Moist Flavorful Turkey Loaf (Printable)

Tender turkey loaf blended with aromatic vegetables and simple herbs for a wholesome meal option.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meat

01 - 1.5 lbs ground lean turkey

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium carrot, grated
05 - 1 stalk celery, finely chopped

→ Binders & Seasonings

06 - 0.5 cup whole wheat or regular breadcrumbs
07 - 0.25 cup milk
08 - 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
09 - 2 tbsp ketchup
10 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
11 - 1 tsp dried thyme
12 - 0.5 tsp dried oregano
13 - 0.75 tsp salt
14 - 0.5 tsp ground black pepper

→ Topping

15 - 2 tbsp ketchup
16 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - In a large bowl, mix ground turkey, onion, garlic, carrot, celery, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, 2 tablespoons ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir gently until just combined.
03 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and shape into an even loaf.
04 - Mix ketchup with Dijon mustard in a small bowl and spread evenly over the top of the loaf.
05 - Bake for 55 to 60 minutes until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
06 - Allow the loaf to rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's genuinely moist and forgiving, even if you've never made a loaf before.
  • Leftovers transform into incredible sandwiches the next day, making meal prep almost effortless.
  • The whole thing comes together in under 90 minutes, start to finish.
02 -
  • Overmixing is the enemy; treat the mixture like you would cake batter—just until combined, then stop.
  • That 10-minute rest isn't optional; it's the difference between a loaf that slices cleanly and one that crumbles.
03 -
  • Mix your wet ingredients separately before combining with the meat; it distributes moisture more evenly and prevents overmixing.
  • A meat thermometer is your best friend here—it removes all guesswork and ensures perfectly cooked loaf every time.

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