Turkey Meatloaf (freezer meal)

If you’re looking for a new family friendly recipe to add to your kitchen arsenal, try this moist turkey meatloaf freezer meal. It can be made ahead as a freezer meal which means getting dinner on the table quickly.

We sometimes change things up with turkey such as our turkey sloppy joes. Using ground turkey in your meatloaf creates a healthier version than using ground beef. This recipe uses a variety of spices that give it a nice Italian flavour.

Turkey meatloaf variations:

• Add finely chopped mushrooms to add more moisture to the loaf.
• Sneak in some finely chopped veggies such as bell peppers or spinach.
• Wrap your meatloaf in bacon before cooking. Add a bit of cooking time to account for the extra fat. 
• Shape the turkey mixture into meatballs instead of meatloaf and bake the turkey meatballs on a baking sheet.
• Make this recipe into meatloaf muffins.

Turkey Meatloaf Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. ground turkey
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 Tbsp. minced onion
• 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
• 1-1/4 tsp. salt
• 3/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp. cumin
• 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1-1/2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 2 large eggs at room temperature
• 1/4 cup skim milk
• 3/4 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

Sauce ingredients:

• 2/3 cup ketchup
• 1/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 1-1/2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard

Assembly instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, seasonings, and Worcestershire sauce.
2. Add the bread crumbs, milk, and eggs.
3. Mix with your hands until all ingredients are combined.
4. Scoop the meatloaf mixture into a greased loaf pan OR shape the mixture into a loaf shape.
5. Place the loaf pan or the loaf shape into a large resealable plastic freezer bag. Remove the excess air.
6. Whisk together the sauce ingredients and place in a medium resealable freezer bag. Seal. Staple it to the meatloaf bag and freeze.

Cooking instructions:

1. Thaw.
2. Preheat oven to 350°.
3. If your mixture is not yet in a pan, coat a loaf pan with cooking spray and pat the mixture into it.
4. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes.
5. Remove the meatloaf from the oven. 
6. Pour the glaze on top and place back in the oven for 10 additional minutes.
7. Garnish with chopped green onion if desired.
8. Slice and serve.

This may just be the recipe that converts you into a ground turkey fan!

Print

Turkey Meatloaf

Course: Main Course

Keyword: meatloaf, turkey

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. ground turkey
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 Tbsp. minced onion
• 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
• 1-1/4 tsp. salt
• 3/4 tsp. pepper
• 2 tsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp. cumin
• 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1-1/2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 2 large eggs at room temperature
• 1/4 cup skim milk
• 3/4 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

Sauce ingredients:

• 2/3 cup ketchup
• 1/3 cup dark brown sugar packed
• 1-1/2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard

Instructions

Assembly instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, seasonings, and Worcestershire sauce.
2. Add the bread crumbs, milk, and eggs.

3. Mix with your hands until all ingredients are well combined.

4. Scoop the meatloaf mixture into a greased loaf pan OR shape the mixture into a loaf shape.
5. Place the loaf pan or the loaf shape into a large resealable plastic freezer bag. Remove the excess air.
6. Whisk together the sauce ingredients and place in a medium resealable freezer bag. Seal. Staple it to the meatloaf bag and freeze.

Cooking instructions:

1. Thaw.
2. Preheat oven to 350°.
3. If your mixture is not yet in a pan, coat a loaf pan with cooking spray and pat the mixture into it.
4. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes.
5. Remove the meatloaf from the oven.
6. Pour the glaze on top and place back in the oven for 10 additional minutes.
7. Garnish with chopped green onion if desired.
8. Slice and serve.

Check out some of these other kid friendly freezer meals:

Instant Pot Turkey Sloppy Joes
Meatloaf Muffins

Beef and Bean Burritos