Recipe: Wild Game Leberkäse (German Meatloaf)

by
posted on March 27, 2018
germanmeatloaf_lead.gif

This dish is a specialty of south Germany, and literally means ‘liver cheese’—liver is used in some recipes and not in others, depending on the region. It’s a cousin to the ubiquitous bologna, and can be sliced for sandwich meat and served on a bun with mustard and a pickle, or pan-fried until golden brown. It is also used in a meat salad, called fleischsalat, which uses the leberkäse finely chopped as a side, and tossed with vinegar, oil, salt and pepper.

It’s important to keep the meat cool throughout the mixing process, so keep it chilled and moving freely in the food processor, so it doesn’t heat up.

Ingredients:
• 1 lb. ground elk
• 1 lb. ground pork
• 2 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon Tender Quick
• 1 generous tablespoon sea salt flakes
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram, crushed
• ½ teaspoon ground thyme (or dried thyme leaves crushed in a mortar and pestle)
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 cup crushed ice
• 2 medium onions
• ½ lb. rindless streaky bacon, finely chopped
• Melted butter or lard for greasing

Directions:
1. Combine the cornstarch, Tender Quick, salt, paprika, white pepper, marjoram, thyme, nutmeg, and ginger in a small bowl.

2. Put the elk, pork, spice mixture and onions in a food processor and blend, gradually adding the ice until the mixture forms a smooth paste (you may need to do this in a few batches to ensure the food processor isn’t overloaded). This can also be done with two passes through a meat grinder with a fine blade. Transfer the meat mixture to a bowl, add the bacon and mix thoroughly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and heavily grease two loaf pans with the melted butter or lard, making sure to grease the corners especially. Chill the loaf pan in the fridge or freezer.

4. Pack the cold meat mixture into the loaf pans, being careful to eliminate any air space. Fill the pans about half full. Smooth out the top and use a knife or spatula to score lines across the top in a crisscross diamond pattern. Bake for 60-90 minutes, until a golden brown crunchy crust forms.

*This recipe makes two loaves and freezes extremely well.

Latest

Easton 5 LEDE
Easton 5 LEDE

New for 2025: Easton 5.0 Arrows

The 5.0 is a projectile-winner, a new speedy lightweight from Easton that offers multiple setup options.

New for 2025: The 5th-Generation Burris Fullfield Riflescope

To commemorate its 50th anniversary, Burris Optics has unveiled the completely redesigned fifth-generation Fullfield riflescope.

New for 2025: Delta McKenzie X-Ray Series

See actual internal vitals from 360 degrees, including an elevated treestand view with Delta McKenzie's X-Ray Series.

New for 2025: Traditions NitroBolt Muzzleloader

Traditions introduces NitroBolt, first-ever bolt-action muzzleloader designed to use patented Federal Firestick.

Henry Introduces Its Special Products Division (SPD)

Henry Repeating Arms explodes into 2025 with the unveiling of the company’s Special Products Division (SPD) with a mission to create an all-new series of customized, purpose-built firearms. And the SPD’s first launch proves that Henry isn’t your grand pappy’s lever-action anymore.

New for 2025: Hevi-Shot Hevi-18 28-gauge Shotshells

Hevi Shot's Hevi-18 is now loaded in 28-gauge in a 3-inch shell, holding 1 ¼ ounces of No. 9 TSS shot, at a muzzle velocity of 1,200 fps.



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.