If you’re looking for something unique to cook for Thanksgiving, you’ve found the right recipe. This turkey meatloaf recipe is healthy and delicious with a tart green apple, dried cranberries and lean ground turkey. Served with a side of mashed potatoes, gravy and some roasted vegetables, you’re got the perfect Thanksgiving meal.
This year, save yourself some time and hassle and change up the menu. My turkey meatloaf is pure comfort food with all of the flavors of Thanksgiving packed into one delicious loaf. Please comment below if you end up making this for Thanksgiving!
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Thanksgiving Turkey Meatloaf with Apple and Cranberries
- 2 pounds ground turkey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus a little extra for pan
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 2 celery ribs, finely chopped
- 1 Granny Smith or tart green apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
- 3/4 cup bread crumbs
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a loaf pan with olive oil and in a small bowl mix together honey and ketchup; set both aside.
Mix together the ground turkey, olive oil, onion, garlic, celery, apple, cranberries, bread crumbs, eggs, milk, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Use your hands to blend the ingredients thoroughly. Spread the turkey mixture onto your greased loaf pan, then brush top with honey and ketchup mixture.
Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. When juices run clear the meatloaf should be cooked. When cooked allow the loaf to cool for 5-10 minutes. To serve, slice and pair with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables.
Total Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Yield: serves 8
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my husband won’t eat sweet and savory together, and those are some of my favorite flavor combinations! Maybe I can make a little one of these for myself!
Hi Mimi – Same here, the flavors are wonderful together! You could definitely make a little one by halving the recipe, or even making mini meatloafs with a muffin pan 🙂
Wow, what an inventive dish! Meatloaf is a family classic, and what better way to have it than Thanksgiving style? The addition of the apple and cranberries sounds delightful. A cheesy mashed potato would do wonders next to this culinary creation.
Thanks so much, Julia! Yes, a cheesy mashed potato sounds great next to this meatloaf 🙂
The ingredient list does not mention rolled oats, but the instructions do. What quantity should be added? Thanks. Hope to make it this week.
Hi PK – Sorry about that! I deleted the rolled oats in the instructions, they shouldn’t be there. Can’t wait to hear how the meatloaf turns out!
This looks great! Will it still work if I decide to leave out the honey and ketchup on top? Thanks for sharing!
Yes it should work! The honey and ketchup acts as a glaze and enhances the flavor.