Gochujang Meatloaf
Gochujang gives classic meatloaf a deeper, more savory element along with a spicy kick.
Ingredients
For the meatloaf:
- Cooking spray
- 1 small yellow onion (about 6 ounces)
- 1 small carrot (about 2 ounces)
- 1 medium stalk celery
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4 ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms
- 1/4 medium bunch fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the gochujang glaze:
- 1/2 cup gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)
- 1/4 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 350ºF. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat with cooking spray.
- Prepare the following, adding each to a food processor fitted with the blade attachment as you complete it: Peel 1 small yellow onion and 1 small carrot, then coarsely chop. Coarsely chop 1 medium celery stalk. Add 4 peeled garlic cloves. Pulse until finely chopped, about 15 (1-second) pulses.
- Melt 1 tablespoon unsalted butter in a medium frying pan over medium heat. Add the vegetable mixture and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and most of the moisture has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat.
- Add 2 tablespoons gochujang, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, and stir until combined. Transfer to a large bowl and refrigerate until cooled to the touch, about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, remove the stems from 4 ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms. Place in the food processor (no need to clean) and pulse until finely chopped, about 10 (1-second) pulses. Pick the leaves from 1/4 medium bunch fresh parsley and finely chop until you have 1/4 cup. Finely grate Parmesan cheese until you have 1/4 cup if needed, or measure out 1/4 cup store-bought.
- When the vegetable mixture is ready, add the mushrooms, parsley, Parmesan, 2 cups panko breadcrumbs, 1 pound ground pork, 1 pound ground beef, 2 large eggs, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Gently mix with your hands until evenly combined.
- Transfer the meatloaf mixture to the baking sheet and shape it into a 9 by 5-inch loaf. Alternatively, line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap and pack it with the meatloaf mixture; invert onto the baking sheet, then remove the plastic wrap and loaf pan.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Rotate the baking sheet 90 degrees. Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers at least 150ºF, about 30 minutes more (it will continue to rise in temperature as it rests).
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, increase the oven temperature to 500ºF. Make the glaze: Place 1/2 cup gochujang, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, and 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved and the glaze is bubbling. Remove the pan from the heat.
- Brush about half the glaze over the top and sides of the meatloaf. Return to the oven and bake until the glaze bubbles, 1 to 2 minutes. Slice with a serrated knife and serve with the remaining glaze.

