Description

This Turkey Meatloaf recipe offers a delicious and lean alternative to classic meatloaf, combining ground turkey with flavorful seasonings, garlic, onion, and Pepper Jack cheese. Baked to perfection and topped with a tangy-sweet glaze made from ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and mustard, it’s a comforting and wholesome dish perfect for family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatloaf Ingredients

2 lbs ground turkey
1/2 cup milk
1 egg (beaten)
1 small onion (finely diced)
4 cloves garlic (minced)
1 cup bread crumbs
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 cup Pepper Jack cheese (diced into small cubes or shredded)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Meatloaf Glaze

1/3 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard

Instructions

Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the meatloaf.
Grease: Lightly grease a meatloaf pan with oil to prevent sticking. If you don’t have a meatloaf pan, you can use a baking sheet covered with aluminum foil, greased lightly with oil as well.
Mix Glaze: In a small bowl, combine ketchup, light brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and ground mustard thoroughly to make the meatloaf glaze. Set aside.
Combine Meatloaf Ingredients: In a large bowl, add ground turkey, milk, beaten egg, finely diced onion, minced garlic, bread crumbs, dried parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well with your hands until fully combined.
Add Cheese: Incorporate the Pepper Jack cheese cubes or shreds into the meat mixture and mix evenly to distribute.
Shape: Shape the meat mixture into a loaf and place it into the prepared meatloaf pan or onto the greased baking sheet.
Bake: Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for about 60 minutes. Halfway through baking, spoon the prepared meatloaf glaze evenly over the top, then continue baking for another 20-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160-165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Rest and Serve: After baking, remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest in the pan on a cooling rack for 10-15 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute for better flavor and easier slicing.

Notes

Using ground turkey makes this meatloaf a leaner and healthier option compared to ground beef.
Be sure not to overmix the meat mixture to keep the meatloaf tender.
Resting the meatloaf before slicing helps it hold together better and enhances juiciness.
You can substitute Pepper Jack cheese with mozzarella or cheddar if preferred.
Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it’s safely cooked.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60-90 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: turkey meatloaf, healthy meatloaf, baked meatloaf, ground turkey recipe, comforting dinner, meatloaf glaze