Ground beef on cutting board

The Best Ground Beef Blend For The Tastiest Meatloaf

NEWS

BY JULIA MULLANEY

Plate of meatloaf
Building the perfect meatloaf starts with using the right meat blend: One that has enough fat to create a juicy, flavorful profile and helps avoid that dry, boring meatloaf.
Various cuts on meat on wood
"It might be a hot take, but I think the different, specific cuts of beef are only important for fat content [and] do not actually change the flavor," says author Dan Whalen.
Person cracking egg into meatloaf mix
When choosing beef, Whalen suggests a fat content between 15% and 20%. Also, be sure to use good breadcrumbs, as they help absorb fat instead of letting it drain out.
Slice of meatloaf with herbs
You can still craft a delicious dish if you use a beef-and-turkey meatloaf blend, but turkey is naturally leaner than pork, so you might have to supplement the fat content.