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Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,364
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Meatloaf. Should you add cooked or raw veggies?

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Usually, when I make a meatloaf, I add raw chopped onions and green peppers(and sometimes finely grated carrots 🥕)to my mixture. I was looking at some recipes and some people saute the veggies first. I was wondering if it makes a difference in taste? What do some of you do?🤔

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Contributor
Posts: 35
Registered: ‎03-13-2010

Re: Meatloaf. Should you add cooked or raw veggies?

I didn't think it made a difference, so I just add the raw vegetables.  I usually do onion and peppers or sometimes carrots.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,898
Registered: ‎05-15-2014

Re: Meatloaf. Should you add cooked or raw veggies?

I have always mixed in the raw veggies prior to cooking.  I really don't find the initial sauteing in any recipe makes much difference in flavor.  The only thing I may saute first would be garlic as my DH is a garlic lover.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 21,845
Registered: ‎10-03-2011

Re: Meatloaf. Should you add cooked or raw veggies?

I add them raw to my raw ground beef.  IMO, if you cook the veggies first, then they get cooked even more in baking process, all the vitamins and nutrients in the veggies are killed off, so why bother?

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,322
Registered: ‎02-22-2015

Re: Meatloaf. Should you add cooked or raw veggies?

Why bother? The ground beef is going to be cooked long enough to cook the veggies and even an egg if used to bind the loaf. Save yourself the extra work and time; keep it easy!

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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,201
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Meatloaf. Should you add cooked or raw veggies?

The only reason why I saute the onions first is because I add a pinch of sugar, which cuts out any onion after-taste. I usually throw in the celery, too, which softens them a bit.

 

I always do soups this way, too.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 30,916
Registered: ‎05-10-2010

Re: Meatloaf. Should you add cooked or raw veggies?

I add raw, fresh or frozen.  Onions, peppers, sometimes mixed vegetables.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 39,562
Registered: ‎08-23-2010

Re: Meatloaf. Should you add cooked or raw veggies?


@Starpolisher wrote:

Usually, when I make a meatloaf, I add raw chopped onions and green peppers(and sometimes finely grated carrots 🥕)to my mixture. I was looking at some recipes and some people saute the veggies first. I was wondering if it makes a difference in taste? What do some of you do?🤔


 

@Starpolisher 

 

The only reason I would saute vegs first is if the pieces were thick or rather dense ... such as chunks of broccoli.  I've never added broccoli to meatloaf .....  just using this veg as an example.  

 

If the pieces are thin, they will cook right along with the meatloaf.  

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 32,486
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Meatloaf. Should you add cooked or raw veggies?

Meat, chunky salsa to taste, mix, throw in pan, bake, eat!!!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 43,246
Registered: ‎01-08-2011

Re: Meatloaf. Should you add cooked or raw veggies?

@Starpolisher 

 

The sauteing of vegetables is supposed to develop flavor.