We are one of those families, where not all of us eat meat... It will be 3 years in March that I stopped eating meat. I had been leaning away from meat for about a decade, so it wasn't an overnight decision. However, my husband didn't join me on giving up meat! (Thinking he never will, and that's okay!) Although, since we've been married, we have always eaten vegetarian meals. We never referred to them as 'meatless', or 'vegetarian', but just skipped the meat where it wasn't absolutely needed. For example, spaghetti, chili, even tacos! But, when your meal is meatloaf, or baked chicken- well, it's not as easy to skip the meat;) For me, I think the many meatless meals were born out of need, having been rather poor as a kid. We didn't have the money to have meat everyday, much less for every meal!! So, I really did just learn to cook without meat. Certainly cost effective, earth friendly, and better for health reasons too! I urge everyone to LEAN into eating more vegetarian meals!
When I used to eat meat, meatloaf was one of my all time favs. Well, my family eats meat occasionally, so once in awhile, I bust out the meatloaf on a cold winter day! You'll see here, I use ground turkey only! I use oats instead of bread crumbs, to make it gluten free, and more nutritious!
I like to use ground turkey, that is dark and white meat. Research has shown, dark meat is more nutritious than breast meat. Besides, turkey has so little fat to begin with, the addition of dark meat is important here to keep it moist.
Easy Turkey Meatloaf
3/4 C of oats
1/4 C ketchup
1 med finely chopped onion
1 med roughly chopped
2 cloves crushed garlic
1 Tbl mustard
1/2 Tbl Worcestershire sauce
2 eggs
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Glaze1/4 C ketchup
2 Tbl mustard of choice
1 Tbl brown sugar
1/2 C sauteed chopped onion
Preheat oven for 350 degrees.
Mix the ingredients for the meatloaf by hand, except the roughly chopped onion. Blend until incorporated, but do not over mix! Oil your bread pan, because the meatloaf has so little fat.
Saute the roughly chopped onion, until just translucent.
Mix glaze ingredients together well. Top the meatloaf with glaze, then with the sauteed onion.
Bake for about an hour. Like any and all meats, allow to rest for about 20 minutes, before slicing.
That's it! This will be the best meatloaf, and your family won't even know it is turkey, or that it is healthier!
*You can easily double the recipe. Bake for an additional 20-30 mins. more.
*There are countless add-ins. i.e. 1/4 C finely chopped peppers, carrots, or celery.
*You can add a Tbl of horseradish, for a gentle but delicious bite, making everyone wonder, "what is that'?
Usually I saute the onion in the meatloaf as well as on top. Today, I didn't. I would suggest you do try it! When you saute the onion first, it makes them sweet and just incredible. I suggest sauteing other veggies like mentioned above, if using them in the loaf!
For super busy moms, you can purchase a frozen chopped veggie blend at your grocery store, in the frozen veggies section! Seriously. They make one blend with onions, celery, and herbs, and another one with just chopped onion and peppers. I do admit, if they go on sale for $1, I will buy them- for the easiest prep!! Just dump into bowl.
I make it a habit, to most often allow meat to come to room temp., before cooking. If you don't this, it may add to your cooking time.
I have been making this meatloaf for many, many years now. I thought I would finally share... I hope you enjoy it, as much as my family does! My family LOVES this comfort food meal!
Enjoy!
Yours in health,
Natalie