The Only Turkey Meatloaf (You Need)

If you’re familiar with Slavic cuisine, you definitely know what kotleti are — essentially Slavic meatballs! I love kotleti (and my boys do too!) but they are a little bit time consuming. This is where the best turkey loaf recipe comes in!

This turkey meatloaf recipe really cuts on the prep process. Compared to my favorite kotleti, the meatloaf is faster and actually better for you too (it’s baked instead of fried!). I find that meatloaf is one of those dishes that wraps around you like a warm blanket. It’s so comforting and the flavor always hits the spot!

How to Make the Best Turkey Meatloaf Recipe

Making this meatloaf takes only a little bit of stirring and shaping before the oven works its magic.

• Make the meat mix: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, onions, panko breadcrumbs, milk, mayonnaise, egg, fresh parsley, sea salt, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and garlic powder.
• Form the meatloaf: Line a loaf pan or baking sheet with foil. Press the meat mixture into the pan to form a loaf. I really like the Staub loaf pan, but this one is really affordable and good, too.
• Make the glaze: Whisk the ketchup and brown sugar together in a small bowl and spread the glaze on top.
• Bake: Bake the meatloaf uncovered at 375°F for 45 minutes. Remove the loaf and let it sit for 10 minutes before you slice it. Dig in and enjoy!

Pro Tips for the Juiciest Turkey Meatloaf

Whether you’re new to making this turkey meatloaf recipe or just looking for some tips to get the best loaf possible, here are my top tips.

• Avoid overmixing to ensure a moist loaf: Whatever you do, don’t overmix the ingredients. This is the top reason why meatloaf comes out too tough and dense. Once the ingredients are well combined, you’re good to go!
• Toss in your favorite fresh herbs: I love Italian parsley, but feel free to add in whatever herbs you love best. Dill, basil, oregano, and chives all work great.
• Add a little BBQ sauce to the glaze (optional): If you love a smokey meatloaf, add a teaspoon or two of BBQ sauce to the glaze.
• Make the loaf spicy (optional): Add a kick of heat to the meatloaf by popping in a couple shakes of red pepper flakes.
• Let the meatloaf rest: Try not to dig in right away — instead, let the meatloaf rest and cool slightly. This helps the juices stay in the meat!

Serving Turkey Meatloaf

My favorite sides to pair with this turkey meatloaf recipe are creamy mashed potatoes, boiled corn on the cob, and sourdough bread. If you’re watching your carbohydrates, pair the loaf with your favorite grilled vegetables, salad, garlic green beans, or air fryer broccoli. Don’t forget to use your leftovers to make classic sliced meatloaf sandwiches!

Storing & Reheating Turkey Meatloaf

Leftovers are the best part, right? Here are the ways I store my turkey meatloaf when we don’t eat it all right away.

• Refrigerator: To store for 3-4 days, place the meatloaf in an airtight container in the fridge. Make sure it’s airtight so the meat doesn’t dry out and lose all its moisture.
• Freezer: Let the meatloaf fully cool, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and pop it into a freezer-safe bag or container for up to a month. To thaw, pop it in the fridge.
• Reheating: To reheat an entire loaf, pop it in the oven covered in foil at 350°F until it is warmed through. For smaller pieces, the microwave or air fryer are good options.

More Meaty Recipes to Dig Into

• Chicken Roulade (The Best) – Slavic-style meatloaf with a hardboiled egg
• Dutch Oven Pot Roast – Tender and hearty chuck roast, carrots, mushrooms, and onions
• Turkey Tetrazzini – Turkey, sauteéd veggies and creamy pasta
• Chicken Loaf – Meatloaf with ground chicken

Recipe

The Only Turkey Meatloaf (You Need)

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Servings

6 servings

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin

This turkey meatloaf recipe is super moist and covered in a sweet brown sugar and ketchup glaze. It's crazy easy to throw together and is a family favorite!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground turkey
• 1/2 medium onion grated
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp fresh Italian parsley chopped
• 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 3 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Sauce

• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp brown sugar

US Units – Metric

Instructions

• Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and allow the mixture to rest for 10 minutes at room temperature.
  
• Place the meat mixture into a loaf pan, shaping it into a loaf with your hands.
  
• In a small bowl, whisk the ketchup and brown sugar together. Spread the glaze over the top of the loaf. Bake the meatloaf at 375°F for 45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  
• Remove the meatloaf from the pan and let it rest for 10 minutes. Slice and enjoy!
  

Nutrition Facts

The Only Turkey Meatloaf (You Need)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 287 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%

Saturated Fat 2g10%

Trans Fat 0.03g

Polyunsaturated Fat 2g

Monounsaturated Fat 2g

Cholesterol 113mg38%

Sodium 1231mg51%

Potassium 690mg20%

Carbohydrates 22g7%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 14g16%

Protein 38g76%

Vitamin A 456IU9%

Vitamin C 5mg6%

Calcium 50mg5%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.