This Turkey Meatloaf recipe is insanely moist, tender, and delicious! I used to be someone who thought turkey meatloaves were perpetually dry, but after making this recipe, I've changed my mind. The inside is tender, moist, and full of flavor, and the sweet and tangy ketchup glaze makes every bite delicious.
Looking for a classic meatloaf recipe? Try my recipe here!
About This Recipe
I know a lot of you are looking for alternatives to red meat, and so I knew I wanted to make a meatloaf using turkey instead of beef! I posted my classic meatloaf recipe last year, and since then, it has become one of my most popular recipes on this blog. I'm hoping you guys will like this one just as much!
I've learned the secret to a juicy turkey meatloaf is to incorporate enough fillers so that the meat doesn't get too dense. When a turkey meatloaf has too much meat in comparison to fillers (and I know most of us have been taught that fillers are bad, but in meatloaf, they're actually important), it can turn out dry and dense. The most important filler is breadcrumbs. Breadcrumbs help break up the meat so it's more tender. It also absorbs juices that would normally get squeezed out during cooking, keeping it very juicy.
This meatloaf recipe has no shortage of flavor. I've found that many meatloaf recipes come out under-seasoned, so I've added lots of flavorful ingredients like ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and pantry spices. More on these ingredients below.
Key Ingredients
Ground turkey: The star of this meatloaf recipe is ground turkey! You can either use store-bought or make your own with a meat grinder. I recommend ground turkey that is 85% lean to keep it more tender, but 98% lean works as well.
Panko breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs are important for meatloaf because they lock in moisture and keep it light instead of dense. Feel free to make your own breadcrumbs from white bread. You can also crush up croutons.
Milk: For the richest flavor, use whole milk. Milk is used to soak the breadcrumbs so the meatloaf stays nice and moist.
Eggs: Act as a binder to hold the meatloaf together.
Parsley: I absolutely love fresh parsley in meatloaf because it adds grassy notes and makes everything fresher. You can use both the stem and leaves.
Ketchup: This will be used for the glaze, and I also like adding some to the meat mixture to give it sweetness and tang.
Worcestershire sauce: Adds umami and tanginess to the dish.
Seasonings: The only spices you need are onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Brown sugar: For the meatloaf glaze.
Instructions
STEP 1: In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Set it aside for a few minutes to moisten.
STEP 2: In a large bowl, combine the turkey, eggs, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and the breadcrumbs. Mix gently until JUST combined.
STEP 3: Shape the meat mixture into a loaf shape on a parchment-lined baking sheet. I had a bit of extra ground turkey in my freezer, so I made a longer loaf than usual.
STEP 4: In a small bowl, combine the ketchup and brown sugar. Pour over the top of the meatloaf. Bake for 45-55 minutes until it reaches at least 160ยฐF in the middle. Allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
๐ Recipe
Turkey Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ยฝ cup whole milk
- 2 pounds ground turkey (or 1 lb ground turkey + 1 lb ground pork)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ยฝ teaspoon black pepper
For the sauce
- ยฝ cup ketchup
- ยผ cup packed brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375ยฐF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Set it aside for a few minutes to moisten.
- In a large bowl, combine the turkey, eggs, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and the moistened breadcrumbs. Mix gently until JUST combined.
- Shape the meat mixture into a loaf shape on the prepared baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, combine the ketchup and brown sugar. Pour over the top of the meatloaf. Bake for 45-55 minutes until it reaches at least 160ยฐF in the middle. Allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes before slicing
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