Easy Ground Turkey Meatloaf With Gravy

Turkey Meatloaf recipe

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This Turkey meatloaf recipe is a great addition to your healthy meals if you don’t like the fat-filled classic meatloaf recipe. It has an abundance of vegetables topped with the ketchup glaze to give you a burst of flavor-rich nutrition.

I recall my grandmother making classic meatloaf at home for family-sized meals. It has a lot of cheese and fats that are not for the people who like to have less fat in their food. My mother and I altered the classic meatloaf with the modern and healthier turkey meatloaf recipe, with the same flavor burst.

The preparation doesn’t take much time as you can breeze through the process after preparing one or two servings. The recipe is simple, and there is nothing complicated. It all takes mixing everything and baking at the right temperature for the perfect loaf. The best part is that it is as juicy as the Glazed meatloaf and Italian meatloaf.

What is so Special about Turkey Meatloaf?

If you are on the hunt for easy meal recipes, the Turkey meatloaf recipe is all you need. It gets to the serving table faster than you can order a pre-cooked meal. Furthermore, the recipe fits your bill for the following reasons:

  • Healthier: This is a healthier alternative to traditional meatloaf made with beef or pork. It is lower in fat and calories, but still high in protein.
  • Lighter texture: Turkey meatloaf has a lighter, fluffier texture than beef or pork meatloaf. This is due to the lower fat content of turkey meat.
  • Versatile Recipe: Turkey meatloaf can be seasoned and flavored in a variety of ways to suit your taste. It can be made with different herbs, spices, and vegetables to create a unique flavor profile.
  • Moist and juicy: When cooked properly, turkey meatloaf can be incredibly moist and juicy. This is due to the higher water content of turkey meat, which helps to keep the meatloaf from drying out.
  • Easy to make: Turkey meatloaf is easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time for a quick and easy meal. Leftovers can be used to make leftover meatloaf sandwiches, salads, or even as a topping for pizza.
  • Allergy-friendly: This meatloaf is a great option for people who have allergies or sensitivities to beef or pork. It is also a good choice for those who are trying to reduce their red meat consumption.

Planning to make this recipe, you’ll need a meatloaf pan for this recipe. Here is a list of the best meatloaf pans, loaf pans or try these best mini loaf pans.

If you crave the new recipe and want to have ground turkey in your meal, explore this recipe for more answers to your needs.

Turkey meatloaf (1)

Ingredients For Making Turkey Meatloaf

For Preparing Filling

  • 1 chopped onion medium-size
  • 2 cloves of minced garlic
  • 1 shredded carrot medium-size
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 1 red bell pepper seeded and chopped
  • ¼ tsp ground black pepper

For Meat Mixture

  • 1 ¼ lbs 93% ground turkey
  • 1 egg large
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup chicken stock
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
  • ¼ tsp ground black pepper

For Ketchup Glaze

  • ⅓ cup ketchup
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

How to Make Turkey Meatloaf?

1. Prepare the Veggies

Add some vegetable oil to a large skillet to prepare the vegetables at medium heat. Now add onion and bell pepper to the oil and let them heat until they soften. At carrots and let them cook for a few minutes while stirring. Once they are near ready, add salt, pepper, and garlic and cook them for a minute. Transfer all ingredients to the plate to cool down.

2. Preheat the Oven

Preheat the oven by placing a baking sheet with the parchment paper. Place it inside the oven and set the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Prepare the Meatloaf Mixture

Take a large bowl to prepare the turkey mixture. Combine ground turkey, regular bread crumbs, chicken stock, large egg, fresh parsley, Worcestershire, thyme, pepper, salt, and cooled vegetables that you already prepared. Gently mix the ingredients with your hands or a large spoon.

4. Place in Loaf Pan and Bake

Transfer the mixture to the loaf pan and properly shape it. Don’t use force to press as it can make the meatloaf texture rigid. Now place the loaf pan in the oven and bake it till 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use an instant-read IR thermometer to take accurate details of the temperature. It will take 50 to 55 minutes, then remove it from the oven and lower the broiler temperature.

5. Prepare Glaze and Broil

Make a glaze by combining the ketchup, black pepper, and maple syrup/sugar in a small bowl. Spread the mixture over the prepared meatloaf and broil it for 5 minutes till it begins to bubble. After that, remove it from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes. The juices will redistribute, and you can then garnish parsley and slice to serve it.

Turkey Meatloaf Variation And Storage

There are several ways to make the Turkey Meatloaf and store it for serving later. Here are the possible ways to store or make Turkey meatloaf:

Make it Ahead

Prepare and bake the meatloaf according to the recipe and then cool down to room temperature. You can keep it in an airtight container to save it for later. When serving, place it into the oven and heat to 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes. It will warm the meatloaf, and then you can spread the glaze over it and let it boil for 5-8 minutes.

For Meal Preparation

If you want to use it for meal prep, you can double the amount of turkey (2 pounds). Now bake the loaf in two separate places to enjoy a meal from one and let the other cool. Slice the meatloaf and place it into the airtight container for freezing. You can use the frozen meatloaf by reheating and baking it for 10-15 minutes until it is warmed at 350 degrees.

To Store Leftovers

You can keep the meatloaf leftover from the prepared meal and store it for making sandwiches. Bring the leftovers to room temperature and use a plastic-sealed bag or airtight jar to freeze them. Keep them in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. For use in the sandwiches, slice them and use them for filling.

Storage, Freezing And Reheating Tips

Here are some storage, freezing, and reheating tips for turkey meatloaf:

Storage Tips

  • Cooked turkey meatloaf can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
  • Make sure the turkey meatloaf is cooled to room temperature before storing it in the refrigerator.
  • Do not leave the turkey meatloaf out at room temperature for more than two hours.

Freezing Tips

  • Turkey meatloaf can be frozen for up to three months.
  • Wrap the cooled turkey meatloaf tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil or place it in an airtight container.
  • Label the container with the date and contents.
  • Frozen turkey meatloaf should be thawed in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheating Tips

  • To reheat turkey meatloaf, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Remove the turkey meatloaf from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
  • Cover the turkey meatloaf with aluminum foil and place it in the oven for 20-30 minutes, or until it is heated through.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the turkey meatloaf has reached 165°F (74°C) before serving.
  • You can also reheat individual portions of turkey meatloaf in the microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
Turkey Meatloaf recipe

Ground Turkey Meatloaf With Gravy

Adalynn Ward
This Easy Ground Turkey Meatloaf recipe is a great addition to your healthy meals if you don’t like the fat-filled classic meatloaf recipe. It has an abundance of vegetables topped with the ketchup glaze to give you a burst of flavor-rich nutrition.
5 from 8 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Dinner
Servings 8 persons

Ingredients

For Preparing Filling

  • 1 chopped onion medium-size
  • 2 cloves of minced garlic
  • 1 shredded carrot medium-size
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 1 red bell pepper seeded and chopped
  • ¼ tsp ground black pepper

For Meat Mixture

  • 1 ¼ lbs 93% ground turkey
  • 1 egg large
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup chicken stock
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
  • ¼ tsp ground black pepper

For Ketchup Glaze

  • cup ketchup
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

How to Make?

  • Add some vegetable oil to a large skillet to prepare the vegetables at medium heat. Now add onion and bell pepper to the oil and let them heat until they soften. At carrots and let them cook for a few minutes while stirring. Once they are near ready, add salt, pepper, and garlic and cook them for a minute. Transfer all ingredients to the plate to cool down.
  • Preheat the oven by placing a baking sheet with the parchment paper. Place it inside the oven and set the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Take a large bowl to prepare the turkey mixture. Combine ground turkey, regular bread crumbs, chicken stock, large egg, fresh parsley, Worcestershire, thyme, pepper, salt, and cooled vegetables that you already prepared. Gently mix the ingredients with your hands or a large spoon.
  • Transfer the mixture into the loaf pan and properly shape it. Don’t use force to press as it can make the meatloaf texture rigid. Now place the loaf pan in the oven and bake it till 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use an instant-read thermometer to take accurate details of the temperature. It will take 50 to 55 minutes, then remove it from the oven and lower the broiler temperature.
  • Make a glaze by combining the ketchup, black pepper, and maple syrup/sugar into a small bowl. Spread the mixture over the prepared meatloaf and broil it for 5 minutes till it begins to bubble. After that, remove it from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes. The juices will redistribute, and you can then garnish parsley and slice to serve it.

Nutrition

Calories: 176kcalProtein: 15gFat: 9gCholesterol: 73mgSugar: 5g
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Hello!! My name is Adalynn I love to eat, travel, and eat some more! I am married to the man of my dreams and have a beautiful little girl whose smiles can brighten anyone’s day!