Turkey Meatloaf

Turkey Meatloaf is a classic recipe that is often forgotten. This meatloaf recipe is healthy made with lean ground turkey, full of flavor and super moist! This will become a favorite in your house for sure!

Turkey Meatloaf is a great recipe. It is somewhat of a misunderstood recipe though. It is a tad difficult to keep a turkey meatloaf held together and moist.

Flavor is never a problem but keeping it moist has always been troublesome.

Well never fear, I have come up with THE BEST way to make a turkey meatloaf and ensure it stays moist. 

My husband loves a good meatloaf, and he was praising this recipe. He was really happy with the outcome, so I hope you are as well.

How to make Turkey Meatloaf:

Meatloaf has been made for generations. It is a classic recipe that people have learned to make their own. I even have made a Slow Cooker Meatloaf before!

Turkey Meatloaf is not hard to make. It is the same exact directions I use for my regular meatloaf, except one big step!

This one additional step is a game changer, and really help ensures you have a super moist meatloaf. Mix you ingredients as directed, and form in your pan.

Spread some ketchup on top of the meatloaf before baking, then bake and enjoy.

Ingredient Notes:

• Ground Lean Turkey – I love using ground turkey for a meatloaf, but you can use beef or chicken if you prefer.
• Breadcrumbs – Use a regular unseasoned breadcrumb.
• Milk – used to soak the breadcrumbs.
• White Onion – finely minced so as to not have big chunks.
• Eggs
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Seasoning – I use pepper, seasoning salt, and garlic powder.
• Ketchup – divided into 1/2 a cup and 1/4 a cup.
• Brown Sugar
• Mustard

Directions:

Step One: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

Step Two: Mix breadcrumbs and milk together and allow milk to soak into breadcrumbs. This will help keep your meatloaf moist.

Step Three: In a large mixing bowl add ground turkey, finely minced onion, eggs, milk-soaked breadcrumbs, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, seasoning salt, garlic powder, and ½ cup of ketchup.

Gently mix with hands then place on prepared baking sheet and form into a loaf.

Step Four: Mix remaining ¼ cup of ketchup with brown sugar and mustard.

Spread it all over and make sure it covers it well.

Add this to the top of your meatloaf.

Step Five: Allow to bake for 1 hour and 15-30 minutes or until your meatloaf if cooked through.

Allow to cool and settle for several minutes then slice and serve.

How long to cook a Meatloaf?

Cooking time can, of course, vary depending on your oven and even your location.

I find my meatloaf takes a good hour and a half to get cooked all the way through.

I suggest after an hour you check your meatloaf temperature.

Once your meatloaf reaches a safe temperature of 160 degrees F it is ready.

How to make Turkey Meatloaf not dry:

I have been struggling with making a Turkey Meatloaf and it being too dry. I have found the best way to keep it moist and help it bind together.

Moist Binder: Most meatloaves need a binder to help keep it together. Typically eggs and breadcrumbs are the main things used for the binder in a meatloaf.

Because turkey is usually a dryer meat than beef, a lot of people put mushrooms in their turkey meatloaf to help moisten the loaf up.

Well, what if you do not like mushrooms or have them available? Here is the Meatloaf Game Changing Trick to keep your meatloaf moist.

Our Tip: Soak your breadcrumbs in a little milk! Yes, in Step 2 I say soak the breadcrumbs in the milk.

This soaking and then mixing in with the meat and eggs really allows that bread to stay moist during the baking process.

This then keeps the meatloaf moist as well. As I said, my husband loved it, and he even voiced his concern about it being dry before we ate it.

This is the way to keep your meatloaf moist, without having to use mushrooms.

Cooking Tips:

Here are some quick tips when making a meatloaf:

• Use foil: When using a pan or a baking sheet you want to use foil for easy cleanup and removal.
• Load pan: If using a loaf pan, I used a 9×5 loaf pan. You can also form the meatloaf and make it on a baking sheet.
• Don’t Over-mix: When you are mixing your ground turkey, and the rest of the ingredients make sure to not over-mix. You want to mix it until they are all combined then form your loaf.
• Cooling time: Give your meatloaf time to cool slightly before serving. This will help you slice it without it falling apart.

How to freeze Meatloaf:

• Uncooked: You can mix and freeze your meatloaf before baking it. To do this prepare your loaf then wrap in plastic wrap and place in a large freezer bag. When you are ready to bake it allow it to thaw in the fridge for at 24 hours and then bake according to directions.
• Cooked: You can also bake the meatloaf and then freeze. You want to first allow it to cool completely then wrap your loaf in plastic wrap and place in a large freezer bag. And again When you are ready to bake it allow it to thaw in the fridge for at 24 hours and then bake according to directions.

What should I serve with Turkey Meatloaf?

Air Fryer Broccoli – This recipe for the best Air Fryer Broccoli will become a favorite for dinner with your family. Perfectly roasted but in less than 10 minutes, these broccolis are crispy and a super healthy side dish for any meal.

Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes – The easiest side dish or a perfect lunch. No work for you because these Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes are wrapped up in seasonings and in the slow cooker for hours. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy.

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes – These Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes are perfect for holidays or as a side dish for any meal! Make them the day before and just reheat the next day.

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