Turkey Meatloaf

This meatloaf is a simple, but delicious and healthy dish to make for the family. Using ground turkey and pork gives a lighter texture than the typical ground beef meatloaf, and allows the added herbs and spices to shine.  I am doubling the recipe so that one of the meatloaves can be frozen to pull out easily on a busy day.  

Consider baking some potatoes alongside this meatloaf for an easy yet perfect side dish. A roasted green vegetable such as broccoli or asparagus would be a good accompaniment, too.   Finally, pop in some biscuits or cornbread while the oven is going good to round out the meal.

So let's get started!

Step 1:  Gather and prepare ingredients.

2 pound ground turkey (may substitute half with ground pork)

1  1/3 cup dried bread crumbs

1 chopped onion ( or 4 tbsp dried minced onion)
1 chopped green or red bell pepper (optional)

1  1/2 cup whole milk

2 eggs

2 tsp soy sauce (optional)

1 tsp seasoned pepper

fresh black pepper

Sauce:

2/3 cup ketchup

4 tbsp. brown sugar

2 tbsp. brown mustard

To make bread crumbs, preheat oven to 400 and then turn off.   Place torn pieces of bread in the oven , close the door and let dry out for a couple of hours.  Grind in a food processor.

Step 2: Make the meatloaves.
Combine everything in a large bowl, except the mustard and ketchup (which will be used for the sauce).

Mix together gently and don't mix anymore than you have to...just until everything is incorporated.

Place the mixture on a foil-lined pan for easy clean-up.  Shape into two loaves (one will be frozen for later use).  Make a light indentation or ditch on the top for the sauce.

Step 3:  Make the sauce. 
2/3 cup ketchup
4 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp yellow mustard
Mix together and spread on the top of the meatloaf in the ditch. Coat the entire top of the meatloaf.  Each bite will have a bit of the sauce on it using this method.

At this point, one of the loaves may be wrapped up, labeled and frozen for a later time.

Step 4:  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 40-45 minutes.  Cook to an internal temp of 160 degrees.  Let rest for 10 minutes or so tented with aluminum foil. 

Place the meatloaf on a platter with a garnish or go ahead and plate with the side dishes.

 There you are!  I hope you enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by!

Turkey Meatloaf

Ingredients:
2 pounds ground turkey (may substitute ground pork for half of the turkey)

1 1/3 cup dried bread crumbs

1 chopped onion ( or 4 tbsp dried minced onion)

1 chopped green or red bell pepper (optional)
1 1/2 cup whole milk

2 eggs

2 tsp soy sauce (optional)

1 tsp seasoned pepper

fresh black pepper

Sauce:

2/3 cup ketchup

4 tbsp. brown sugar

2 tbsp. brown mustard
Instructions
Combine everything in a large bowl, except the mustard and ketchup (which will be used for the sauce).

Mix together gently and don't mix anymore than you have to. Just until everything is incorporated.
Place the mixture on foil lined pan for easy clean-up.  Shape into two loaves (one will be frozen for later use).  Make a light indentation or ditch on the top for the sauce.
Mix together sauce and spread on the top of the meatloaf in the ditch. Coat the entire top of the meatloaf.  Each bite will have a bit of the sauce on it using this method.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 40-45 minutes.  Cook to an internal temp of 160 degrees. Let rest for 10 minutes or so tented with aluminum foil.