Chef John's Zombie Meatloaf

This spooky and fun Zombie Meatloaf is perfect for Halloween or any time you want to add some creepy flair to your dinner table. With a savory blend of ingredients and a dramatic skull shape, it's sure to impress.

Ingredients

• cup unsalted butter
• 1 cups diced yellow onion
• cup diced celery
• 1 (8 ounce) package brown mushrooms, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt, divided
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• teaspoon dried thyme
• teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 pounds lean ground beef
• cup plain dry bread crumbs
• 1 egg, beaten
• 3 tablespoons buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 onion
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 pound bacon strips

Blood Sauce:

• cup barbeque sauce
• cup ketchup
• 1 dash hot sauce, or to taste

Directions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325F (165C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: In a medium pan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion, celery, mushrooms, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Saut for 5 to 7 minutes until the mixture becomes dry and begins to turn golden brown.

Step 3: Stir in the minced garlic, black pepper, thyme, and cayenne pepper. Remove the pan from heat and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature (about 10 minutes).

Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining 2 teaspoons of salt, ground beef, bread crumbs, beaten egg, buttermilk, 2 tablespoons ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Add the cooled vegetable mixture to the bowl. Mix everything together thoroughly using your hands.

Step 5: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 6: While the mixture chills, slice two round pieces, about -inch thick, from the onion. These will be used for the zombie eyes. Insert one clove into the center of each onion slice. Next, cut a 1-inch-wide section off the remaining onion and dice it into chunks for the zombie teeth.

Step 7: After the meat mixture has chilled, transfer it onto the prepared baking sheet. Using damp hands, shape the mixture into a skull-like form that is 3 to 4 inches tall. Create indentations where the eyes, nose, and mouth should be.

Step 8: Drape the bacon strips over the meatloaf to cover the face, leaving the eyes and mouth exposed. Carefully place the onion slices with the cloves into the eye indentations and place the diced onion chunks where the teeth should go. Tuck any loose bacon ends under the sides of the meatloaf with a spatula. Cover the onion eyes with aluminum foil to prevent them from browning.

Step 9: Place the meatloaf in the oven and bake for approximately 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 155F (68C). This ensures the meatloaf is fully cooked through.

Step 10: While the meatloaf bakes, prepare the blood sauce by combining the barbeque sauce, ketchup, and hot sauce in a small bowl. Adjust the hot sauce to taste for a spicier effect.

Step 11: Once the meatloaf is done, remove it from the oven. For crispier bacon, you can broil the meatloaf for a few minutes, keeping an eye on it to prevent burning.

Step 12: Serve the zombie meatloaf with the blood sauce on the side, and enjoy this creepy and delicious treat!

Chef's Notes

• If you prefer a crispier bacon texture, cover the eyes and teeth with aluminum foil and broil until the bacon becomes brown and crispy.
• Milk can be used as a substitute for buttermilk if preferred.

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 641
• Fat: 41g (52% Daily Value)
• Saturated Fat: 18g (90% Daily Value)
• Cholesterol: 196mg (65% Daily Value)
• Sodium: 1600mg (70% Daily Value)
• Total Carbohydrate: 22g (8% Daily Value)
• Dietary Fiber: 2g (8% Daily Value)
• Protein: 46g (92% Daily Value)
• Vitamin C: 8mg (9% Daily Value)
• Calcium: 63mg (5% Daily Value)
• Iron: 2mg (9% Daily Value)
• Potassium: 427mg (9% Daily Value)