Description
Ina Garten’s classic turkey meatloaf offers a lean, flavorful twist on traditional comfort fare. Juicy ground turkey mingles with herbs and seasonings, creating a hearty main dish perfect for family dinners when you crave something wholesome and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 lbs (2.27 kg) ground turkey breast
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 1 ½ cups plain dry bread crumbs
- 3 cups yellow onions, chopped (2 large onions)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tsps salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried)
- ⅓ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ tsps tomato paste
- ¾ cup chicken stock
- ¾ cup ketchup
Instructions
- Preheat: Set the oven to 325°F (163°C) with a precise temperature calibration to ensure consistent heat distribution.
- Aromatic Base: Gently sauté onions in olive oil over medium-low heat, infusing them with salt, black pepper, and thyme. Cook until softened and translucent, developing a rich flavor profile.
- Flavor Infusion: Introduce Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and tomato paste to the caramelized onions. Blend thoroughly and allow the mixture to cool to ambient temperature, concentrating the savory elements.
- Meatloaf Composition: In a spacious mixing bowl, merge ground turkey, plain breadcrumbs, and beaten eggs. Delicately fold in the cooled onion mixture, ensuring uniform ingredient integration.
- Shaping and Glazing: Mold the meat mixture into a sleek rectangular form on an ungreased baking sheet, creating smooth edges for even cooking. Lavishly coat the surface with a vibrant ketchup glaze, adding moisture and depth of flavor.
- Roasting Process: Position the meatloaf in the preheated oven, accompanied by a pan of hot water on the lower rack to maintain optimal moisture. Roast for approximately 90 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Resting and Serving: Allow the meatloaf to rest for 5-7 minutes after removing from the oven. Slice and serve warm, or cool completely for versatile sandwich preparations.
Notes
- Caramelize Onions Carefully: Take time to slowly cook onions over medium-low heat, allowing natural sugars to develop rich flavor without burning.
- Check Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to confirm turkey reaches 160°F for safe consumption, preventing dryness and ensuring proper doneness.
- Moisture Retention Technique: Adding hot water pan during baking helps create humid environment, keeping meatloaf juicy and preventing surface from becoming tough.
- Resting is Crucial: Allow meatloaf to rest 5-7 minutes after cooking, which helps redistribute juices and makes slicing cleaner and more consistent.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg