• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipe Index
  • Desserts
  • Appetizers
  • Low Carb
  • Breakfast
  • Main Entrees
  • Salads

Cooked by Julie

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Posted In: Main Entrees
    June 3, 2019 — Updated March 31, 2020 — by Julie — Leave a Comment

    Home » Delish » Main Entrees » Classic Turkey Meatloaf

    Classic Turkey Meatloaf

    Sharing is caring!

    7572 shares
    • Share
    • Reddit
    • Yummly
    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This classic turkey meatloaf is baked to perfection with a delicious ketchup glaze. The ultimate weeknight easy meal made in under 60 minutes! 

    If you’re a fan of my delicious Baked Turkey Meatballs then you will love this traditional turkey meatloaf.

    slices of turkey meatloaf on a wooden board with ketchup on the side

     

    Most people when they think of meatloaf they usually think of bland meat. That is definitely not the case with this recipe. Juicy, tender, melt in your mouth meatloaf is what I was aiming for and I achieved it. The secret to a delicious meatloaf is sauteing the onions, red crushed pepper, and fresh garlic in oil and seasoning the turkey generously. Also, you want to make sure you don’t overcook your meatloaf. Ground turkey should be cooked until the internal temperature reaches 160 F. 

     

    Why This Recipe Works

     

    • The egg helps to bind all of the ingredients together
    • Breadcrumbs help the turkey become less sticky and easier to work with and also adds fantastic flavor.
    • Ketchup and Worcestershire sauce are a must in this recipe.
    • Season with 1 tsp of salt for every pound of turkey you use.

     

    How to Make Turkey Meatloaf – Step by Step 

     

    The easiest meatloaf you’ll ever make, this is all you have to do:

    Mix the ingredients in a large bowl until well combined.

    Tip: 

    Using seasoned breadcrumbs? Use 3/4 tsp of Kosher salt. If the breadcrumbs are unseasoned, use 1 tsp of Kosher salt.

     

    egg, ketchup, onions, seasonings, and breadcrumbs in a white bowl

    If you don’t feel like sauteing the onions and garlic, just throw them in raw. However, I highly recommend getting those onions nice and caramelized.

    turkey meatloaf ingredients mixed in a white bowl with a fork

    Use clean hands or a fork to mix the ingredients. Adjust this recipe to your liking, love parmesan cheese? Add a little. Keep in mind that cheese is salty so you may want to cut back a little on the salt if you decide to add cheese.

    ground turkey in a white bowl with a fork

    Use regular ground turkey for this recipe instead of ground turkey breast. Ground turkey breast will be a bit on the drier side.

    seasoned ground turkey meat in a white bowl with a fork

    Mix until well combined but careful you don’t overmix, that can result in a tough meatloaf.

    ground turkey formed into a log on a baking sheet with a side of ketchup

    Form your meatloaf into a log and place it on a baking sheet.

    turkey meatloaf with a ketchup glaze on a baking sheet

    Smother your meatloaf with ketchup and bake at 325 degrees F. for 45 minutes or until fully cooked through.

     

    Cooks Tips for Classic Turkey Meatloaf Success:

     

    Make it Low Carb or Keto Friendly and swap out the breadcrumbs for almond meal.

    Don’t like ketchup? Use BBQ Sauce instead of ketchup.

    Want to spice it up? Add a splash of sriracha to your meatloaf mixture.

    Use a combination of pork, beef, and veal if you don’t want to use ground turkey.

     

    turkey meatloaf with parsley on top on a wooden board

     

    What Can I Serve This Meatloaf With?

    I personally love serving this with Honey Roasted Carrots and Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Although, potatoes and vegetables aren’t your only options. Here are some more delicious sides that pair fantastically with turkey meatloaf:

     

    • Cheese Garlic Biscuits 
    • Creamed Corn 
    • Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
    • Loaded Mac and Cheese 
    • Candied Yams 
    • Spanish Rice 

     

    turkey meatloaf with parsley on top on a wooden board

    Classic Turkey Meatloaf

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 50 minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 155kcal
    Author: Julie Maestre
    Melt in your mouth ground turkey meatloaf with a ketchup glaze. 

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb ground turkey
    • 1 egg
    • 1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
    • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
    • 1/4 cup ketchup
    • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
    • 1 small onion
    • 2 garlic cloves
    • pinch of red crushed pepper
    • 1 tsp kosher salt or to taste
    • pepper to taste
    • 1 tbsp olive oil

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. 
    • Add olive oil to a small skillet and heat over medium heat. 
    • Add the onions and cook for 2-3 minutes. 
    • Stir in the garlic and red crushed pepper, cook until fragrant. Remove off the heat.
    • In a large bowl, combine the cooked onion mixture, egg, 2 tbsp of ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and breadcrumbs.
    • Add the ground turkey to the egg mixture and mix until well combined. 
    • Place the ground turkey mixture on a baking sheet and form it into a log or use a meatloaf pan, if desired. 
    • Brush the meatloaf with ketchup, leaving about 2 tbsp behind and bake for 40 minutes.
    • Brush the meatloaf with the remaining ketchup and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until fully cooked through. 

    Notes

     
    • Make it Low Carb or Keto Friendly and swap out the breadcrumbs for almond meal.
    • Don't like ketchup? Use BBQ Sauce instead of ketchup.
    • Want to spice it up? Add a splash of sriracha to your meatloaf mixture.
    • Use a combination of pork, beef, and veal if you don't want to use ground turkey.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 155kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 575mg | Potassium: 312mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 110IU | Vitamin C: 2.3mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1.1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cookedbyjulie or tag #cookedbyjulie!

    Share this:

    • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
    • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

    Filed Under: Main Entrees

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Julie! I’m extremely fortunate to make a living doing what I truly love – creating and sharing my favorite “can’t live without” recipes with readers from all over the world.

    More about me →

    Holiday Recipes

    • Chocolate Coquito
    • Traditional Rum Balls
    • Crockpot Candy
    • Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
    • Cheesy Jalapeno Corn Casserole
    • Smothered Turkey Wings

    Popular

    • Southern Fried Shrimp
    • Honey Baked Turkey Wings
    • Crab Stuffed Salmon
    • Creamy Garlic Salmon and Shrimp

    Like Us on Facebook

    Cooked by Julie
    Recipes

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2021 Cooked by Julie

    7572 shares
     

    Loading Comments...