This Turkey Meatloaf is delicate, flavorful and loaded with mushrooms! It’s absolutely wonderful the day you make it and maybe even better stacked in meatloaf sandwiches the next day.
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You can assemble this gluten free recipe in just minutes with ground turkey, fresh mushrooms and a handful of other ingredients that you probably have on hand. You can even double it, as I sometimes do, if you’re having company over or want to surprise someone with a comforting meal.
Table of Contents
Photography Challenges
My first attempt at a photograph of this turkey meatloaf involved slices on a plate with a salad. I thought it looked okay: maybe, kinda. So I sent the photo to someone who’s critique I trust (aka, my best friend Mary), she replied simply: “No.” In my second attempt (above), I slathered the loaf with ketchup (optional for serving) and thought it looked good enough. You see, photographing meatloaf is a bit of a challenge.
Then Keith had the idea to photograph it as part of something else like a sandwich with gobs of mayonnaise and chips and beer. His motivation for this suggestion had nothing to do with the fact that he would get to eat said sandwich, chips and beer, I’m sure.
And now I feel like I need to add disclaimers to the following photos: “serving suggestion only” and “cartoon.” (Here’s the recipe for my favorite Meatloaf Sandwich.)
I asked my talented friend Brooke to see what she could do with meatloaf as a drawing and I thought she did a lovely job.
Serving Suggestions
So, about this turkey meatloaf: it’s a knock-out. I try to test recipes at least a few times before posting them. But this recipe I’ve made dozens of times and, if I may be bold, have tweaked it to perfection. (I also make it with ground beef in this Meatloaf with Oatmeal) I typically serve it with Mashed Red Potatoes, Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes or Brioche Dinner Rolls and a simple side like Iceberg Wedge Salad or Arugula Salad.
And if you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, it’s even better the next day on a sandwich with gobs of mayonnaise. and chips. and a beer.
How to Make Turkey Meatloaf
Step 1: Preheat oven to 325˚F. To a large bowl add: beaten eggs, ketchup, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper, onion, mushrooms, rolled oats and parsley; stir to combine. Mix in ground turkey with your hands until just combined. Transfer mixture to loaf pan, press to fill pan and spread top into an even layer with a spatula.
Step 2: Bake 1 to 1 1/4 hours until the internal temperature reaches 165˚F. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Slice and serve.
Turkey Meatloaf
Video
Equipment
- standard 9" x 5" loaf pan
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 onion finely chopped
- 8 ounces mushrooms coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
- 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey dark meat – breast would be too dry
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325ºF.
- Set out a standard 9" x 5" loaf pan.
- Add eggs to a large bowl and whisk until lightly beaten. Add next 8 ingredients (ketchup through parsley) and stir to combine. With your hands mix in ground turkey, just until combined. (Don’t over-mix or your meatloaf will be tough.) Transfer mixture to loaf pan and press to fill, smoothing the top with a spatula or spoon.
- Bake until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Allow to rest for a few minutes before serving. Slice and serve.
Notes
- You’ll need a standard 9″ x 5″ loaf pan for this recipe.
- If you like your turkey meatloaf topped with ketchup, slather away! Keith’s not a fan, so I don’t typically add more ketchup (unless I need to take a photo, ahem.)
- Slicing tip: After your meatloaf has cooled a bit, use two metal spatulas, one on each end of the loaf pan to carefully lift the meatloaf out and transfer to a cutting board for slicing.
- If you double this recipe to cook two meatloafs at once, you may need to increase the cooking time by 15 or 20 minutes. You want the internal temperature to reach 160˚F.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love meatloaf! And it looks great in the sandwich! Awesome pictures!
Thank you, Mira!
LOL you are a brave women to photograph meatloaf. I did that once and wouldn’t post it because I swore my meatloaf looked like catfood from a tin. It tasted great but I couldn’t get a photo that didn’t look like canned cat or dog food. I like the cartoon too. 🙂
Meatloaf makes me happy.
Yes, canned pet food is about what meatloaf looks like. 🙂 But it tastes so darn good! 🙂
I would eat this sandwich any day! The pics looks great and all that matters is that it tastes delicious, right?
Yes, absolutely! Thanks, Ashley. 😉
Oooh..I just had to giggle at your opening line!! YES meatloaf is the ultimate brown food challenge! I feel like I should make meatloaf just to try to experiment with photos. I love the cartoon you have used! But really, I didn’t need it because I know what an incredible cook you are 🙂
Really interested to see you used oats instead of breadcrumbs in this. Can I ask why? Genuinely curious! N x
Thanks, Nagi, you’re very sweet! It’s funny – I always use breadcrumbs in meatballs and oats in meatloaf – no real reason. The oats are unnoticeable in this – they help hold the loaf together but don’t have a presence texture-wise.
YES! a meatloaf sandwich. now thats what the weekends were made for. a beer, a hearty sandwich and some chips. awesome!
Thank you, Kelsey!
No apologies needed for the serving suggestion, Marissa. It’s perfect! I feel like you need to transport it to a nice ‘beer garden’ (like we have over here in Europe) – it would go down a storm, I’m sure!
Sounds good to me, Helen!
I have tried to photograph meatloaf before, so I know how unphotogenic it truly is! You made it look stunning though, and this is definitely a sandwich I’d love to reach in and grab a bite of. I love the onions and mushrooms in there!
Thank you so much, Faith! 🙂
I love everything about this meatloaf and your photo- great job to you and Keith! That drawing is wonderful and your line “…so that they can have an ugly but delicious dinner too. :)” really cracked me up!
Love that you noticed that, Sonali. It’s true though, ugly but delicious. 🙂
I absolutely *LOVE* this post. First of all, that sandwich is magazine worthy! All I know is that I want to reach through that screen, grab it and eat it. Phenomenal photo! And, I adore the drawing! You need to have more of those in your posts Marissa – that’s totally fun. And I can’t draw stick person, so I’m completely impressed. Pinned (the meatloaf sandwich)! xoxo
You’re so sweet, Kristi! Thank you.
Some of the best comfort foods can be the hardest to photograph! Cut yourself some slack 🙂 This looks delicious.
So true! Thanks, Erin. 😉
Hehe that drawing of meatloaf is excellent! And I like the sandwich idea piled high too. I shot a similar photograph of a different sandwich that way too. I can’t believe how easy this is to make and oats are a great addition. Kind of like a non offal version of haggis!
I’ve never tried haggis, Lorraine. Now I want to!
Marissa, I love this meatloaf!!! and I actually love Keith’s idea to make the sandwich with gobs of mayo, chips and beer. So did he get to inhale the sandwich after you shot it? 🙂 I always consult my sister Grace when I’m on the fence about photos.. and she is always completely honest with me . . sometimes, which I am thankful for and other times, not so much 😛
It’s great (and painful at times) to have people who will give you an honest critique, isn’t it!? And yes, we inhaled the sandwich as soon as I took the last shot! 🙂
Guess what I’m making for dinner!!! Maybe with some of your salt and vinegar smashed potatoes on the side?! Yum
Yum! Love the combo, Mary!
Ugh, meatloaf is the WORST! I’d say your hubs is a genius though, because THIS looks good. And what better way to eat meatloaf than in between two slices of bread. 🙂
Thanks, Nicole! 😉
I’m with Keith, I love it the next day in a sandwich and this looks great. Personally not a mayo fan, but another condiment like harissa or a spicy catsup might have to do! Have a great weekend!
I think it would be awesome with harissa! Great idea, Kevin.