As we move into fall, I start thinking about and preparing my favorite comfort foods. Meatloaf lives at the top of that list. Several variations of meatloaf make it to our table, and for this post, I’ve created a version with turkey and my zesty barbecue sauce.
If I’m in a hurry I’ll buy my favorite bottled barbecue sauce, but this homemade sauce is really my very favorite and it only takes minutes to make. I’ve featured this sauce in a post for Pulled Pork Sliders a few weeks ago. I put this versatile condiment to use frequently during the summer barbecue season to enhance chicken, pork, salmon, and shrimp. Topping meatloaf with this sauce was an obvious choice.
Unfortunately for me, most all of my favorite comfort foods are filled with fat and calories. I’m always on the quest to make healthier versions of my favorites that don’t sacrifice flavor and the comfort that I’m craving. I think this meatloaf accomplishes that goal.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups ketchup
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup honey
2 bay leaves, crushed
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
2 teaspoons liquid smoke
Tabasco sauce to taste
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 cups chopped yellow onion
3 large clove garlic, minced
2 pounds ground turkey
1/2 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon Worchestershire sauce
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/4 cup barbecue sauce, plus 1/2 cup for top of meatloaf
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Mix all ingredients and refrigerate for 2 hours.
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
2. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium high heat.
3. Add onions and garlic and saute until onions are turning translucent. Remove from heat.
4. Gently mix turkey, onions, garlic, parsley, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, bread crumbs, egg, barbecue sauce, salt and pepper.
5. Form turkey mixture into a loaf on the baking sheet. Brush top of meatloaf with 1/2 cup barbecue sauce.
6. Bake meatloaf for 50 minute to an hour or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
7. Brush top of meatloaf with additional barbecue sauce, slice, and serve immediately with a side of barbecue sauce.
https://southernboydishes.com/2013/09/20/barbecue-turkey-meatloaf/
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Summer has started in NYC and this meatloaf is still a winner. Very tasty, very enjoyable
Thanks!!!
I am so excited to make this! I am going to cut the recipe in half, do you think I could bake it in a loaf pan? Thank you!
Hi Paula, thanks so much for dropping by SBD and I’m glad you found a recipe to try. I think it would be fine to make the meatloaf in a loaf pan. Let me know how you like it. Thanks again!
I just made this meatloaf today and just finished eating it!!! It is very good and will make again. I also made the bbq sauce and it is so tasty. Different than the bottled version but obviously way better! Now I will figure out to use rest of it with another meal. Thanks for the recipe! Happy tummies in his house tonight!
Oh now this looks incredibly tasty. So delish! Nice concept!
Leave it to you to make meatloaf look pretty. I love your styling and photography. Your recipes are wonderful too.
Your turkey meatloaf is such a sexy thang! How beautifully you’ve painted it with red barbecue sauce!
Genius recipe and breathtaking photography ♥ ╰⊰✿
I have a sudden craving for meatloaf. It looks tasty.
Yummers! I became a meatloaf fan thanks to my mother-in-law and now I love trying new variations. Your recipe sounds fantastic, thanks for sharing Bill.
I’m right there with you – fall means the start of comfort foods! What an exciting meatloaf recipe! Healthy, hearty and delicious! Great BBQ recipe as well.
Alas, one gets to an age where fat and calories really become a problem. 🙁 This recipe looks like a nice, flavorful way to help minimize both. I’ve never tried BBQ sauce with meatloaf before, and I don’t know why: I put it on everything else! Good stuff – thanks.
I love meatloaves, especially the ends, we fight over it.
Your plate looks absolutely delicious and every bit moist. Love it Bill.
I love your turkey meat loaf (so many flavors) and the BBQ sauce – gaawwwwsh!
I think you should start selling that stuff – it sounds amazing!
I love turkey meatloaf, this is definitely going on my list of recipe’s to try (along with everything else you cook). I’m never gonna have any free time!
Damn, this looks good. Food for the soul!
Velva
Meatloaf is a favorite! Always on the lookout for a great recipe! Can’t wait to make it!
What a great idea to combine two comfort foods – meatloaf & BBQ. I just want to jump right into the screen and have a fork full. Beautifully plated Bill.
Sam