Turkey Meatloaf with Brown Sugar Glaze (Printable version)
Moist turkey meatloaf with a sweet and tangy brown sugar glaze—lighter comfort food that's just as satisfying.
# Ingredient List:
→ Meatloaf
01 - 1.5 lbs ground turkey (93% lean)
02 - 1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or whole wheat)
03 - 0.5 cup milk
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 0.5 cup finely chopped celery
08 - 0.5 cup finely chopped carrot
09 - 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
10 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
11 - 1.5 teaspoons salt
12 - 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning
→ Brown Sugar Glaze
14 - 0.5 cup ketchup
15 - 0.25 cup light brown sugar, packed
16 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a loaf pan.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk. Allow to sit for 3 minutes until softened.
03 - Add ground turkey, eggs, onion, garlic, celery, carrot, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and thyme to the breadcrumb mixture. Mix gently by hand until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
04 - Form the mixture into a loaf approximately 8 by 4 inches on the prepared baking sheet or press into the loaf pan.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar until smooth.
06 - Spread half of the glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
07 - Bake for 40 minutes in the preheated oven.
08 - Remove meatloaf from oven, spread the remaining glaze on top, and return to oven.
09 - Bake for an additional 15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
10 - Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The brown sugar glaze creates this incredible sticky-sweet crust that even my pickiest eater cant resist.
- Despite being made with lean turkey, it stays remarkably moist and tender thanks to the vegetable additions.
02 -
- Overmixing the meat mixture will result in a dense, tough meatloaf no matter how perfect your ingredients are.
- Adding grated or very finely chopped vegetables releases moisture during cooking, solving the common problem of dry turkey meatloaf.
03 -
- Line your loaf pan with parchment paper with overhanging edges to easily lift the entire meatloaf out after cooking.
- An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center showing 165°F is the only foolproof way to know your turkey meatloaf is safely cooked through while still remaining juicy.