Easy Turkey Meatloaf – Use ground turkey to make this flavorful, moist, tender and delicious turkey meatloaf recipe. Great comfort food that is healthy and tasty!
This post is sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
Today, I am back working with the Arthritis Foundation. You may remember when I shared my Indian Lentil Soup and Cauliflower Gnocchi Carbonara in partnership with them last year. Arthritis is a disease that affects 1 in 4 people in the United States. My mom has suffered from arthritis for as long as I can remember, so I’m taking this opportunity once again to spread awareness about it since my mom is one of more than 54 million Americans that suffer from arthritis.
The Arthritis Foundation is calling upon those with arthritis to share their voice through the Live Yes! Arthritis Network, which provides personalized help and support to adults living with all types of arthritis and rheumatic conditions and parents or guardians of children living with arthritis. The programs offers opportunities for connection, education and empowerment via Live Yes! Connect Groups, Online Community and conferences
The Live Yes! INSIGHTS is going to change the future of arthritis forever. By asking those affected by Arthritis to take a 10-minute assessment where they will share their overall arthritis experience – answering questions relating to their symptoms, pain levels and how arthritis affects their function and mobility – we will get a better sense of what people experience on a daily basis. The data we collect will then show decision-makers the realities of living with arthritis – ultimately paving the way for change by breaking down barriers to care, accelerating research and creating resources that will make a difference in people’s lives.
I know the one thing that has helped my mom a lot with managing her arthritis on a daily basis is her diet. Eating a healthy diet, reducing sugar, and upping spices with anti-inflammatory properties has definitely helped her to continue to see be active and in the kitchen cooking.
I recently had the chance to connect with Sarah who has greatly benefited from using the Live Yes! Arthritis Network. Sarah was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus about 8 years ago. She is a wife, mother of 3, and has 2 grandchildren. Her arthritis is so bad she can no longer work without causing major flare-ups. Thankfully her daughter is a junior in high school and still lives at home. Her family is a huge support to her as they step up to help cook, clean, grocery shop, and do other things that Sarah is no longer able to do.
The thing that Sarah said that really hit home was that you can have the most amazing support system in the world, but they still don’t know how you feel. That is definitely the case with my mom. I see her struggle, and can help her, but I have no idea what it really feels like. Sarah has been able to connect with other people who have arthritis and systemic lupus who really understand and know what it feels like on a daily basis. Making those connections and having that outlet, really helps take the burden off your shoulders.
Find Your Yes – Join the Live Yes! Arthritis Network from Arthritis Foundation on Vimeo.
Sarah gave me some really great tips for around the kitchen if this is something you suffer from
- Sit on a stool while cooking. This just reduces so much stress on your body, and will make a huge difference
- Go to the salad bar at your grocery store. Here you can get fresh chopped fruits and veggies that you don’t have to chop on your own.
- Use the Instant Pot or Crock Pot. There are times of the day that you feel great and can get a meal started. Then later, your family can help finish and get it on the table if you can’t.
- Track your food. Diet is a big part of a lot of diseases, but like everything, everyone is different. So track what you eat, the source of your meat, was it fresh, frozen or canned food etc. See if there is a pattern to what you ate and how you feel.
Meatloaf can have a reputation for being kind of dry and tough. The trick is to have a fool proof recipe that is full of ingredients to keep everything moist and tender. My Best Meatloaf Recipe turns out perfectly every time. But now it is time to break out the ground turkey and make a healthier version.
I use ground turkey a lot when a recipe calls for ground beef. If you are adding a bunch of seasonings to the mix, you can almost never tell. But it is lighter and healthier, and you don’t have to feel guilty about it. This ground turkey meatloaf comes together in just a few minutes and then bakes to perfection for a delicious dinner any night of the week.
How to Make Turkey Meatloaf
- Mix Together – All of the ingredients get mixed together in a large bowl. You want to make sure everything is combined, but not over worked too much. If it is over worked it can be tough and not nearly as tender.
- Form Into Loaf – Place the meatloaf mixture on a lined baking tray and form into a loaf. I like to just use my hands and form into a loaf.
- Sauce – Mix together the ingredients for the sauce and brush over the entire surface of the meatloaf.
- Bake – Bake until the meat is good through. You can use a meat thermometer and cook until 160 degrees F.
Can You Freeze Meatloaf
Yes, you definitely can freeze it.
- If you have leftovers, I like to wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and then store in a freezer safe bag. Then I can just thaw a slice at a time to use when I need it.
- You can freeze and entire meatloaf as well. Make a double batch and then freeze one loaf for later. Wrap in foil, without the sauce, and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. The bake thaw overnight before following the recipe to brush with sauce and bake.
Can You Make Meatloaf Ahead
You can definitely make meatloaf ahead of time. It is great to freeze or even assemble the day before you want to bake it. You can store it covered in the fridge and then brush with sauce before you want to bake it.
How Long to Cook Turkey Meatloaf
It usually takes about an hour to full cook. I like to insert a meat thermometer until it reaches 160 degrees F. Then let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing to serve.
What to Serve with Turkey Meatloaf
- Scalloped Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
- Sauteed Asparagus
- Loaded Baked Potatoes
- Loaded Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Tips for Turkey Meatloaf
- I like to grate the onion for this recipe. It gets fully incorporated with the meat that way and really helps to make sure nothing drys out.
- I use 90% or 93% lean ground turkey. You do not want to use anything leaner or the meatloaf will turn out dry and tough. You need just a little bit of fat to keep things juicy.
- Cooking the meatloaf on a lined baking tray with a free form loaf does speed up the cooking time a little. You can definitely cook in a loaf pan, but it could take 10-15 minutes longer to cook through in the center.
- Make sure to fully coat the meatloaf in the sauce. Brushing it with the sauce really helps to lock in the moisture.
If you think meatloaf is dry and boring it is time to rethink that! This turkey meatloaf recipe is moist, tender, and full of lots of flavor. Your family is going to love this and you are going to love how easy it is to make.
Like I am sure many people are, Sarah was hesitant to reach out and join the Live Yes! network at first. She slowly started going to a couple events to learn more about what she had and how to deal with it. And through that process she has made connections that naturally grew over time. Having those connections has helped so much, and is so important for anyone suffering from arthritis to make.
There are more than 54 million Americans with arthritis and I know this disease hits home for many of you and sometimes holds you back from cooking and experiencing life. Like Sarah, find your yes by joining the Live Yes! Arthritis Network to make connections and find support online and in person. And be sure to check out this arthritis-friendly Turkey Meatloaf Recipe so you can still enjoy your love of cooking and time with family!
More Easy Dinner Recipes
- Chicken Madeira
- Homemade Lasagna
- Italian Baked Chicken
- Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin
- Fiesta Lime Chicken
- Baked Chicken Parmesan
- Smothered Pork Chops
Easy Turkey Meatloaf
Easy Turkey Meatloaf - Use ground turkey to make this flavorful, moist, tender and delicious turkey meatloaf recipe. Great comfort food that is healthy and tasty!
Ingredients
- 2 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated onion
- 2 eggs
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Glaze
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking tray with foil.
- In a large bowl mix together all of the ingredients for the meatloaf until well blended.
- Pour meat mixture onto prepared baking tray and form into a loaf.
- Mix together the ingredients for the glaze. Pour over meatloaf and make sure entire surface is coated.
- Bake for 55-60 minutes until internal temp is 160 degrees.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing to serve.
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 396Total Fat 22gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 13gCholesterol 167mgSodium 630mgCarbohydrates 18gFiber 2gSugar 8gProtein 32g
I created a fun group on Facebook, and I would love for you to join us! It’s a place where you can share YOUR favorite recipes, ask questions, and see what’s new at Dinners, Dishes and Desserts (so that you never miss a new recipe)! If you’d like to check it out, you can request to join HERE.
Be sure to follow me on Instagram and tag #dinnersdishes so I can see all the wonderful DINNERS, DISHES, AND DESSERTS recipes YOU make!
Connect with Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts!
Be sure to follow me on my social media, so you never miss a post!
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
The post Easy Turkey Meatloaf appeared first on Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts.
Leave a comment