Name: Turkey Meatloaf
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil; 2 Medium Onion; 4 Garlic Cloves; 1 kg Ground Turkey; 1¼ teaspoon Salt; 1 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper; 1 tablespoon Paprika; 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning; 2 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce; 1½ tablespoon Dijon Mustard; 2 Large Eggs; 100 g Breadcrumbs; Fresh Parsley; 150 g Ketchup; 65 g Light Brown Sugar; 2 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar; ½ teaspoon Dijon Mustard

A good meatloaf has a way of making everything slow down, and this turkey meatloaf is my favorite. It’s full of flavor, perfectly moist, and finished with a sweet, tangy glaze. The kitchen smells amazing while it bakes, and it’s always a dinner everyone looks forward to. Recipe includes a how-to video!

Recipe

Turkey Meatloaf Recipe

There’s something about turkey meatloaf that always feels like home. This is the kind of dinner that brings everyone to the table without needing to call them twice.

This easy turkey meatloaf with a sweet and tangy glaze is the one I always return to.

It’s lighter, full of flavor, and surprisingly moist for ground turkey.

This easy turkey meatloaf has quickly become a weeknight favorite at my house. It is filling, packed with flavor, and so simple to pull together.

Sautéing the onions and garlic first really locks in moisture and adds incredible depth, making this one of the best turkey meatloaf recipes I have tried.

Ground turkey can be tricky, but this mix keeps everything tender, juicy, and never dry.

The sweet and tangy glaze, made with ketchup, light brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of Dijon, seals it all in with a shiny, flavorful layer.

I usually pair it with mashed potatoes or roasted veggies, and honestly, the leftovers are just as good the next day, especially tucked into a sandwich.

Jump to:

⭐Why You'll Love This Turkey Meatloaf
🧾Turkey Meatloaf Ingredients
👩🏻‍🍳How to Make Turkey Meatloaf
🍽 What to Serve with Turkey Meatloaf
💭Tips for Recipe Success
🍛More Dinner Recipes!
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

⭐Why You'll Love This Turkey Meatloaf

Healthier Twist on a Classic: Ground turkey makes this meatloaf lighter, but it’s still just as satisfying and comforting.
Packed with Flavor: The mix of garlic, onion, Worcestershire, and Dijon makes every bite rich and delicious.
The Glaze is Everything: That sweet and tangy glaze bakes into a sticky topping that finishes the loaf perfectly.
Perfect for Busy Nights: It’s easy to prepare, hands-off while baking and makes enough to feed the whole family.
Great Leftovers: Slice it up the next day for sandwiches, or reheat it with some greens on the side, it reheats beautifully.

🧾Turkey Meatloaf Ingredients

Here’s the breakdown of what’s in this Turkey Meatloaf recipe:

For the Meatloaf:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: I always start with extra virgin olive oil to soften the onions and garlic; it gives them such a nice, mellow flavor that blends right into the meat.
Medium Onion: I chop them finely so they almost melt into the meatloaf. They add sweetness and keep everything moist.
Garlic Cloves: I love garlic in almost everything, and here it gives the turkey that little extra depth without being overpowering.
Ground Turkey: I like using turkey for a lighter, leaner version of meatloaf, it still turns out juicy, especially with the right mix of ingredients.
Salt and Black Pepper: Just the basics, but so important to bring everything to life. I season the meat well so it’s never bland.
Paprika: This gives the meatloaf a gentle warmth and a touch of color, I like how it rounds out the flavor.
Italian Seasoning: This blend adds a cozy, herby flavor that makes the whole loaf taste like home.
Worcestershire Sauce: I always add a splash, it brings a deep, savory flavor that’s hard to beat.
Dijon Mustard: A spoonful of this gives the meat a bit of tang and brightness that balances the richness.
Large Eggs: These hold everything together, and they also help keep the texture soft and tender.
Breadcrumbs: I use plain dry breadcrumbs, they soak up just enough moisture and help the loaf hold its shape without making it heavy.
Fresh Parsley: I like to chop in a good handful. It adds a fresh note and makes the loaf look extra pretty when you slice it.

Glaze for Turkey Meatloaf:

Ketchup: This is the base of the glaze and gives it that sweet, familiar taste that’s perfect with the turkey.
Light Brown Sugar: I prefer light sugar, it adds more richness and a slight molasses flavor that makes the glaze stand out.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Just enough to cut the sweetness and brighten the glaze. It keeps it from tasting too heavy.
Dijon Mustard: A little more here ties everything together with a hint of sharpness that works beautifully with the sugar and vinegar.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

👩🏻‍🍳How to Make Turkey Meatloaf

These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.

1. Sauté the Onions and Garlic: Cook onions in extra virgin olive oil until soft, stir in garlic for another minute, then let cool slightly.

2. Mix and Shape the Meatloaf: Combine ground turkey, sautéed onion mixture, seasonings, Worcestershire, Dijon, eggs, breadcrumbs, and parsley. Mix gently, spread the mixture in a lined loaf tin, set it on the tray, then remove the tin and paper.

3. Make the Glaze and Bake: Stir together ketchup, light brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon. Brush half over the meatloaf and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 40 minutes.

4. Glaze Again, Finish Baking, and Rest: Brush with remaining glaze, bake 15–20 more minutes until 74°C (165°F) inside. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

🍽 What to Serve with Turkey Meatloaf

When I make turkey meatloaf, I usually pair it with creamy mashed potatoes, they’re simple, comforting, and perfect for soaking up that glaze.

If I’m in the mood for something with a bit more bite, I roast potato wedges in the air fryer until they’re golden and crispy. A slice of crusty ciabatta or garlic bread always finds its way to the table, too.

To keep things fresh, I like a tomato burrata salad with extra virgin olive oil and a little salt; it’s light and adds a nice balance. Roasted green beans or carrots are also easy to throw in the oven while the meatloaf cooks.

And if we’re having dessert, I go with something light like lemon mousse to round out the meal just right.

💭Tips for Recipe Success

I Always Use a Meat Thermometer: It’s the easiest way to make sure the meatloaf is perfectly cooked without drying it out. I take it out as soon as it hits 74°C (165°F) in the center.

Go Easy when Mixing: I’ve found that mixing everything too much makes the meatloaf dense. I just use my hands and stop as soon as it all comes together; it keeps the texture nice and tender.

Let it Rest Before Slicing: This step really makes a difference. I give it about 10 minutes so the juices can settle, no more crumbly slices!

Double the Glaze if Your Family Loves it: Mine always asks for more, so I just make extra and serve it on the side. It’s the best part for dipping or adding to sandwiches the next day.

Leftovers are Gold: I usually save a few slices for lunch the next day, they’re perfect in a sandwich with a bit of extra glaze or even tucked into a wrap with crunchy lettuce.