French Onion Meatloaf

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What’s the secret to quick-cooking onions? Traditional caramelized onions can take a long time, but this method speeds things up. First, the onions are cooked in water to help draw out and evaporate their moisture. Then, a tiny pinch of baking soda is added. Because baking soda raises the pH, it breaks down the onions’ cell walls more quickly and accelerates the Maillard reaction, helping them turn soft, sweet, and deeply golden brown in a fraction of the usual time.

Prep Time30

Cook Time35

Course: lunch, supper

Cuisine: American, French

Keyword: beef recipe, meatloaf

Servings:

Calories: 489kcal

Author: Virginia Willis

Ingredients

2 pounds lean grassfed ground beef 90/10
3 onions chopped
¾ cup + 1 tablespoon water
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon pure olive oil
3 cloves garlic very finely chopped
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon coarse grain mustard
4 sprigs fresh thyme
4 ounces Gruyère cheese grated
4 large red potatoes thinly sliced

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Instructions

Place the beef in a large bowl. Set aside.
Caramelize the onions: Place the onions and water in a large skillet. Cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes until tender. Uncover, reduce heat, and cook until the onions are well browned and slightly sticky, another 10 minutes. Combine the baking soda and the remaining 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl. Add the baking soda solution into the onions and cook, stirring constantly, until the solution has evaporated, about 1 minute.
Add oil and garlic. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, 45 to 60 seconds. Remove from the heat to let cool slightly. Season the meat with salt and pepper. Add Worcestershire sauce, mustard, reserved onion mixture, and thyme. Using a rubber spatula, stir to combine.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Shape the mixture into a loaf and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet or loaf pan. Surround with sliced potatoes. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven. Adjust the temperature to broil. Top with cheese then return to the oven and cook until bubbly and golden brown, about 3 minutes. Remove to cool slightly. Slice and serve.

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