Turkey Meatloaf with Ketchup (Printable)

Moist turkey loaf topped with a tangy ketchup glaze for a comforting dinner.

# What You Need:

→ Meat & Eggs

01 - 2 lbs ground turkey
02 - 2 large eggs

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
06 - 1 medium carrot, grated

→ Binders & Seasonings

07 - 1 cup breadcrumbs
08 - 1/3 cup milk
09 - 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
10 - 1 1/2 tsp salt
11 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
12 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme

→ Ketchup Glaze

13 - 1/2 cup ketchup
14 - 2 tbsp brown sugar
15 - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
16 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a loaf pan.
02 - In a large bowl, gently mix ground turkey, eggs, onion, garlic, celery, carrot, breadcrumbs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and thyme until just combined without overmixing.
03 - Form the mixture into a loaf shape on the prepared baking sheet or press into the loaf pan.
04 - Whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl.
05 - Spread half of the glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
06 - Bake for 40 minutes at 375°F.
07 - Remove meatloaf from oven and spread the remaining glaze over the top.
08 - Return to oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the top is caramelized.
09 - Allow the loaf to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's leaner than beef meatloaf but stays so tender you'd never guess it's turkey.
  • The glaze tastes like it took hours, but comes together while you're prepping the pan.
  • Leftovers transform into the best cold sandwiches the next day.
02 -
  • Don't walk away while the glaze is on—it can blacken quickly in the final minutes, so keep an eye on it.
  • The meatloaf will continue cooking slightly while it rests, so pulling it at 165°F internal temp prevents it from becoming dry.
  • If your glaze seems too thin, use it anyway; it will reduce and thicken as the meatloaf bakes.
03 -
  • Mix the glaze ingredients together while the meatloaf is in the oven for the first 40 minutes—it saves a step and keeps you relaxed.
  • If you're using a loaf pan, run a thin knife around the edges before turning it out; this prevents the delicate turkey from tearing.

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