Easy Turkey Meatloaf Recipe

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There’s only one thing better than the comfort food that is meatloaf: HEALTHY meatloaf! Get tucked into this delicious cold-weather favorite with wholesome ingredients and rich sauce.

Growing up I always thought you weren’t supposed to like meatloaf. Kids on TV and in movies seemed to enjoy playing with their meals more than eating them. And for a while I understood where they were coming from. Some meatloafs can be boring and bland. Then I realized, as with most dishes, it’s what you do with them that matters. In this case, we’ve gone with paprika, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar to add that bit of kick while improving the nutrition by substituting turkey for beef. It all makes for a wonderful dish you’ll love to serve to your family.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• It’s a winner for a cozy weekend dinner. While it tastes terrific in the summer, there’s something about a meatloaf on a dark January evening that makes it taste even better!
• It’s easy. It all goes into one pan and then into the oven. The prep work is a cinch.
• Maybe it’s the kindergartner in me but I love to get stuck into making meatloaf. Sinking your hands into the meat, combining the ingredients… it’s a crafty dish your kids might like to help out with.
• We’ve replaced the traditional ground beef with turkey, which contains less fat. And, thanks to the other ingredients and the sauce, we promise you won’t notice a difference.

Is This Healthy?

• This turkey meatloaf is a lighter and healthier spin on classic comfort food. So relatively speaking, yes, it is healthy.
• It’s packed with lean meat, which translates to less fat and fewer calories than its beef-based counterpart. You also have the option of lean or extra-lean turkey meat, depending on how important this aspect of the dish is to you.
• It is a good source of protein and B vitamins. Protein is great for muscle development. It will also make you feel full longer, which should help curb those late-night cravings.
• The sauce contains brown sugar — perhaps the only item on the Ingredients list to be wary of for those on a diet. If this is the case, replace it with a sugar substitute. Honey, agave syrup, coconut sugar, or maple syrup — used at a 1:1 ratio — would do the trick, though the taste of the meatloaf will change. You could also use granulated stevia or monk fruit sweetener.
• Ketchup also contains sugar. Replace it with tomato sauce, if you want to minimize the sugar content.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 large egg
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp milk
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• fresh parsley, chopped
• ½ tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp paprika powder
• 1 onion, chopped
• pinch of salt and black pepper

the Topping:

• 1 tbsp ketchup
• ½ tsp brown sugar
• ¼ tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and grease it with some olive oil. In a small bowl whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Set aside for the glazing.

Heat the olive oil in a skillet on MEDIUM-HIGH and cook the onions and garlic until fragrant. Set aside. Soak the breadcrumbs in the milk for 10 minutes then squeeze out excess milk from the breadcrumbs. Set aside.

Assemble

In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, egg, Dijon mustard, cooked onions and garlic, breadcrumbs, and paprika powder, and season with salt and pepper. Add 1 tablespoon of the glaze and combine well. Shape the meat mixture into a meatloaf and place it on the prepared baking dish. Spread the glazing over the meatloaf evenly.

Cook

Cook the meatloaf in the oven for at least 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let it cool. Slice the meatloaf and garnish with chopped parsley. Enjoy!

what to serve with turkey meatloaf

Crock-Pot Sweet Potatoes – This is a low-maintenance side dish that would go really well with the meatloaf. You could even add some of the mustard and brown sugar from the meatloaf on the potatoes.

Parsnip Fries – These fries are crispy and delicious! A healthy alternative to french fries that is naturally gluten-free and tasty!

Apple Coleslaw – This slaw is a light and crisp spin on a classic! Full of crunchy fruit and veggies covered in a tangy-sweet dressing!

Healthy Broccoli Apple Salad with Greek Yogurt – This salad is an easy, healthy side dish that even kids will like! It’s protein packed and makes great leftovers!

FAQs

How to store turkey meatloaf

Let the meatloaf cool completely. It’s up to you whether you slice it now or store it whole. You can either wrap it in plastic or aluminum, or place it in an airtight container. The meatloaf will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’d like to eat it again, warm it on LOW in the oven, microwave, or on the stove so as not to overcook the meatloaf and dry it out. If from frozen, let it thaw in the fridge overnight.

Print

Easy Turkey Meatloaf Recipe

There's only one thing better than the comfort food that is meatloaf: HEALTHY meatloaf! Get tucked into this delicious cold-weather favorite with wholesome ingredients and rich sauce.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes

Servings 2 persons

Calories 1186kcal

Author FoodFaithFitness

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 large egg
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp milk
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• fresh parsley chopped
• ½ tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp paprika powder
• 1 onion chopped
• pinch of salt and black pepper

Topping:

• 1 tbsp ketchup
• ½ tsp brown sugar
• ¼ tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and grease it with some olive oil.
• In a small bowl whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Set aside for the glazing.
  
  
  
• Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the onions and garlic until fragrant. Set aside.
  
  
  
• Soak the breadcrumbs in the milk for 10 minutes then squeeze out excess milk from the breadcrumbs. Set aside.
• In a large bowl combine the ground turkey, egg, Dijon mustard, cooked onions and garlic, breadcrumbs, and paprika powder, and season with salt and pepper. Add 1 tbsp of the glaze and combine well.
  
  
  
• Shape the meat mixture into a meatloaf and place it on the prepared baking dish. Spread the glazing over the meatloaf evenly.
  
  
  
• Cook the meatloaf in the oven for at least 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let it cool..
• Slice the meatloaf and garnish with chopped parsley. Enjoy!
  
  
  

Notes

• The breadcrumbs act like a binding agent along with the eggs. Breadcrumbs are soaked in milk and keep the loaf moist. Always soak your breadcrumbs in milk before mixing them with the meat to get the best results.
• If you’d like to use a different sauce, feel free. Use barbecue sauce instead of ketchup, or use tomato sauce for a healthier version.
• Use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of the loaf. If it’s cooked too long it will become dry. The perfect internal temperature should reach 160°F. 

Nutrition

Calories: 1186kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 101g | Fat: 61g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 15g | Monounsaturated Fat: 26g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 503mg | Sodium: 1022mg | Potassium: 1470mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 1688IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 306mg | Iron: 10mg

The post Easy Turkey Meatloaf Recipe appeared first on Food Faith Fitness.

References:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference in organic and non-organic foods?

Organic food does not contain pesticides, chemical fertilisers, sewage waste, irradiation, genetic modification. Organic farming practices are good for soil health, water quality, animal welfare, and the environment.

Inorganic food is grown with pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Radiated foods are those that have been exposed to radiation. Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are created using biological engineering techniques.

Sometimes, the term "natural", is used interchangeably with "organic." But natural does not necessarily imply organic. You may also find products that are labeled as "natural", which could contain synthetic ingredients.

Organic produce is more nutritious than traditional produce due to the fact that it contains less harmful chemicals and pesticides. In addition, organic farmers do not use artificial fertilizers, hormones, antibiotics, or pesticides.

Which organic products are most in demand?

Today, organic food is the fastest growing industry. We've come far from our roots but there is still room for improvement.

Organic products are the future. Organic products are safer, more sustainable, and cheaper for consumers.

But they also tend to be higher priced. This is why we created the Organic Food Index. We wanted to know which foods are popular today and whether trends are changing.

The results show that organic food is becoming increasingly popular. Between 2011 and 2012 the number of Americans buying organic food increased nearly 50%.

According to USDA, organic production grew by 10% last year. Currently, organic food accounts for 9% in the U.S. agricultural production.

Organic food is certainly on the rise but consumers are still not able to afford it. The average retail price for organic food is almost twice that of conventional foods, according to the Organic Trade Association (OTA).

However, organic food is growing more quickly than any other part of the food market. You can see that organic food has been steadily increasing since 2009.

According to OTA however, the volume in supermarkets of organic products grew by 14% from 2010 to 2011.

This increase reflects consumer demand for healthier foods, which explains why organic food sales are increasing across all age groups.

However, the younger generation is leading the charge in choosing organic food. Millennials are twice as likely to buy organic food compared to baby boomers. Young adults below 35 years of age account for 25%.

Why is organic produce important?

It is essential for our health to eat organic produce. It is the best way for us to eat healthy food. Not only is it better for us, but it's also more environmentally friendly because it doesn't rely on pesticides and fertilizers.

Organic farming uses natural methods of cultivating crops that are free from harmful chemicals. This reduces the risk of environmental pollution, which makes it safer for people and animals. When you choose organic food, both you and the earth are protected.

However, organic food is good for our health. We all know the negative effects that processed foods can have on our health. However, organic fruits & vegetables aren’t treated with chemical sprays. They taste fresher, look better and last longer.

That's why eating organic matters so much. Because it's not only healthy for you, it's healthier for the world.

What does it mean to be an organic food producer?

Organic food producers use organic methods to grow their products. These foods include fruits as well vegetables, grains and dairy products.

When crops are naturally nurtured, organic food production can be achieved. This includes soil preparation and pest control as well as crop rotation.

To be organic, an agricultural product must meet the strict criteria of USDA (United States Department of Agriculture).

These guidelines will ensure that consumers have safe, healthy, and nutritious food.

The benefits of eating organic range from lower levels of pesticide residues and heavy metal contamination to higher nutrient content and better flavour.

Products certified organic by the USDA must bear the label "USDA Certified Organic" seal.

This certification indicates that the product meets the requirements of the National Organic Program.

As well as ensuring that we eat healthier, organic food also helps protect our environment.

Organic farming methods preserve natural resources, such as water or land. Organic farming also helps to reduce greenhouse gases emissions, which are responsible for climate change.

Organic agriculture is more sustainable and uses less chemicals.

Because of this, harmful gases such as ammonia and even nitrates will not build up in the air.

There are many types to organic farming.

Conventional farming involves the use artificial inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides.

Regenerative agriculture uses cover crops and green manures to improve soil quality. It also encourages biodiversity.

Agroecology emphasizes sustainable relationships between people and plants.

Permaculture encourages self sufficiency by designing systems that mirror nature.

Does organic mean that it is not sprayed with pesticides?

Organic food does not contain pesticides or chemicals and is therefore chemical-free. This means there is little or no exposure to chemicals such as fertilizers and herbicides.

Because organic produce does not contain harmful additives it has more nutrients that conventionally produced foods.

The USDA National Organic Program, (NOP), requires farmers to adhere to strict guidelines when cultivating organic crops.

These guidelines cover soil preparation, crop rotation and pest control. They also include water conservation and harvesting techniques.

Organic farming methods are also beneficial for wildlife and natural habitats.

How do I know if my produce is organic?

These are the labels you should look for to ensure you are purchasing organic produce

USDA Organic Certified: Produces certified by USDA as 100% organic.

Certified Naturally-Grown - Produce which has passed strict organic practices requirements, but not yet received USDA certification.

Pastured/Free-range - Made from animals that graze on grass and herbs outdoors.

These labels indicate that the product meets certain criteria.

• No synthetic fertilizers or pesticides
• No genetically modified organisms
• Animals are not given antibiotics.
• Animals are never given hormones.
• No growth-promoting medications
• No feed additives
• No artificial ingredients
• No irradiation
• There's no sewage waste sludge
• GMOs are not allowed
• There have never been any antibiotics given.
• No hormones ever given
• No growth-promoting drugs
• No feed-additives
• No artificial ingredients
• No sewage sludge (if it's a non-GMO)
• No irradiation

I hope that this article was useful!

Statistics

• Brands participating in this challenge are committed to using 100 percent sustainable cotton by 2025.[5] (en.wikipedia.org)
• Cosmetic brands such as Laurel and Rose Mira are 100 percent organic and have a wide array of skincare products. (en.wikipedia.org)
• As for organic meat, regulations require that animals be raised in living conditions that accommodate their natural behaviours (like the ability to graze on pasture), fed 100% organic feed and forage, and not administered antibiotics or hormones. (usda.gov)
• Popular clothing brands, like Patagonia, are labelled as organic by using 100 percent organic cotton for many of their styles. (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

ewg.org

• EWG's 2022 Buyer's Guide to Pesticides In Produce


• Clean Fifteen Conventional Produce (tm); With the Least Pesticides

sciencedirect.com

• The health effects of organic foods and their impact on the human body: A review of the status quo and future prospects of research – ScienceDirect


• Technical Note: Simultaneous carotenoid- and vitamin analysis of milk coming from total mixed ration-fed cattle optimized for xanthophyll discovery - ScienceDirect

doi.org

• Occupational Pesticide Exposures and Cancer risk: A Review: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part B Vol 15, No 4


• Genetically modified food: safety, risk and public concerns - a review - Journal of Food Science and Technology

ams.usda.gov

• Home


• Organic Enforcement

How To

5 Reasons Why You Should Buy Organic Products

Organic foods are grown without pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. They contain no genetically modified or irradiated food ingredients. They are not made with sewage sludge, industrial solvents, or any other chemical substances. During the growth process, food is kept clean from any contamination. It is free of preservatives as well as artificial additives. It does not contain hormones or antibiotics. They are also produced in conditions that enable them to preserve their nutritional value, freshness, and quality for longer periods.

1. Health benefits. Nonorganic produce is more chemically-laden than organic. This means that organic produce is less likely cause allergic reactions and sensitivities. This also means that you are consuming less toxins and carcinogens.
2. Eco-friendliness. Organically grown produce doesn't require synthetic fertilizer or pesticides. Organic farms are often located far from areas with high levels of pollution because it takes so much energy for conventional agriculture to grow. This helps to reduce air pollution.
3. Sustainability. Organic farming relies on soil fertility, rather than chemical fertilisers. This results in healthier soils and higher levels organic matter. The rotation of crops and the letting of land fallow can improve soil health. Strong immune systems develop when farm animals are fed only grasses grown without antibiotics or added hormones.
4. Taste. Due to being picked at peak quality, vegetables and fruits are often bland. Organic produce tastes sweeter and more rich because it was picked when it was still young.
5. Nutrition. GMOs, BPA, and other harmful chemicals are often found in conventional processed foods. These harmful substances can be avoided by sticking to whole foods like meat, eggs, fish and nuts as well as seeds, beans, fruits, vegetables, and herbs.