substitution

hardlikearmour is a trusted home cook.

added 10 months ago

Stock or broth. Water if you don't have either.

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SeaJambon added 10 months ago

The good news is that I've never heard of needing to soften breadcrumbs -- rather, the breadcrumbs are usually added to absorb excess moisture. What is your recipe? Personally, I use dry oatmeal instead of breadcrumbs (with great results!). So, go ahead -- add the breadcrumbs and don't moisten ahead of time. :)

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Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.

added 10 months ago

Wet breadcrumbs help keep some moistness in meatloaf (or meatballs.) If I'm not using milk, I use broth. I agree with HLA - water would do, too.

I've used ground oatmeal in some recipes not calling for liquid. Came out tasty!

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bigpan added 10 months ago

Along with the above mentioned stock , I would also suggest tomato juice.

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ChefOno added 10 months ago

Voted the Best Answer!

Combining white bread (or, to lesser effect, bread crumbs) and milk to form a thick paste ("panade") is classic meatloaf, used as a binder, to retain moisture, and to keep the proteins in the meat from toughening as they cook.

Cream, canned milk, egg yolks should also work. Stock or water only in a pinch because fat is part of the equation.

Bread crumbs, without first forming a panade, become filler. The technique calls for forming a paste which activates the starches in the bread and then working that into the meat.

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SeaJambon added 10 months ago

This is what I love about this site -- I had NO IDEA! I make meatloaf "the way my mother always did", and she never (therefore, I never) softened breadcrumbs. As mentioned, I usually use oatmeal, not breadcrumbs, but always understood either was added to absorb moisture. Can't say I've ever noticed "tough" meat (to the contrary) but now that I've learned and absorbed (ahem, small pun intended!), I'll have to try it with a "panade". Interesting. The family recipe does call for both eggs and ketchup, FWIW.

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I always love chef Ono's responses. I have learned so much from him/her

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