Fitness / April 15, 2023

Easy Turkey Meatloaf Recipe

There’s only one thing better than the comfort food that is meatloaf: HEALTHY meatloaf! Get tucked into this delicious cold-weather favorite with wholesome ingredients and rich sauce.

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Growing up I always thought you weren’t supposed to like meatloaf. Kids on TV and in movies seemed to enjoy playing with their meals more than eating them. And for a while I understood where they were coming from. Some meatloafs can be boring and bland. Then I realized, as with most dishes, it’s what you do with them that matters. In this case, we’ve gone with paprika, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar to add that bit of kick while improving the nutrition by substituting turkey for beef. It all makes for a wonderful dish you’ll love to serve to your family.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

It’s a winner for a cozy weekend dinner. While it tastes terrific in the summer, there’s something about a meatloaf on a dark January evening that makes it taste even better!
It’s easy. It all goes into one pan and then into the oven. The prep work is a cinch.
Maybe it’s the kindergartner in me but I love to get stuck into making meatloaf. Sinking your hands into the meat, combining the ingredients… it’s a crafty dish your kids might like to help out with.
We’ve replaced the traditional ground beef with turkey, which contains less fat. And, thanks to the other ingredients and the sauce, we promise you won’t notice a difference.

Is This Healthy?

This turkey meatloaf is a lighter and healthier spin on classic comfort food. So relatively speaking, yes, it is healthy.
It’s packed with lean meat, which translates to less fat and fewer calories than its beef-based counterpart. You also have the option of lean or extra-lean turkey meat, depending on how important this aspect of the dish is to you.
It is a good source of protein and B vitamins. Protein is great for muscle development. It will also make you feel full longer, which should help curb those late-night cravings.
The sauce contains brown sugar — perhaps the only item on the Ingredients list to be wary of for those on a diet. If this is the case, replace it with a sugar substitute. Honey, agave syrup, coconut sugar, or maple syrup — used at a 1:1 ratio — would do the trick, though the taste of the meatloaf will change. You could also use granulated stevia or monk fruit sweetener.
Ketchup also contains sugar. Replace it with tomato sauce, if you want to minimize the sugar content.

INGREDIENTS

1 lb ground turkey
1 large egg
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp milk
½ cup breadcrumbs
fresh parsley, chopped
½ tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp paprika powder
1 onion, chopped
pinch of salt and black pepper

the Topping:

1 tbsp ketchup
½ tsp brown sugar
¼ tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp apple cider vinegar

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and grease it with some olive oil. In a small bowl whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Set aside for the glazing.

Heat the olive oil in a skillet on MEDIUM-HIGH and cook the onions and garlic until fragrant. Set aside. Soak the breadcrumbs in the milk for 10 minutes then squeeze out excess milk from the breadcrumbs. Set aside.

Assemble

In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, egg, Dijon mustard, cooked onions and garlic, breadcrumbs, and paprika powder, and season with salt and pepper. Add 1 tablespoon of the glaze and combine well. Shape the meat mixture into a meatloaf and place it on the prepared baking dish. Spread the glazing over the meatloaf evenly.

Cook

Cook the meatloaf in the oven for at least 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let it cool. Slice the meatloaf and garnish with chopped parsley. Enjoy!

what to serve with turkey meatloaf

Crock-Pot Sweet Potatoes – This is a low-maintenance side dish that would go really well with the meatloaf. You could even add some of the mustard and brown sugar from the meatloaf on the potatoes.

Parsnip Fries – These fries are crispy and delicious! A healthy alternative to french fries that is naturally gluten-free and tasty!

Apple Coleslaw – This slaw is a light and crisp spin on a classic! Full of crunchy fruit and veggies covered in a tangy-sweet dressing!

Healthy Broccoli Apple Salad with Greek Yogurt – This salad is an easy, healthy side dish that even kids will like! It’s protein packed and makes great leftovers!

FAQs

Why is my meatloaf dry?

Use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of the loaf. If it’s cooked too long it will become dry. The perfect internal temperature should reach 160°F. Also, see the following question.

what are the breadcrumbs for in meatloaf?

The breadcrumbs act like a binding agent along with the eggs. Breadcrumbs are soaked in milk and keep the loaf moist. Always soak your breadcrumbs in milk before mixing them with the meat to get the best results.

Can I use another glaze for my meatloaf?

Of course! Feel free to use barbecue sauce instead of ketchup or use tomato sauce for a healthier version!

How to store turkey meatloaf

Let the meatloaf cool completely. It’s up to you whether you slice it now or store it whole. You can either wrap it in plastic or aluminum, or place it in an airtight container. The meatloaf will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’d like to eat it again, warm it on LOW in the oven, microwave, or on the stove so as not to overcook the meatloaf and dry it out. If from frozen, let it thaw in the fridge overnight.