Miranda Lambert’s Famous Meatloaf: A Recipe for Love and Nostalgia
During an episode of the Biscuits and Jam podcast, country singer Miranda Lambert opened up about her treasured family recipe, her mother Beverly’s “famous meatloaf.” She humorously shared how her mother always said, “It’s the loaf that’ll getcha the ring,” and it seems to have worked for Lambert, who has been married twice. Lambert’s cookbook, Y’all Eat Yet?, features this beloved recipe along with other cherished dishes and stories passed down through generations.
A Recipe for Love and Tradition
Reflecting on the sentimental value of her mother’s meatloaf, Lambert stated, “If you’re getting serious with someone, you either bring them to Bev Lambert’s house to have the loaf or you prepare it for them yourself.” She emphasized that her close friends are well aware of the significance of this dish and the tradition surrounding it.
Beverly’s meatloaf combines ground beef and ground pork sausage, creating a flavorful blend. First published in Southern Living in 2010, the recipe also includes a delectable sweet and sour glaze. Lambert playfully mentioned that this dish seems to have a magical effect on engagements, as she knew of around ten cases where someone either prepared or consumed the meatloaf and subsequently got engaged.
A Generational Culinary Legacy
Lambert credits her cooking skills to the generational knowledge passed down in her family. She shared memories of her mother’s resourcefulness in the kitchen, saying, “My mom could make something out of nothing.” Despite limited resources while growing up, her mother would create meals from the bare minimum, often relying on spaghetti and homemade garden sauce.
Her grandmother’s influence on her mother was evident, as she had a sign in her kitchen that read, “Do what you can with what you’ve got.” Lambert expressed deep gratitude for the lessons she received, saying, “And my mother received it from her, who then gave it to me.”
Cooking as a Nostalgic Connection
For Lambert, cooking allows her to relive memories and keep the spirit of her loved ones alive. She finds comfort and solace in using her grandmother’s items while preparing meals, feeling their presence with her. Lambert believes that the sentimental value of such experiences is immeasurable.
Bev’s Famous Meatloaf Recipe
For those interested in trying Beverly’s famous meatloaf, here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 lb. lean ground beef
- 1 lb. ground pork sausage
- 18 saltine crackers, crushed
- ½ green bell pepper, chopped
- ½ yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp. mustard
- ½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 Tbsp. flour
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. Use an 11×7-inch baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef, sausage, crushed crackers, bell pepper, onion, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and ¼ cup of brown sugar. Mix thoroughly with your hands.
- Shape the mixture into a 10×5-inch loaf and place it in the baking dish.
- Bake for 1 hour. Drain the juices into a separate bowl and set aside for the gravy.
- In a bowl, stir together the ketchup and the remaining ¼ cup of brown sugar to create the glaze. Reserve 2 to 3 tablespoons of the glaze for the gravy. Spread the rest over the meatloaf.
- Bake for an additional 15 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest portion registers 160°F.
- In a saucepan, heat the drained meat juices until hot. Add the flour and stir until thickened. Mix 1 ½ cups of hot water into the reserved glaze and add it to the saucepan. Cook until the mixture starts to bubble. Remove from heat and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Allow the meatloaf to rest for 20 minutes before serving directly from the casserole dish. Serve alongside your favorite mashed potatoes topped with the savory gravy.
By recreating this recipe, you can savor the flavors of tradition and perhaps even experience a touch of its legendary charm.