Description

This Turkey Meatloaf is a healthy and flavorful twist on the classic comfort food. Made with lean ground turkey, aromatic sautéed onions and garlic, and a blend of herbs and seasonings, this meatloaf is both moist and tender. A tangy glaze of ketchup and barbecue sauce adds a delicious finish. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, it’s baked to perfection ensuring a juicy interior and a flavorful crust.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatloaf

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 (can substitute with 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

Prep the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
Cook the aromatics: Heat the vegetable oil in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the grated yellow onion and cook until translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant for about 1 minute. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
Mix the binder: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the Panko breadcrumbs, whole milk, eggs, chopped fresh thyme, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until well combined.
Combine with turkey: Add the sautéed onion and garlic mixture along with the ground turkey into the bowl with the binder mixture. Use your hands to gently but thoroughly combine all the ingredients until just incorporated, being careful not to overmix to maintain a tender meatloaf.
Shape the loaf: Transfer the meat mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and shape it into a loaf approximately 9×5 inches in size, ensuring an even thickness for uniform cooking.
Make the glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the ketchup and barbecue sauce until combined. Spoon half of this glaze evenly over the top of the shaped meatloaf.
Bake the meatloaf: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes.
Rest and serve: Remove the meatloaf from the oven, spread the remaining glaze evenly on top, and return to the oven. Continue baking for an additional 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Allow the meatloaf to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving to retain juices.

Notes

Make sure to not overmix the meat mixture to keep the meatloaf tender.
Feel free to substitute Worcestershire sauce with soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, or extra barbecue sauce based on your preference.
Resting the meatloaf after baking is important to keep it juicy.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F for safe consumption.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: turkey meatloaf, healthy meatloaf recipe, baked turkey meatloaf, easy meatloaf, ground turkey recipe, comfort food, weeknight dinner