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turkey meatloaf with glaze on a serving plate
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Turkey Meatloaf Recipe

Our turkey meatloaf is tender and moist, packed with flavor that your whole family will love—you won't miss the beef at all!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword meatloaf recipes, turkey recipes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 371kcal
Author Kathleen

Ingredients

Meatloaf:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 8 ounces cremini mushroom, finely minced
  • 1 1/2 cups onion, finely chopped
  • 2 large carrot, shredded in large holes of box grater
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup mozzarella, shredded
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried sage
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 pounds 85/15 ground turkey

Glaze:

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dried mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Make The Meatloaf:

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF (177ºC). Spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil; set aside.
  • In a large skillet, heat olive oil (2 tablespoons) over medium heat. Stir in onions (1 1/2 cups) and carrot then sauté until they begin to soften, about 4-5 minutes. Add garlic (1 tablespoon) and continue to sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
    Step 1 how to make turkey meatloaf, Make the meatloaf: Saute the onions.
  • Stir in mushrooms (8 ounces) and Worcestershire sauce (2 tablespoons) then sauté, stirring often, until they release their liquids, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool for about 10 minutes.
    Step 2 how to make turkey meatloaf, Add the carrots and saute until it softens. Add and saute the garlic, mushrooms, and Worcestershire sauce. Step 1 how to make turkey meatloaf, Remove from heat and allow to cool
  • Meanwhile, add the Panko breadcrumbs (1 1/2 cups) and milk (1 cup) to a large mixing bowl and allow the Panko to absorb the milk. When the onion mushroom mixture has cooled add to the Panko mixture.
    Step 3 how to make turkey meatloaf, In a bowl, mix the Panko and milk. Add the cooled onion mixture.
  • Add mozzarella (1 cup), beaten eggs (2), Italian seasoning (1 tablespoon), sage (1/4 teaspoon), salt (1 1/2 teaspoons), black pepper (1/2 teaspoon), and ground turkey (2 pounds). Using your hands, gently mix until evenly combined.
    Step 4 how to make turkey meatloaf, Add the mozzarella, eggs, Italian seasoning, sage, salt, pepper, and ground turkey. Mix with your hands.
  • Evenly press the meatloaf mixture into the prepared pan. Invert the pan onto the prepared lined baking sheet.
    Step 5 how to make turkey meatloaf, Press the meatloaf mixture into the prepared pan. Invert the pan onto the baking sheet.

Make The Glaze:

  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together all the glaze ingredients.
    Step 6 how to make turkey meatloaf, Make the glaze: Mix all the glaze ingredients.
  • Pour 1/2 the glaze on top of the meatloaf. Use a pastry brush to evenly spread over the tops and sides. Do not put the pastry brush back in the glaze (for sanitary reasons).
    Step 7 how to make turkey meatloaf, Brush half of the glaze on top of the meatloaf.

Bake It:

  • Place meatloaf in preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes; remove from the oven and top meatloaf with remaining glaze.
  • Return the meatloaf to the oven and continue baking until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meatloaf registers 160°F (71ºC), about 30 minutes more. Allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
    Step 8 how to make turkey meatloaf, Bake. Remove from the oven and brush the remaining glaze. Bake again.

Notes

  1. So Tender! The trick to achieving a tender meatloaf is not to overmix the meat mixture. The panko bread crumbs panade soaks up all the flavor and moisture of the veggies, ensuring a moist meatloaf. This is our secret one-two punch!
  2. Use Your Hands: Many people struggle with mixing the raw meatloaf with their hands. Trust me, they’re the best tools for the job. Of course, you need to make sure they’re well-cleaned. At step number five, when everything is in a large bowl, stick your hands in and mix!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 371kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 124mg | Sodium: 1039mg | Potassium: 802mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 3417IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 185mg | Iron: 3mg