatloaf is not only a delicious and satisfying meal, but it is also a fun and creative way to celebrate the Halloween season.
Prep Time:
45 mins
Cook Time:
1 hr 5 mins
Additional Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs
Servings:
8
Yield:
8 servings
Ingredients
Directions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2
Melt butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Saute diced onion, celery, mushrooms, and 1 teaspoon salt until the mixture dries out and starts to turn golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in garlic, black pepper, thyme, and cayenne pepper. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes.
Step 3
Combine remaining 2 teaspoons salt, ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, buttermilk, 2 tablespoons ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl. Add cooled vegetable mixture. Mix with your hands until thoroughly combined. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator.
Step 4
Slice 2 round sides, about 1/2-inch-thick, off the second onion for the zombie eyes. Push 1 clove into the center of each slice. Cut a 1-inch-wide section off the remaining onion and dice into chunks to form zombie teeth.
Step 5
Transfer meatloaf mixture to the prepared baking sheet and use damp hands to shape into a zombie skull shape that is 3 to 4 inches tall. Form indents to represent the eyes, nose, and mouth. Drape bacon over the face, covering most of the meatloaf. Add onion eyes and teeth. Tuck in loose ends of bacon under the sides with a spatula. Cover the onion eyes with aluminum foil to prevent browning.
Step 6
Bake in the preheated oven until the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 155 degrees F (68 degrees C), about 1 hour.
Step 7
Stir barbeque sauce, 1/4 cup ketchup, and hot sauce together in a bowl to make the blood sauce.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
641
Calories
41g
Fat
22g
Carbs
46g
Protein
Complement
The meatloaf is shaped and decorated to look like a creepy zombie face, complete with green spinach "brains" and ketchup "blood" for a gory and realistic effect. The recipe is easy to follow and allows for plenty of room for creativity, making it a great dish to get the whole family involved in the cooking process. Whether you're a fan of Halloween or just looking for a fun and delicious twist on a classic dish, Chef John's Zombie Meatloaf is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.