Savory Slow-Cooked Goetta Loaf
Experience the rich, hearty flavors of this Savory Slow-Cooked Goetta Loaf, a delightful dish made by slowly cooking a blend of meats and oats in a savory broth. Perfect as a versatile meal or snack, Goetta is a traditional German-American dish that can be enjoyed any time of day. This recipe utilizes ground beef and pork combined with spices, onions, and oats for a delicious result. Serve it sliced and pan-fried until golden brown for a crispy texture that complements the soft interior. Ideal for meal prep or gatherings, this dish will surely impress your family and friends!
N/A
Servings
280
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Water
5 cups (none)
Pinhead oats or Steel cut oats
2 1/2 cups (none)
Salt
3 teaspoons (none)
Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Ground beef
1 lb (loose, for mixing)
Ground pork or Pork sausage
1 lb (loose, for mixing)
Finely chopped onions
1 1/2 cups (chopped)
Sage
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
Thyme
1/4 teaspoon (dried)
Bay leaves
4 (whole)
Cornmeal
1/2 cup (none)
Instructions
1
In your crock pot, combine the water, pinhead or steel cut oats, salt, and pepper. Stir until well mixed.
2
Cover the crock pot and cook on high for 1 hour, making sure to stir 2 or 3 times during this period to prevent sticking.
3
After the first hour, add in the ground beef and ground pork (or pork sausage). Break up the meat thoroughly for even cooking.
4
Incorporate the finely chopped onions, sage, thyme, and bay leaves into the mixture. Stir until all ingredients are combined.
5
Reduce the temperature to low and cook for an additional 4 hours, stirring occasionally to maintain even cooking.
6
After the 4-hour cooking time, uncover the crock pot and gradually add the cornmeal, stirring well to combine it into the mixture.
7
Leave the crock pot uncovered and cook for a further 30 minutes. This helps to thicken the mixture.
8
Once cooked, pour the mixture into three loaf pans. Allow it to cool slightly before placing in the refrigerator to chill completely.
9
Once set and firm, turn out the Goetta from the pans and freeze any portions you do not plan to consume immediately.
10
To serve, slice the Goetta into pieces and fry in a little butter or oil in a skillet over medium heat until brown and crusty. Ensure the slices do not touch in the pan; otherwise, they may break apart.
Nutrition Information
18g
Fat
16g
Carbs
20g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Slow-Cooked Goetta Loaf?
Savory Slow-Cooked Goetta Loaf is a traditional German-American dish made from a blend of ground meats and oats cooked slowly in a savory broth, then chilled, sliced, and pan-fried.
What type of oats are used in this recipe?
This recipe specifically requires 2 1/2 cups of pinhead oats or steel cut oats to achieve the correct texture.
Can I use ground pork sausage instead of plain ground pork?
Yes, you can use either ground pork or pork sausage for the meat component of the goetta.
How long does the goetta need to cook in the crock pot?
The total cooking time in the crock pot is approximately 5.5 hours, involving 1 hour on high, 4 hours on low, and a final 30 minutes uncovered.
Why do I need to stir the oats during the first hour?
Stirring 2 or 3 times during the first hour of cooking on high helps prevent the oats from sticking to the bottom of the crock pot.
What is the purpose of adding cornmeal at the end?
Adding 1/2 cup of cornmeal and cooking uncovered for 30 minutes helps to thicken the goetta mixture before it is placed in loaf pans.
How many loaf pans does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields enough mixture to fill three standard loaf pans.
What is the best way to serve goetta?
Slice the chilled goetta and fry the pieces in butter or oil over medium heat until they are brown and crusty on both sides.
Can I freeze the goetta loaf?
Yes, once the goetta is set and firm, you can turn it out from the pans and freeze any portions you do not plan to consume immediately.
How do I prevent goetta slices from breaking in the pan?
To prevent breaking, ensure the slices do not touch each other in the skillet while frying.
What spices are used to season the goetta?
The recipe uses a savory blend of salt, pepper, dried sage, dried thyme, and whole bay leaves.
How much water is required for the recipe?
You will need 5 cups of water to cook the oats and meat mixture.
What meats are included in this goetta recipe?
This recipe uses a combination of 1 lb of ground beef and 1 lb of ground pork or pork sausage.
How many calories are in a serving of this goetta?
Each serving contains approximately 280 calories.
What is the protein content of the Savory Slow-Cooked Goetta Loaf?
There are 20 grams of protein per serving.
How much fat is in one serving?
One serving of this goetta loaf contains 18 grams of fat.
Do I need to chop the onions for this recipe?
Yes, you should use 1 1/2 cups of finely chopped onions.
Is this goetta recipe good for meal prep?
Yes, it is ideal for meal prep as it makes a large batch that can be frozen and cooked as needed.
What are the total carbohydrates per serving?
Each serving contains 16 grams of carbohydrates.
How many bay leaves should I add?
The recipe calls for 4 whole bay leaves to be incorporated into the mixture during the slow-cooking process.
At what temperature should I fry the goetta slices?
Fry the slices over medium heat in a skillet with a little butter or oil.
What should I do after the 4-hour cooking period?
After 4 hours on low, uncover the crock pot and gradually stir in the cornmeal.
When do I add the ground meats to the crock pot?
Add the ground beef and pork after the oats have cooked on high for the initial 1 hour.
How should I prep the ground meat before adding it?
The meat should be loose for mixing so it can be broken up thoroughly within the crock pot for even cooking.
Do I need to refrigerate the goetta before frying?
Yes, the mixture must be chilled completely in loaf pans until it is set and firm before it can be sliced and fried.
Can I use quick-cooking oats instead?
No, this recipe specifically requires pinhead or steel cut oats to achieve the traditional hearty texture of goetta.
What is the origin of goetta?
Goetta is a traditional German-American dish often associated with the Cincinnati area.
How much sage and thyme is needed?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of dried sage and 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme.
Should the crock pot be covered the whole time?
No, the crock pot should be covered for the first 5 hours but left uncovered for the final 30 minutes of cooking.
Is goetta considered a breakfast food?
While often served at breakfast, goetta is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a meal or snack at any time of day.