Moist flavorful turkey loaf (Printable Format)
Moist turkey loaf with herbs, vegetables, and a tangy glaze, ideal for easy, wholesome dinners.
# What You Need:
→ Meat
01 - 1.5 lbs ground lean turkey
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium carrot, grated
05 - 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
→ Binders and Seasonings
06 - 0.5 cup whole wheat or regular breadcrumbs
07 - 0.25 cup milk
08 - 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
09 - 2 tbsp ketchup
10 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
11 - 1 tsp dried thyme
12 - 0.5 tsp dried oregano
13 - 0.75 tsp salt
14 - 0.5 tsp ground black pepper
→ Topping
15 - 2 tbsp ketchup
16 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - In a large bowl, gently mix ground turkey, onion, garlic, carrot, celery, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper until just combined.
03 - Transfer mixture to prepared pan and shape into an even loaf.
04 - Mix ketchup with Dijon mustard and spread evenly over loaf surface.
05 - Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
06 - Allow loaf to rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It slices cleanly and stays tender, perfect for sandwiches or plate dinners without the guilt of traditional meatloaf.
- The ketchup-mustard glaze caramelizes just enough to give you that comfort food moment with lean protein underneath.
02 -
- Don't skip the resting period or you'll end up with crumbled turkey instead of clean slices—those 10 minutes are everything.
- A meat thermometer removes all the guessing, and 165°F is your magic number for poultry safety and peace of mind.
03 -
- Grate your carrot so it disappears into the mixture and adds moisture invisibly—chunky pieces don't integrate the same way.
- Let your meat and ingredients sit at room temperature for a few minutes before mixing, they combine more smoothly and evenly that way.