Meatloaf (Turkey or Chicken)

This turkey meatloaf (or chicken meatloaf) is super moist and full of flavor. Also loaded with vegetables from a special ingredient: mushrooms. I've always liked meatloaf, but this recipe made me crave it all the time.
turkey-meatloaf-carley-papi

Note: I have made this many times with both ground turkey breast and ground chicken thigh. Though I have not tried ground chicken breast, my guess is that would work just fine.

 

Ingredients

1.5 lb ground turkey breast or ground chicken thigh (see note above)

8 oz mushrooms, minced or chopped as small as possible

3/4 c yellow onion, diced small

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 c regular, gluten free, or chickpea breadcrumbs (or 3/4 c whole wheat)

3/4 tsp thyme (dried)

1 1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/3 c milk (whole, grass-fed is best)

1 tbsp worcestershire sauce (vegan or regular)

1/4 c dry sherry

7 tbsp ketchup, divided in to 3 and 4 tbsp

2 eggs

1-2 tbsp ghee, butter, or olive oil

Instructions

  1. Heat ghee/butter/olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3-5 minutes, until it begins to soften.
  2. Add the mushrooms, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir. Cook for 8-10 minutes, until mushrooms have given off a lot of their moisture.
  3. Add garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
  4. Add dry sherry and cook until it has mostly evaporated, 3-5 minutes. Turn off heat and transfer the mushroom mixture to a large glass/metal bowl to cool for about 10 minutes.
  5. Preheat oven to 400 F.
  6. Once the mushrooms have cooled, add 3 tbsp ketchup and the worcestershire to the bowl, then stir. Add the breadcrumbs, then stir. Add the milk and stir. Finally, add the eggs. Mix very well.
  7. Add the ground meat to the bowl and mix thoroughly. It helps to use a large fork or your hands to get everything evenly combined.
  8. Line a large loaf pan with parchment paper. Transfer mixture to loaf pan and spread evenly. Coat with remaining 4 tbsp ketchup.
  9. Bake for 60-75 minutes, until a meat thermometer inserted in the center reads 165 F.