Omas Hackbraten mit Soße – deutsches Rezept

What does “Hackbraten” mean in German?

Hackbraten is German meatloaf, and the word builds itself: Hack is minced meat (Hackfleisch) and Braten is a roast. Wet bread rolls, onion, egg, and parsley get kneaded into the mince, then baked as one loaf. In some regions it also goes by the joke name falscher Hase, “mock hare,” a name that pokes fun at a cheaper roast standing in for hare.

The cook in the clip soaks Brötchen in water, squeezes them out, and works them into the meat, which keeps the loaf soft. He also uses Butterschmalz (clarified butter) for the onions and pours a cream and beef-stock sauce over the loaf near the end. Wie von Oma (“like grandma’s”) is the standard way to describe a home-style recipe, and Hackbraten is a typical dish for it.