Easy Turkey Meatloaf Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the basic meatloaf formula? ›

Mix ground beef, salt, pepper, onion, bell pepper, egg, tomatoes and oats together well and place in a baking dish. Shape into a loaf. Topping: Mix ketchup, brown sugar and mustard and spread on loaf.

When this happens, it's because you didn't use enough. Next time, try adding in an extra egg and/or some more breadcrumbs. Alternatively, rice, barley, corn flakes, crackers, and dried soup mix can also stand in as binding ingredients as well. Including larger quantities of these items should help solve the problem.

Leaving the meatloaf uncovered allows the top to develop a nice, crispy crust. The exposed surface caramelizes and browns, adding a visual appeal and pleasant contrast in texture as well as great flavor. Uncovering the loaf also helps excess moisture evaporate, giving the meatloaf a firmer consistency.

The secret to those meatballs' incredible tenderness is mixing bread soaked in milk into the meat mixture. I employ the same trick here, with fresh breadcrumbs in lieu of soft bread. Cook to 160ºF. Overcooking the meatloaf is a culprit in having it dry out.

Combine ground beef, onion, milk, bread crumbs and egg in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper. Transfer into prepared loaf pan. Mix ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard together in a small bowl until well combined; pour over meatloaf and spread it evenly over the top.

Salt and pepper reigns, but it's easy to add complexity and character by going deeper into the spice rack. Try adding minced garlic, parsley, and thyme for a deeply savory taste. For mouthwateringly bold meatloaf, add Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and ketchup to the pre-baked mixture.

Why Does My Turkey Meatloaf Fall Apart? You may find your meatloaf is crumbly or falling apart if you used too many breadcrumbs or not enough eggs.

Because metal heats up faster than glass, it contributes to a better rise and crisper, browner edges. But whatever you're baking, it's important to remember that not every metal pan is a great metal pan.

The oven temperature is typically set at 350 degrees F for making meatloaf. That's the temperature you want to be sure to use so the meatloaf cooks and doesn't dry out. Too high, and the outer crust will burn before the interior is cooked all the way, too low and you don't get that delicious crust.

Why do you put milk in meatloaf? ›

Milk and other dairy products, like heavy cream and buttermilk, contain both water and fat, adding two types of moisture to our meatloaf. There's a long-held theory that milk can tenderize ground meat, and this is the reason often cited for cooking ground meat in milk to make a Bolognese-style ragù.

Bread Crumb Substitutes

¼ cup panko. ¼ cup cracker or pretzel crumbs. ¼ cup crushed cornflakes or other unsweetened cereals. ⅔ cup regular rolled oats (Use this only as a substitute for bread crumbs in meat loaf and other meat mixtures, such as burgers.

Mix ground beef, bread crumbs, egg and seasonings in large bowl. 2 Shape into a loaf on shallow baking pan. Pour ketchup over top. 3 Bake meatloaf 55 to 60 minutes or until cooked through.

A lot of supermarkets sell a "meatloaf mix," a combination of ground beef, pork, and veal.

If you don't have any bread, you can substitute it for breadcrumbs, crackers, cereal grains, oatmeal, instant rice, instant barley, or even potato flakes! However, bread is still the best choice of all the potential options.

Like meatballs, many meatloaf recipes include a blend of meat, which will determine whether you need fattier or leaner beef. If it's an all-beef recipe, avoid 90/10, and go for 80/20 or 85/15. Most recipes call for 70/30 or 80/20 ground beef, which makes a rich and juicy burger patty with a good exterior crust.