This turkey meatloaf with oats is super tender, loaded with flavor, and smothered in a lip-smacking glaze. It rivals the beefy classic!.
For many families, meatloaf is a dinnertime staple This classic comfort food comes together easily and makes great leftovers But when it comes to meatloaf, turkey often gets overlooked for its beefier cousin. Next time you’re craving meatloaf, give turkey a chance to shine by adding a secret ingredient – oatmeal! Oatmeal brings moisture and texture that takes turkey meatloaf to the next level.
Benefits of Turkey Meatloaf
Switching up your usual meatloaf with ground turkey has some excellent benefits:
-
Lower Fat – Turkey breast is significantly leaner than beef. You’ll slash the saturated fat and calories without sacrificing flavor.
-
More Protein – Ounce for ounce, turkey packs in more protein than ground beef. Plus, turkey provides essential amino acids for building and repairing muscles.
-
Versatile Flavor – Ground turkey has a milder taste that pairs well with endless flavors. From savory herbs to sweet glazes, turkey meatloaf welcomes creativity.
-
Budget Friendly – Pound for pound, ground turkey costs less than beef. Stretch your grocery dollars while still enjoying a hearty dinner.
Oatmeal’s Secret Powers
You may think of oatmeal as a breakfast food, but it has magical properties that boost meatloaf:
-
Moisture – Dry meatloaf is downright depressing. Oatmeal locks in moisture and prevents your loaf from drying out.
-
Binding – The gluten in oats acts as a natural binder to hold the meatloaf together, so it doesn’t crumble when sliced.
-
Texture – Oats add body that balances the soft ground meat. Enjoy meatloaf with some pleasant chewiness.
-
Flavor – Oatmeal has a subtle sweetness and toasty flavor from being toasted that enhances overall taste.
Tips for Turkey-Oatmeal Meatloaf
Want to whip up the perfect turkey-oatmeal meatloaf for dinner tonight? Follow these simple tips:
-
Use quick oats for the best texture. Old fashioned oats don’t soften as well.
-
Add milk or water to moisten the oats before mixing into meat.
-
Season generously with salt, pepper and your favorite spices or herbs.
-
Refrigerate meatloaf mixture for 30 minutes before baking to help it hold its shape.
-
Bake in a loaf pan and top with glaze for easy, mess-free slicing.
-
Bake at 350°F until the internal temperature reaches 160°F for safety.
Top Turkey-Oatmeal Meatloaf Recipes
Ready to enjoy delicious turkey-oatmeal meatloaf? Here are some mouthwatering recipe ideas to try:
Italian Turkey Meatloaf
This recipe incorporates oatmeal, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and basil for an Italian-inspired turkey loaf. Top with marinara sauce and mozzarella before baking for cheesy perfection.
Southwest Turkey Meatloaf
Spice it up with this Southwestern turkey meatloaf. Oats, bell peppers, corn, cumin, and chipotle chiles provide a kick of flavor. Finish with a sweet and smoky barbecue glaze.
Hawaiian Turkey Meatloaf
For a tropical twist, stir oatmeal, crushed pineapple, green onions, ginger, and a touch of curry powder into the meat. Glaze with a blend of ketchup, brown sugar, and pineapple juice.
Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Meatloaf
Because everything’s better with bacon! Wrap your oat-enriched turkey loaf in bacon before baking. The rendered bacon fat keeps it super moist.
Cranberry Pecan Turkey Meatloaf
This festive loaf has oats, pecans, dried cranberries, parsley, sage, and a whole lot of flavor. Spread cranberry sauce on top for a pretty presentation.
Family-Friendly Mealtime
Part of the enduring appeal of meatloaf is its versatility and family-friendly qualities:
-
Make mini turkey loaves for fun individual portions.
-
Stuff your loaf into peppers, tomatoes or squash instead of a pan.
-
Slice your cooked loaf and use it for tasty meatloaf sandwiches.
-
Transform leftovers into next-day turkey tetrazzini or shepherd’s pie.
-
Freeze extra loaves to reheat for quick meals later.
Turkey oatmeal meatloaf is a well-rounded meal on its own but also pairs nicely with mashed potatoes, buttered noodles or rice pilaf. Round out the meal with your choice of vegetable side dish. With so many possibilities, your family may request turkey-oatmeal meatloaf every week!
This humble loaf is proof that two wholesome ingredients – turkey and oats – can combine to make a scrumptious satiating supper. Ditch the beef and add oatmeal to your next meatloaf for a healthier, budget-friendly family favorite. Just one bite and you’ll make turkey-oatmeal meatloaf a regular mealtime staple.
What to Serve With Turkey Meatloaf
- You know I’m a sucker for mashed potatoes. For me, this completes the nostalgia around meatloaf.
- Also, these little roasted potatoes are great with a meaty main dish.
- I love these green beans cooked in the air fryer because I can put them in for a few minutes before dinner and do something else.
- These broccoli are another side dish that you can make in an air fryer. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can still make these roasted broccoli, they taste just as good.
- You don’t have to sauté the diced onions before adding them to the turkey meatloaf mixture. If you do, the onion flavor will be stronger, which some people like. I like it either way. Use your best judgement based on your own taste.
- A few tablespoons of tomato sauce could be used instead of the ketchup-based glaze if you don’t like it. If you like spicy, consider adding a little hot sauce!.
- Because I wanted to make this recipe more hearty and healthy, I used oats instead of breadcrumbs. You could use breadcrumbs instead.
- To make the oats into fine breadcrumbs, use a small blender. Then, add them to the mix.
- You certainly can add chopped vegetables to the mix. The tomato sauce already has tomatoes in it, but you could also add chopped spinach, red pepper, a grated carrot,
*Exact measurements in the recipe card below.
- Ground Turkey. In order to make meatloaf, you should aim for a 2093% lean/7% fat ratio.
- Onion. Just about any onion will work in this. I like a sweet yellow onion for extra sweetness.
- Garlic.
- Oats. Rolled oats or quick oats are fine.
- Egg. This helps add extra moisture.
- Marinara. Another thing that makes it more moist and gives it a nice savory taste!
- Worcestershire sauce. With this stuff, the beef always tastes umami-good, so you don’t have to worry about your meatloaf being bland.
- Salt & pepper. One teaspoon of salt per pound of ground meat is how I season it.
- Thyme. You can use dried thyme or Italian seasoning instead of fresh thyme if you don’t have any on hand.
- Ketchup. The base of our sweet and savory glaze.
- Balsamic glaze. This makes the glaze a little more rich, tangy, and deep.
Why You’ll Love This
This recipe will change your mind if you thought meatloaf could only be made with ground beef or sausage. It might not sound exciting to make a cozy home-cooked meal leaner, but I promise you that this turkey meatloaf with oats can compete with the original. It’s soft, tasty, the right texture, and covered in that must-have ketchup glaze (we love making our own ketchup for this).
It’s also great for a weeknight fix. It’s quick, and you can make it the night before and put it in the fridge until it’s time to cook!
Easy, FLAVORFUL Meatloaf Recipe with OATMEAL
FAQ
Is oatmeal better than bread crumbs in meatloaf?
What is the secret to moist meatloaf?
What ingredient keeps meatloaf from falling apart?
How much oatmeal to substitute for breadcrumbs in meatloaf?
How do you cook a Turkey meatloaf?
Turkey meatloaf is a favorite in our house! This healthy meatloaf recipe made with lean ground turkey is easy and delicious. Preheat the oven to 350F. In a small bowl combine 2 tbsp of the ketchup with Worcestershire sauce. In a small skillet, heat olive oil and onion on low heat until translucent, 3 to 5 minutes, remove from heat.
How do you make a Turkey oat loaf?
Finely chop the remaining onion. In a large bowl, combine the turkey, oat mixture, chopped onion, bell pepper, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, salt and a few grinds of pepper. Mix just until well combined. Transfer the mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and shape into a loaf about 5 inches wide and 2 1/2 inches high.
What is Turkey meatloaf with oatmeal?
Turkey meatloaf with oatmeal is a ground turkey dish seasoned with salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and brown sugar, and it includes oatmeal and vegetables. This moist and flavorful family dinner is made with eggs and bread crumbs.
What is garden-style Turkey meatloaf with oats?
Garden-Style Turkey Meatloaf with Oats is a fresh take on meatloaf made with a variety of veggies and ground turkey. This lunch or dinner option is the perfect way to incorporate veggies into your meal in a new and tasty way. Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, combine all ingredients, mixing lightly but thoroughly.
How do you cook a Turkey Meatloaf in a loaf pan?
To cook a Turkey Meatloaf in a 9 x 5 loaf pan, first spray the pan with cooking spray. Combine all ingredients except tomato sauce and 1 tbsp Worcestershire in a large bowl and mix well. If the mixture is too dry, add more egg. If it’s too wet, add more oatmeal crumbs. Press the turkey mixture into the prepared pan. Bake at 375°F for 45 minutes. Mix tomato sauce and remaining 1 tablespoon Worcestershire together in a small bowl.
How do you make a Turkey meatloaf sandwich?
Make the turkey meatloaf mixture: Prepare the turkey mixture in a large mixing bowl by combining the ground turkey, panko bread crumbs (or you can also use regular bread crumbs), large egg, chicken stock, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, thyme, salt, pepper, and the now-cooled vegetables.