Diner-Style Turkey Meatloaf
The ketchup-glazed diner classic, rebuilt on turkey. A half-and-half mix of extra-lean and regular ground turkey keeps it juicy while the macros stay honest, and grated onion does the moisture work butter usually does. Proper thick slices, proper glaze, 42 grams of protein.
Method
-
Preheat the oven to 190C / 375F and line a baking tray with parchment.
-
Mix both turkeys, panko, egg, grated onion, garlic, 30g ketchup, Worcestershire, thyme, and salt until just combined.
💡 Tip: Stop mixing the moment it comes together. Overworked meatloaf is dense meatloaf. -
Shape into a loaf about 10cm wide on the tray and spread the remaining ketchup over the top.
-
Bake for 45 to 55 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 74C / 165F.
💡 Tip: A thermometer beats guessing. Turkey punishes overcooking. -
Rest for 5 minutes, then slice thick.
Notes
The two-turkey blend matters. All extra-lean bakes dry, all 93/7 pushes the fat up. Half and half is the sweet spot.
Grate the onion instead of dicing it. It disappears into the mix and bastes the loaf from inside.
Free-form the loaf on a lined tray rather than using a loaf pan. More surface, more glaze, better edges.
Rest it 5 minutes before slicing or it will crumble.
Nutrition Information
| Calories | 325kcal |
| Total Fat | 9g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 17g |
| Protein | 42g |
Get Our FREE “Food Made Simple” Cookbook
Enjoy simple, balanced meals that make eating healthy feel effortless. Sign up below to receive 24 easy, dietitian-approved recipes straight to your inbox.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why two kinds of ground turkey?
Extra-lean turkey breast carries the protein but bakes dry on its own. Regular 93/7 turkey carries moisture and flavor but doubles the fat. Blended, you get a juicy loaf at 9 grams of fat a serving.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes, twice over. Shape the raw loaf and refrigerate it up to a day before baking, or bake, slice, and refrigerate up to 4 days. Slices reheat well and make an excellent sandwich.
Does it freeze?
Very well. Freeze baked slices with parchment between them for up to 3 months and reheat from frozen in the microwave or a covered pan.
More Than Just Recipes
Get Personalized Nutrition Coaching
Love this recipe? Imagine having complete nutrition guidance tailored to your goals, plus 1-on-1 coaching to keep you on track.
- 1-on-1 support from certified nutrition coaches who guide you every step
- Custom macro targets based on your goals, preferences, and lifestyle
- Track your progress with our app and see sustainable, long-term success
Try 2 Weeks Free
Start your journey with expert coaching. Free for 2 weeks. No credit card required.
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to review this recipe!
Leave a Review
Made This Recipe?
Share it with 500K+ members in our Facebook community!