Recipe: Venison Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf

For most hunters, meatloaf falls under the definition of comfort food; warm, savory and spiced to please various palates. Furthermore, don’t forget the thick, sweet sauce that graces the top.

Combining the ingredients of a bacon cheeseburger into the next meatloaf on the menu at hunting camp is sure to turn heads. Pickles, bacon, cheese and mustard all help to keep the loaf moist and add flavor. A ketchup and sugar toppings complete this crowd-pleaser meatloaf.

Ingredients
• 1½ lbs. ground venison
• ½ lb. ground pork
• 2 eggs
• ¾ cup milk
• ½ cup bread crumbs
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• ½ cup cheddar, shredded
• 2 Tbsp whole grain mustard
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 4 pieces of bacon, diced
• 2 dill pickles, diced

Sauce
¾ cup ketchup
½ cup brown sugar
½ tsp onion powder

Directions
1. Beat eggs and milk in a bowl, then stir in breadcrumbs, onion, cheese, mustard, pepper and salt.

2. Add ground venison and pork, bacon and pickles to the mixture and blend thoroughly.

3. Shape into a loaf about 3 inches thick, and place on a greased baking dish. A Camp Chef cast-iron bread pan is a great option.

4. Combine the ketchup, brown sugar and onion powder to make a thick sauce and spread it over the surface of the meatloaf.

5. Bake in a 350°F oven, uncovered for 1 hour. Let the loaf rest for 15 minutes before cutting to prevent crumbling.

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