Gobble Gobble YUM! – Turkey Meatloaf

Gobble Gobble…in January? Yes Please!

Several weeks ago I bought  package of ground turkey at our local Aldi store. I stuck it in the freezer and wondered just what exactly I would end up doing with it. (I’ve never been a fan of ground poultry…but this old dog is still willing to try a few new tricks!)

Yesterday my search began online for a recipe that called for ingredients I had on hand. A website called Inspired Taste looked very promising…especially since the “Gobble” was joined by a whole box of mushrooms!  (I ALWAYS keep several boxes of portobello mushrooms in the frig.)

But you know me. I can never leave well enough alone. So I added (and subtracted) several ingredients to the online recipe I found. And I adjusted the amounts of panko bread crumbs and milk based on my “feel” for the mixture. I also omitted the ketchup topping since I wanted the turkey and mushrooms to shine. (Turkey and ketchup just didn’t jive with my Gobble theme!)

The final result turned out to be ALMOST as good as the Beef and Mushroom Meatloaf I created years ago. The meatloaf was moist and tender, and the flavors were delicious! (Many folks complain that turkey meatloaf is flavorless and dry…but THIS version was neither of those!)

So the next time you want to try a lighter version of meatloaf…give this one a try! I bet you’ll be saying Gobble Gobble just like I did. And what turkey dinner would be complete without my homemade mashed spuds and gravy. And stuffing. (I cheated on the stuffing-it was from a box!) 

A perfect side dish to that meal? My Chive Carrots. 

You can thank me later.

Print

Gobble Gobble Turkey Meatloaf

Ingredients

• 1 Medium Onion Finely chopped
• 2 or 3 Garlic Cloves Minced
• 1 8 Oz. Pkg. Portobello Mushrooms Cleaned and Finely Chopped
• 1/2 Cup Shredded Carrots
• 1 1/4 Lb. Ground Turkey Sometimes the pkg is 1 lb. (That's Fine!)
• 1 tsp. Coarse Kosher Salt
• 1/2 tsp. Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• 1 Tblsp. Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 Tblsp. Tomato Paste
• 1 1/4 Cups Panko Bread Crumbs
• 1/2 Cup Milk
• 2 Eggs Beaten

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Saute and soften onion and garlic in a small amount of olive oil.

3. Stir in finely diced mushrooms and carrots, and stir often as they cook down.

4. Add tomato paste, Worcestershire, Salt, Pepper.

5. Stir well and allow to cook down until mushroom moisture is absorbed.

6. Set aside to cool.

7. When mixture has cooled, stir in beaten eggs, panko bread crumbs and milk.

8. Mix well.

9. Next mix in raw ground turkey and mix well to combine.

10. Mixture should be soft but should hold it's shape.

11. Pour mixture into a baking pan or a rimmed sheet pan and form into a loaf.

12. Bake at 400 degrees until meat thermometer registers 170 degrees in the center. (About 50-60 minutes.) Do not undercook poultry.

13. Let stand a few minutes to firm up before serving.