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Perfectly sliced, glistening turkey meatloaf resting on a cutting board after baking.

Turkey Meatloaf

The optimized turkey meatloaf is the result of dozens of test batches, designed to be the moistest and most flavorful version you will ever prepare by applying engineering principles to ground poultry.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 259 kcal

Equipment

  • Small bowl
  • Small skillet
  • medium bowl
  • Loaf pan or baking pan

Ingredients
  

Primary Structural and Moisture Components

  • 1/4 cup ketchup Plus 2 tbsp for glaze
  • 2 tbsp ketchup Used for the concentrated glaze
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 small onion Minced (sautéed)
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1.3 lb ground turkey 93 percent lean is preferred
  • 1/2 cup seasoned whole wheat or gluten-free breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp marjoram
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions
 

Preparation and Glaze Assembly

  • Preheat the oven to 350F.
  • In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp of the ketchup with the Worcestershire sauce to create a concentrated glaze.
  • In a small skillet, heat the olive oil and minced onion on low heat until they are translucent (3 to 5 minutes). Remove from the heat immediately.

Mixing and Forming

  • In a medium bowl, combine the turkey, sautéed onion, breadcrumbs, the remaining 1/4 cup of ketchup, salt, and marjoram. Use a light touch to gently toss and integrate the ingredients (do not overwork the mixture).
  • Place the mixture into a loaf pan or shape it into a freeform loaf and place it on a baking pan.
  • Spoon the ketchup and Worcestershire sauce mixture evenly over the top.

Baking and Resting

  • Bake uncovered for 55 to 60 minutes. The visual indicator of doneness is a firm top and a glaze that has darkened to a deep, rich red.
  • Remove from the oven and let the meatloaf sit for exactly 5 minutes before slicing to allow the internal juices to redistribute.

Notes

For optimal texture, use 93 percent lean ground turkey. If using a loaf pan, place parchment paper with overhanging edges at the bottom for easy removal. If the edges dry out, check for oven hot spots or ensure the loaf width is no more than four to five inches for even heat penetration. For a professional finish, use a pastry brush to apply the glaze evenly.

Nutrition

Calories: 259kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 37gFat: 5g
Keyword ground turkey, minimal mixing, moisture compensation, umami boosters
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