Smoky Turkey Meatloaf with a Kick
Elevate your weeknight dinner game with a bold twist on traditional meatloaf. This recipe combines the richness of dark-meat turkey with the smokiness of chipotle chiles, smoked paprika, and powdered ancho chile. The result is a comforting, mildly spicy dish that’s sure to become a family favorite.
A Flavorful Foundation
The secret to this meatloaf’s success lies in its flavorful foundation. Start by heating your oven to 400°F and preparing a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Next, combine fresh white breadcrumbs and whole milk in a large bowl, setting it aside for later use.
Adding the Aromatics
Add some serious flavor to your meatloaf by pulsing three strips of applewood-smoked bacon in a food processor until coarsely ground. Then, transfer the bacon to the bowl with the breadcrumbs, along with beaten eggs, ketchup, minced chipotle chiles, onion, celery, cilantro, parsley, ancho chile powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine, making sure all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
The Turkey Takes Center Stage
Crumble two pounds of ground dark-meat turkey into the mixture, stirring gently to avoid compacting the meat. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet, shaping it into a log about 12 inches long and 5 inches wide.
A Sweet and Smoky Glaze
While the meatloaf bakes for 30 minutes, prepare a sweet and smoky glaze by combining the remaining ketchup and minced chipotle chiles in a small bowl. After the initial baking time, spread half of the glaze over the top and sides of the meatloaf, returning it to the oven for an additional 10 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Serve and Savor
Serve your smoky turkey meatloaf with the remaining chipotle glaze alongside, accompanied by sautéed green beans for a well-rounded, memorable meal that’s ready in under an hour.
Yield and Nutrition Information
Yield: 8 servings
Difficulty: Easy
Total Time: 1 hour
Active Time: 20 minutes
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