Pan de Carne Estilo Mexicano (Mexican-Style Meatloaf)
A tender beef meatloaf seasoned with taco spices, baked under a sticky ranchera tomato topping.
Made with Salsa ranchera and Taco seasoning mix. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr 15
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.76 a head
- Oven180°C (160°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Line a 900 g loaf tin or a baking tray with baking paper.
- 2
Heat the oil in a small pan and soften the grated onion and garlic for 4 minutes. Tip into a large bowl and leave to cool for 5 minutes.
4 min - 3
Add the beef, taco seasoning mix, breadcrumbs, eggs, sweetcorn, coriander and 100 ml of your ready made salsa ranchera (see the base recipe). Mix with your hands for 30 seconds until just combined.
- 4
Shape into a loaf and press firmly into the tin or shape on the tray. Spread half of the remaining salsa ranchera over the top.
- 5
Bake for 50 minutes, adding the rest of the salsa for the last 10 minutes, until the centre reaches 75C and the top is sticky. Rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
50 min
Tips
- Mix gently and only until combined. Overmixing makes meatloaf tough and dense.
- Grate the onion so it melts into the meat and keeps the loaf moist.
- A probe thermometer is the surest way to check it is cooked, with the middle at 75C or above.
- Rest the loaf for 10 minutes so it holds together when sliced.
Storing and freezing
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days once cooled within 1 to 2 hours. Freeze slices for up to 3 months and reheat until steaming hot all the way through. Good cold in sandwiches.
Questions
Is this meatloaf gluten free?
Yes, if you use gluten free breadcrumbs. Check the label on the tinned sweetcorn and your taco seasoning mix. Beef, onion and egg contain no gluten.
Can I make it without eggs?
Yes. Replace the eggs with 4 tbsp of milk or water and an extra 20 g of breadcrumbs. The loaf will be slightly more crumbly.
What should I serve with it?
Mexican red rice, refried beans, a green salad or mashed potato all go well. A little warm salsa on the side is good too.
More made with salsa ranchera
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.