We make a lot of Meatloaf in the Mom’s Dinner test kitchen. It’s a favorite dinner for sure… and leftover lunch! I wanted to make a Ground Turkey Meatloaf that is easy to make, stays nice and juicy, and delivers a big bite of flavor. I think I accomplished all those goals and then some. You’re going to love this recipe for Turkey Meatloaf.
Serve it up with some Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes and buttered peas for a classic dinner that everyone will love. Then for lunch heat up a slice of turkey meatloaf and pop it between two slices of white bread with an extra squeeze of ketchup and mayo! YUM.
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Why THis Recipe Works
- No need to saute onions and garlic, this flavor is added with raw garlic, grated onion and some onion powder. This saves a step and some dirty dishes!
- Grated onion adds moisture to the ground turkey.
- Starting with a panade (panko bread crumbs and milk) keeps your turkey meatloaf juicy and tender.
- Using a 93/7 ground turkey ensures the meatloaf is juicy and not dry & tough.
- The addition of Worcestershire and ketchup to the meatloaf mixture adds great depth of flavor.
- The ketchup topping is enhanced with a mix of brown sugar and dry mustard.
Ingredients for Turkey Meatloaf
Ground Turkey – It is very important that you purchase a 93/7 lean ground turkey. That means that it contains 7% fat and 93% lean meat. This ratio will ensure you have a flavorful and juicy Turkey Meatloaf. If you go with the 99% lean ground turkey it is going to cook up like the rubber sole of a shoe.
I have also tested this recipe with an 85/15 lean ground turkey, it definitely works. I just found the texture to be a little soft.
Grated Yellow Onion – Onion not only adds flavor to meatloaf, it adds moisture too! By grating the onion on the large hole side of a box grater you can skip the step of sauteing the onion before adding it to the meatloaf mixture.
Garlic – Adds amazing flavor to the turkey meatloaf.
What is a panade? It is a mixture of a starch and a liquid to help keep ground meat recipes juicy and moist. At Mom’s Dinner we use this method in most of our meatloaf and burger recipes.
Panko Bread Crumbs – This is the starch part of a panade. Once the bread crumbs soak up the milk and Worcestershire it helps keep the meatloaf nice and juicy.
Milk – mixes perfectly with the panko bread crumbs to make a panade.
Egg – helps bind the ground turkey together so it will cook in a “loaf” without falling apart.
Worcestershire Sauce – ooooooooo we love Worcestershire Sauce!! It adds a nice salty complex flavor to the turkey meatloaf!
Seasoning – A blend of kosher salt, pepper, and onion powder is all you need to season everything perfectly.
Ketchup – Is used in two places in the Turkey Meatloaf – the meatloaf mixture as well as the topping.
Brown Sugar and Dry Mustard is also added to the ketchup topping, which makes it sweet, savory, salty and tangy!
How TO Make Turkey Meatloaf
This is a quick overview of how to make Ground Turkey Meatloaf. For more detailed instructions and ingredient amounts, pop down to the recipe card:
Step 1
Grate the onion on the large side of a box grater.
Step 2
Mix the panade – which is panko bread crumbs, milk, Worcestershire, ketchup, onion, garlic, egg, salt, black pepper and onion powder.
Step 3
Now add the ground turkey and combine.
Step 4
Turn out onto a large baking sheet covered in foil and sprayed with baking spray.
Step 4
Form into a loaf and bake for about 20 minutes.
Step 6
Meanwhile mix the ketchup topping.
Step 7
Spread about ยฝ of the ketchup mixture over the meatloaf and pop back in the oven for another 35 minutes.
Serving
Talk about classic Midwest dinner… and it just so happens we are really good at traditional side dishes. Here are three sides that go PERFECT with this Easy Turkey Meatloaf, then add some dinner rolls and butter.
Storing
Keep leftover Turkey Meatloaf in an airtight/covered container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat portions or pop the uneaten meatloaf in the oven at 350ยฐF for 15 minutes until warmed through the center.
Freezing & Cooking Turkey Meatloaf
You can freeze the Turkey Meatloaf cooked or uncooked. Either way it will be good in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Raw- prepare your meatloaf mixture, then shape it into a full loaf or smaller portions for one or two. Do not add the ketchup topping, you will do that when it is time to bake or reheat.
If raw/uncooked, set the shaped loaves or portions on a baking sheet or tray and freeze for a few hours, until firm. Then move the loaves into a freezer-safe bag or container or wrap in plastic wrap and then a couple layers of foil. Press out as much air as possible to help prevent freezer burn.
Label the bag or container with the date and contents. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Cooked- Prepare your meatloaf mixture, then shape it into a full loaf or smaller portions for one or two. Bake WITHOUT the ketchup topping, you will add that when reheating. Let cool completely.
How to Bake From Frozen
Thaw first – For best results, thaw the meatloaf (cooked or uncooked) overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
Adjust cooking time – Because it starts cold, you'll need to add a little extra baking time compared to a fresh meatloaf.
Raw- Top with ketchup glaze, bake at 350ยฐF for 70 minutes, test the middle for doneness, add 5 minute increments until cooked through to 165ยฐF.
Pre-cooked- Top with ketchup glaze, bake at 350ยฐF for 20 minutes, test the middle, add 5 minute increments until warmed through to 165ยฐF.
More Meatloaf REcipes
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I would love to hear your review, especially if you have tips and tricks to add! Pop down to the comment section and connect with me
Recipe for Turkey Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. ground turkey - 93/7
- 3 tablespoon yellow onion - grated
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoon milk
- 2 cloves garlic - minced
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire
- 2 tablespoon Ketchup
- 1 ยฝ teaspoon kosher salt
- ยฝ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- non stick spray
Ketchup Topping
- 1 cup Ketchup
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 ยฝ tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl mix together the panko, grated onion, milk, eggs, Worcestershire, ketchup, garlic cloves, onion powder, kosher salt and black pepper. Stir it all together really well.3 tablespoon yellow onion, 2 large eggs, 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoon milk, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoon Worcestershire, 2 tablespoon Ketchup, 1 ยฝ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ยฝ teaspoon black pepper
- Let it sit for a few minutes so the breadcrumbs soften.
- Add the ground turkey and stir together with clean hands or a fork.2 lbs. ground turkey
- Turn out onto the prepared baking sheet. Form it into a loaf about 12x4x2. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Mix the Ketchup topping ingredients together.1 cup Ketchup, 1 teaspoon dry mustard, 1 ยฝ tablespoon brown sugar
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven and spread about ยฝ-3/4 of the mixture over the top, saving the rest for serving.
- Bake for another 35 minutes until cooked through at 165ยฐF
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