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 flavor.
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:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, seasonings, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Add the bread crumbs, milk, and eggs.
- Mix with your hands until all ingredients are combined.
- Scoop the meatloaf mixture into a greased loaf pan OR shape the mixture into a loaf shape.
- Place the loaf pan or the loaf shape into a large resealable plastic freezer bag. Remove the excess air.
- Whisk together the sauce ingredients and place them in a medium resealable freezer bag. Seal. Staple it onto the meatloaf bag and freeze.
Cooking instructions:
- Thaw.
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- If your mixture is not yet in a pan, coat a loaf pan with cooking spray and pat the mixture into it.
- Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes.
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven.
- Pour the glaze on top and place it back in the oven for 10 additional minutes.
- Garnish with chopped green onion if desired.
- Slice and serve.
This may just be the recipe that converts you into a ground turkey fan!
- 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
- 2/3 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup dark brown sugar packed
- 1-1/2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
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In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, seasonings, and Worcestershire sauce.
-
Add the bread crumbs, milk, and eggs.
-
Mix with your hands until all ingredients are well combined.
-
Scoop the meatloaf mixture into a greased loaf pan OR shape the mixture into a loaf shape.
-
Place the loaf pan or the loaf shape into a large resealable plastic freezer bag. Remove the excess air.
-
Whisk together the sauce ingredients and place in a medium resealable freezer bag. Seal. Staple it into the meatloaf bag and freeze.
-
Thaw.
-
Preheat oven to 350°.
-
If your mixture is not yet in a pan, coat a loaf pan with cooking spray and pat the mixture into it.
-
Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes.
-
Remove the meatloaf from the oven.
-
Pour the glaze on top and place back in the oven for 10 additional minutes.
-
Garnish with chopped green onion if desired.
-
Slice and serve.
Check out some of these other kid-friendly freezer meals:
