Want a meatloaf recipe that’s healthy but still has that meaty taste? This turkey meatloaf recipe is the answer, but with this recipe and my tips, you’ll have a hard time believing it’s made with turkey rather than beef!
Best Turkey Meatloaf Recipe
Get that comfort meal on the table while keeping healthy by making the best turkey meatloaf recipe. It’s full of flavor, never dry or dull, and even sneaks in a secret healthy ingredient that your kids will never know.
Turkey Meatloaf Ingredients
- Ground turkey – You’ll need a pound and a half of ground turkey meat.
- Olive oil – Without the typical fat from beef, this adds it in a healthy way.
- Garlic – Mince it and it will distribute throughout your meatloaf.
- Baby bella mushrooms – Aha! It’s my secret ingredient to give that beefy taste and texture to your turkey meatloaf.
- Milk – Use whole milk to add more richness.
- Worcestershire sauce – A staple in any meatloaf.
- Ketchup – Divide the amount as some will go in with the turkey and the rest will be used to glaze the meatloaf at the end.
- Onion – A large diced onion should do the trick here.
- Breadcrumbs – Panko breadcrumbs will work great with the milk.
- Eggs – Beat 2 eggs for this turkey meatloaf
- Meatloaf seasoning – Use sea salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Fresh parsley – Fresh is best but if you’re out, you can garnish with the dried parsley from your spice rack.
Easy Turkey Meatloaf Recipe
Turkey meatloaf is as easy to make as any other type of meatloaf. It’s only 10 minutes to prep and the rest of the time it’s baking in your oven. It’s a simple and wholesome family meal designed to give you big beefy tastes in a healthier way.
How do you Make Turkey Meatloaf from Scratch?
You’ll preheat the oven to 400F. While that gets hot, line a rimmed sheet pan or grease your loaf pan. On the stovetop meanwhile, you’ll use a nonstick skillet to heat olive oil on medium low to cook the onion until softened, followed by the garlic, then mushrooms with salt and pepper. Cook this down, about 10 to 15 minutes. Then add to a bowl with the Worcestershire sauce and part of the ketchup and let it cool. In another bowl, add the breadcrumbs and milk together. When the mushroom mixture is mostly cooled, add the breadcrumb mixture, and then the beaten eggs. Then add the rest of the ingredients, pressing into your pan to make a loaf. Brush the top with the rest of the ketchup and bake for an hour or until the meatloaf is 170F at the thickest part.
How to cook homemade turkey meatloaf
You’ll prepare the aromatics and mushrooms on the stovetop and then incorporate it into your turkey meatloaf mixture, which then bake in the oven to delicious perfection.
How do you make a juicy turkey meatloaf?
To get it juicy, you need to add eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. These all work together to bind the meat and keep it moist inside.
What kind of turkey meat is best for turkey meatloaf?
Lean ground turkey meat will work the best for turkey meatloaf. Keep in mind that sautéing the mushrooms and aromatics will help add moisture to this meat which tends to be dry so that it will not fall apart when you bake it as meatloaf.
Why do you put milk in turkey meatloaf?
Milk gives more richness to the dry, lean turkey meat. It also helps keep the meat moist and juicy in the center.
How many eggs should I put in a 2 lb. turkey meatloaf?
In this recipe for 1.5lbs of turkey meat, it calls for 2 beaten eggs to bind the meat together.
What can I add to turkey meatloaf to make it moist?
Milk, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce will add moisture to dry turkey meat. But the secret ingredient of mushrooms helps it even more so while imparting more of a meaty flavor.
What is the best filler for turkey meatloaf?
Panko breadcrumbs, like with regular meatloaf, are the best filler for turkey meatloaf too. They soak up the milk and keep it from drying out.
Why does my turkey meatloaf fall apart?
You need to use eggs and breadcrumbs to keep the meat together. Ground turkey can be dry, so this is an important step not to miss.
Do you bake turkey meatloaf covered or uncovered?
Don’t bake your turkey meatloaf with a cover on it or else it will not brown.
How long should you cook turkey meatloaf at 350?
At 350F, it will take almost 1 hour and 20 minutes to completely cook your turkey meatloaf to reach the proper internal meatloaf temp of 160F.
Is it better to cook turkey meatloaf at 350 or 375?
While you can bake your turkey meatloaf at 350 or even 375, it is best to do so at 400F because at 400F, it takes about an hour to cook the center to the correct meatloaf internal temp of 160F.
Do you cook turkey meatloaf at 350 or 400?
You should cook your turkey meatloaf at 400F so that it will reach the internal meatloaf temperature of 160F and ready for dinner in about one hour.
How long do you bake turkey meatloaf?
At 400F and with 1.5lbs of meat, you’ll be cooking this for about an hour.
What is turkey meatloaf glaze made of?
For this recipe, turkey meatloaf glaze is made with ketchup. Because the meatloaf is full of other flavors and moisture-enhancing ingredients, you don’t want it to become too wet and fall apart.
How do you make turkey meatloaf glaze?
For turkey meatloaf, you can simply glaze the exterior with some ketchup. Because of all the other flavors, this will bring them out while keeping it moist and delicious.
What can I put on top of my turkey meatloaf instead of ketchup?
You can certainly make a glaze or use BBQ sauce, but do keep in mind that ketchup adds flavor without making the meatloaf watery.
What goes well with turkey meatloaf?
The same sides you’d serve with a beef meatloaf will work here, though if you’re eating turkey meatloaf, you’re probably trying to lighten things up. Try sweet potatoes, a garden salad, zoodles with Italian seasoning, quinoa, mashed cauliflower with cheese, or wild rice.
How to store leftover turkey meatloaf?
You should use the same methods for storing turkey meatloaf as regular meatloaf. Put it in foil or in an airtight container, then into your fridge.
How long does turkey meatloaf last?
Turkey meatloaf is best to eat in 3 to 4 days. If you have too much leftover, consider freezing it to use as meal prep or for a fast meal on another night.
Can you freeze turkey meatloaf?
Yes, you can freeze turkey meatloaf. Just like meatloaf with ground beef, you’ll have 3 months to use it.
How to reheat turkey meatloaf?
Turkey meatloaf can dry out if you’re not careful. Set the oven to 250F, put the turkey meatloaf in a baking dish with a little broth or water, cover with foil, and then warm it up for 25 to 30 minutes.
Watch How To Make Turkey Meatloaf (Video)
Classic Turkey Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion (diced)
- 3 tbsp garlic cloves (minced)
- 8 oz baby Bella mushrooms (finely chopped)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 8 tbsp ketchup (divided)
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 1/2 lbs ground turkey
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp parsley (finely chopped for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F and line a rimmed sheet pan with foil or grease a loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil or oil of your choice on medium-low heat. Once skillet is heated, add in the onion and cook until softened, then add the garlic until fragrant. Add in the mushrooms and add half the salt and pepper. Cook the mushrooms down until the liquid has evaporated away—about 10 to 15 minutes. Once the majority of the liquid has cooked off from the mushrooms, transfer the mixture to large bowl and add in the Worcestershire sauce and half the ketchup and allow to cool.
- While the onion/mushroom mixture cools, combine the breadcrumbs and milk in a small bowl.
- Once the mushrooms and onions are relatively cooled, combine with the breadcrumb mixture and beaten eggs. Then, add in the turkey and the remaining salt and pepper.
- Press the meatloaf mixture into your pan or form a loaf on the prepared baking sheet. Brush with the remaining ketchup as a glaze.
- Bake for about an hour until the thickest part of the meatloaf registers 170F. Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
