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Cast-Iron Meatloaf Patties with Ketchup Glaze and Mashed Potatoes, an American Food Classic

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Quick answer

Mix ground beef with panko, egg, onion and seasoning, shape four patties, and sear them in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over a medium camp stove flame for about 5 minutes per side. Brush on a ketchup-brown sugar glaze for the last 2 minutes and cook until the centers hit 160°F. Rest the patties while you stir up instant mashed potatoes in a pot. Total time is about 40 minutes.

Cast-Iron Meatloaf Patties with Ketchup Glaze and Mashed Potatoes, an American Food Classic Illustrative Photo
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Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans is about as American as dinner gets. At camp, a whole loaf takes too long and needs an oven. Thick patties give you the same tender, glazed bite in about 25 minutes of cooking.

The patties go in one skillet and the potatoes in one pot, so cleanup stays small. Keep the beef cold until you cook it. Check it with a thermometer, not by eye.

Recipe card

Cast-Iron Meatloaf Patties with Ketchup Glaze and Mashed Potatoes, an American Food Classic

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Prep
15 min
Cook
25 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
Easy
Heat
Medium flame
Pack weight
5 lb
TrailFit
  • Campfire
  • Camp stove
  • Backpacking
  • Cooler required
  • One burner
  • Some water
  • A few dishes
  • Prep ahead

Ingredients

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Gear you'll need

  • 12-inch cast-iron skillet
  • 2-quart pot with lid
  • camp stove
  • instant-read thermometer
  • large mixing bowl
  • small bowl
  • basting brush or spoon
  • spatula
  • foil

Steps

  1. Mix the glaze

    Stir the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard and vinegar together in a small bowl. Set it aside next to the stove.

  2. Soak the panko

    In a large bowl, stir the panko, 1/4 cup milk and egg together. Let it sit 2 minutes so the crumbs soften.

  3. Shape the patties

    Add the beef, onion, Worcestershire, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Mix with your hands just until combined, then form four patties about 3/4 inch thick. Wash your hands with soap right away.

  4. Sear the first side

    Heat the oil in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over a medium flame until it shimmers. Cook the patties 5 minutes without moving them, until a brown crust forms.

  5. Flip and glaze

    Flip the patties and cook 3 minutes. Brush the tops with the glaze and cook 2 more minutes.

  6. Check the temperature

    Slide an instant-read thermometer into the center of each patty. Pull them at 160°F, then move them to a clean plate and tent with foil. Don't use the raw-meat plate.

  7. Make the potatoes

    Bring 1 1/2 cups water, 1/2 cup milk, 3 tbsp butter and 3/4 tsp salt to a simmer in a pot. Take it off the heat, stir in the flakes, cover for 1 minute, then fluff. Add a splash of water if they're stiff.

  8. Warm the beans

    Melt 1 tbsp butter in the skillet over medium heat, scraping up the browned bits. Add the green beans and stir 3 minutes until hot. Serve the patties over potatoes with beans on the side and any leftover glaze spooned over the top.

Trail Notes

Make ahead

Mix and shape the patties at home, then freeze them flat in a zip bag with parchment between each. They thaw in the cooler in about a day and keep the cooler cold. Mix the glaze in a small jar and pack it.

Cooler

Keep the cooler at 40°F or below, with raw beef sealed in a bag on the bottom. Cook patties to 160°F and never put cooked meat on the plate that held raw patties.

Swap

Ground turkey works, but cook it to 165°F and add 1 extra tablespoon of oil to the skillet. Instant rice or egg noodles can stand in for the potatoes.

Leave no trace

Wipe the skillet with a paper towel while it's warm and pack out the grease in a sealed container. Wash dishes at least 200 feet from water, strain out food bits, and scatter the gray water.

Round out your camp day

Picked to work with the same kit as this recipe.

BreakfastSkillet Bacon, Egg and Cheddar Muffin Sandwiches: An Easy Breakfast Camp RecipeReady in 25 min · Cast IronLunchCast-Iron Kielbasa and Cabbage Skillet with Whole-Grain MustardReady in 32 min · 3 Ingredients or LessSnack or treatCast Iron Skillet Cinnamon-Sugar Tortilla ChipsReady in 30 min · Cast Iron · No cooler

More one-burner camping meals →Planning a trip? Get the free 3-day meal plan →

Campers ask

What counts as American food at a campsite?

Comfort classics like burgers, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, baked beans, cornbread and grilled sausages. They use common ingredients and cook in one skillet or pot.

Can you make meatloaf without an oven while camping?

Yes. Shape the mix into 3/4-inch patties and cook them in a cast-iron skillet over a camp stove or fire grate. They cook in about 12 minutes instead of an hour.

What temperature should camp meatloaf reach?

Ground beef is safe at 160°F in the center, measured with an instant-read thermometer. Ground turkey or chicken needs 165°F.

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