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Tender and flavorful turkey meatloaf is a lighter take on a best-loved comfort food classic – simply mix and bake!
A Turkey Twist
Meatloaf is a classic and beloved recipe for a reason! We grew up eating meatloaf and have always loved this comforting dinner recipe.
This turkey meatloaf is similar to our Easy Meatloaf and Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf – just as moist and flavorful but a bit healthier since it’s made with ground turkey.
With only 10 minutes of prep, this easy dinner idea is great for any night of the week. Just prep and pop it in the oven!
WHY WE LOVE IT:
- Healthy. While it is a healthier version, this Sunday dinner idea is still moist and flavorful!
- Freezer meal. This recipe can easily be doubled and frozen for a second dinner later on.
- Just mix and bake. Just 10 minutes of prep then simply bake – perfect for busy nights!
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
COOK TIME: 1 hour 10 minutes
Topping
- ¾ cup ketchup
- ⅔ cup brown sugar – light or dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard – or 1 tablespoon liquid mustard
Meatloaf
- 1½ pounds ground turkey – or ground chicken
- ¾ cup crushed buttery round crackers – like Ritz, or use regular breadcrumbs
- ½ cup milk
- 1 small onion, chopped – chop or mince to desired size
- 1 whole egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced – about 1 teaspoon minced garlic, see How to Mince Garlic
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
How to Make Turkey Meatloaf
- PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a casserole dish or baking pan and set aside.
- TOPPING. In a small bowl, mix ¾ cup ketchup, ⅔ cup brown sugar,1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1 teaspoon dry mustard.
- LOAF. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1½ pounds ground turkey, ¾ cup crushed crackers, ½ cup milk, diced onion, 1 egg, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1½ teaspoons salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper, and ¼ cup of the ketchup mixture from step 1. Mix until well combined.
- Pour the turkey mixture into the greased dish and shape it into a loaf in the middle of the dish.
- BAKE. Bake the loaf for 40 minutes, then remove from the oven, drain liquids, and top with the remaining ketchup mixture.
- Return to the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature is at least 160°F. Top with fresh parsley and serve with a side of Mashed Potatoes.
Turkey Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
Topping
- ¾ cup ketchup
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
Meatloaf
- 1½ pounds ground turkey
- ¾ cup crushed buttery round crackers
- ½ cup milk
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a casserole dish and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and dry mustard.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, crushed crackers, milk, onion, egg, garlic, salt and pepper, and ¼ cup of the ketchup mixture until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into the greased dish and shape into a loaf in the middle of the dish.
- Bake meatloaf for 30 minutes, then remove from the oven, and drain liquids. Top with the remaining ketchup mixture.
- Return to the oven and bake an additional 30-40 minutes, or until the internal temperature is at least 160°F.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Turkey loaf. Prepare the turkey loaf, but do not bake. Instead, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 days, or wrap again with aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw before baking.
Sauce. Mix the topping and store in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days or place it in a small freezer ziploc and freeze it along with the turkey loaf.
Store leftovers in an airtight container(s) and refrigerate for 3-4 days or freeze for about 3 months.
