Easy Turkey Meatloaf For Two – A Moist and Flavorful Classic

Turkey Meatloaf is an easy comfort food dinner made with simple ingredients and topped with a sweet and tangy ketchup glaze. It has all the familiar flavor of classic meatloaf, but ground turkey makes it a little lighter and perfect for a smaller household.

Although meatloaf is known as a family-size dinner, it is just as easy to make a smaller loaf. This recipe uses one pound of ground turkey and makes four modest servings. That gives two people enough for dinner with leftovers to enjoy the following day.

And leftover meatloaf is certainly something to look forward to. Reheat individual slices for another quick dinner, or tuck a cold slice between two pieces of bread for an easy meatloaf sandwich.

However, the biggest concern when making meatloaf with ground turkey is keeping it from becoming dry. Because turkey is leaner than most ground beef, it needs a few moisture-rich ingredients and careful cooking. Grated onion, milk, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce keep the inside tender while adding plenty of flavor.

Then a simple ketchup glaze goes over the loaf before it bakes. The glaze becomes slightly sticky in the oven and gives every slice that classic meatloaf taste.

Why You Will Love This Turkey Meatloaf For Two

This is the kind of uncomplicated dinner that works well on a busy weeknight but is comforting enough for Sunday supper. Most of the ingredients are basic pantry and refrigerator staples, and the meatloaf takes only about 15 minutes to prepare.

There is no need to precook the onion or use a long list of seasonings. Grating the onion allows it to soften as the meatloaf bakes. It also releases juice directly into the mixture, which adds moisture and distributes the onion flavor throughout the loaf.

The recipe is also easy to prepare ahead of time. Assemble the loaf in the morning, cover it and refrigerate it until you are ready to bake. Add the glaze right before it goes into the oven.

If you enjoy easy, old-fashioned dinners, be sure to try my Easy Meatloaf Muffins. They require only three ingredients and cook much faster than a traditional loaf.

The Best Ground Turkey To Use

Ground turkey is generally sold in several different fat percentages. For the best Turkey Meatloaf For Two, I recommend using 93 percent lean ground turkey.

It contains enough fat to help the meatloaf remain moist while still being leaner than standard ground beef. Extra-lean ground turkey breast can be used, but the finished loaf may be slightly drier.

If extra-lean turkey is what you have, add another tablespoon of milk to the mixture. It is also especially important not to overcook it.

You will need one pound of ground turkey for this recipe. Although that may sound like a lot for two people, the meatloaf will shrink slightly as it cooks and makes four reasonable servings. Leftovers will keep well in the refrigerator or freezer.

Ingredients Needed For Easy Turkey Meatloaf

Ground Turkey

Use one pound of 93 percent lean ground turkey. Let it remain cold until you are ready to combine the ingredients. Cold meat is easier to shape and is less likely to become overworked during mixing.

Breadcrumbs And Milk

Plain breadcrumbs give the meatloaf structure and prevent it from falling apart when sliced. Before adding them to the turkey, combine the breadcrumbs with milk and let the mixture sit for a few minutes.

This creates a soft paste called a panade. It may sound fancy, but it is simply a reliable way to keep meatloaf tender and moist.

You can use plain traditional breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs. If using seasoned breadcrumbs, reduce the added Italian seasoning so the flavor does not become too strong.

Egg

One egg binds the turkey and breadcrumbs together. Lightly beat it before adding it so it can be incorporated without requiring too much mixing.

Grated Onion

Finely grated onion works better than large diced pieces in a small meatloaf. The onion practically melts into the meat while it cooks, leaving behind moisture and flavor without noticeable chunks.

Place a box grater over a plate or bowl to catch both the grated onion and its juice. Add all of it to the meatloaf mixture.

Ketchup And Worcestershire Sauce

Ketchup adds tomato flavor and a little sweetness to the meat mixture. Worcestershire sauce provides the deep, savory flavor that ground turkey needs. Together, they help the lighter meat taste more like the traditional meatloaf many of us grew up eating.

Seasonings

Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and black pepper provide plenty of flavor without overwhelming the meatloaf. If you prefer a smoky flavor, add a small pinch of smoked paprika.

How To Make Turkey Meatloaf For Two

Begin by preheating the oven to 350°F. Line a small rimmed baking sheet or baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Lightly coat the surface with nonstick cooking spray.

Although you can bake the meatloaf in a small loaf pan, I prefer to shape it by hand on a baking sheet. This allows the hot air to circulate around the sides so more of the glaze caramelizes. It also prevents the meatloaf from sitting in any liquid that cooks out of the turkey.

In a medium bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs and milk. Let the mixture sit for about five minutes so the crumbs can absorb the liquid.

Then add the beaten egg, grated onion and its juice, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Stir until everything is evenly combined.

Add the ground turkey and gently mix with a fork or clean hands. Stop mixing as soon as the ingredients are incorporated. Overmixing compacts the meat and can make the finished meatloaf firm or rubbery.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet. Shape it into a small loaf approximately 7 inches long, 4 inches wide and 2 inches tall. Try to keep the thickness even so the meat cooks at the same rate from end to end.

An Easy Three-Ingredient Meatloaf Glaze

The glaze is made with ketchup, brown sugar and Dijon mustard. It is sweet, tangy and very similar to the topping found on traditional meatloaf.

Stir the three ingredients together in a small bowl. Spread about half of the glaze over the top and sides of the meatloaf before placing it in the oven.

Bake for 30 minutes. Then spread the remaining glaze over the loaf and return it to the oven. Adding the glaze in two stages creates a thicker topping and prevents all of it from sliding off before the meat begins to set.

Continue baking for another 15 to 25 minutes, or until the center reaches 165°F when checked with an instant-read digital thermometer.

Cooking time can vary depending on the exact thickness of the loaf and how accurately the oven maintains its temperature. Therefore, use the internal temperature rather than appearance alone to determine when the turkey is safely cooked.

The Secret To Moist Turkey Meatloaf

There are three important steps that keep this meatloaf from becoming dry. First, use ground turkey that contains a little fat rather than turkey breast that is nearly fat-free.

Second, mix the meat as little as possible. You want the ingredients evenly distributed, but you do not want to squeeze or knead the mixture.

Finally, remove the loaf from the oven as soon as its center reaches 165°F. Ground turkey needs to reach that temperature for food safety, but continuing to bake it well beyond that point will force out moisture.

After removing the Turkey Meatloaf For Two from the oven, let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. The resting time allows the juices to settle back into the meat. It also gives the loaf time to firm up so the slices hold together.

What To Serve With Turkey Meatloaf

Mashed potatoes are the obvious choice when you want a classic meat-and-potatoes dinner. Spoon a little extra ketchup glaze over the potatoes or serve brown gravy on the side.

Roasted baby potatoes, scalloped potatoes or a baked potato would also work well. For something lighter, serve the meatloaf with mashed cauliflower or a simple side salad.

Green beans, peas, roasted carrots, broccoli and corn are all easy vegetable options. I often choose frozen steam-in-the-bag vegetables when I want to keep dinner as simple as possible.

Storing And Reheating Leftover Meatloaf

Let leftover meatloaf cool, then place it in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to four days. You can store the loaf whole, but individual slices are convenient for reheating.

To reheat a slice in the microwave, place it on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second increments until warmed through. The damp towel will help prevent the meat from drying out.

You can also place the slices in a covered baking dish with a tablespoon of broth or water. Reheat them in a 325°F oven until warm.

To freeze the leftovers, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw the slices overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

This Turkey Meatloaf For Two delivers the familiar flavor of a classic comfort food dinner in a smaller size. Best of all, the simple ingredients and easy preparation make it a recipe that can become part of your regular dinner rotation.

Enjoy! Mary

Follow My Facebook Page For Great Recipes For Two! I Cook For Two Facebook Page

To receive FREE recipes delivered directly to your email, be sure to sign up for the iCookfortwo newsletter. A sign up form is located in the middle of this article. If you have any questions, comments, or want to submit an idea for a recipe for two, feel free to email at mary@icookfortwo.com