Description
This Turkey Meatloaf recipe offers a flavorful and moist alternative to traditional beef meatloaf. Infused with herbs, garlic, and a savory glaze of ketchup and barbecue sauce, it’s baked to perfection and serves 8 hearty slices, making it perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf Mixture
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 yellow onion, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (substitutes: soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, or BBQ sauce)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 lbs 90-93% lean ground turkey
Glaze
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil to prevent sticking and facilitate cleanup.
- Sauté Aromatics: Warm the vegetable oil in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the grated onion and cook for about 3-5 minutes until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, then remove from heat.
- Mix Binding Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the Panko breadcrumbs, whole milk, eggs, chopped fresh thyme, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until well combined.
- Combine Meat and Aromatics: Add the sautéed onion and garlic mixture along with the ground turkey into the breadcrumb mixture. Use your hands to gently mix everything together until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
- Shape the Meatloaf: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet and pat it into a 9×5-inch loaf shape, ensuring it is even for uniform cooking.
- Prepare and Apply Glaze (First Layer): In a medium bowl, whisk together the ketchup and barbecue sauce. Spoon half of this glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf to infuse flavor and help keep it moist during baking.
- Bake Initially: Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes to set the structure and cook partially through.
- Apply Glaze and Finish Baking: Remove the meatloaf from the oven, spread the remaining glaze over the top, then return it to the oven for another 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) indicating it’s fully cooked and safe to eat.
Notes
- Ground turkey can vary in fat content; using 90-93% lean ensures the meatloaf remains moist.
- Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature for doneness at 160°F.
- Substitute Worcestershire sauce with soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, or extra barbecue sauce if preferred.
- Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes after baking to allow juices to redistribute and make slicing easier.
- Panko breadcrumbs help keep the meatloaf light and tender.
