I arrived home from Costco, recently, with a 7 pound package of ground turkey - only to open the freezer and realize that I had purchased the same thing last week! Rather than store 14 pounds of ground turkey in my freezer ad infinitum, I decided to cook through my favorite ground turkey recipes and share them with you!
This meatloaf is deliciously moist and flavorful. I've never had a bad batch. With five POUNDS of turkey, it makes an enormous loaf, so feel free to cut the recipe in half. With a family of six, however, I'm always looking for large recipes, so this one is a keeper! I usually put half in the freezer for another meal and still have enough leftovers for sandwiches!
Ina's Turkey Meatloaf
The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, by Ina Garten
3 CUPS chopped yellow onions (2 large onions)
2 TABLESPOONS olive oil
2 TEASPOONS kosher salt
1 TEASPOON freshly ground black pepper
1 TEASPOON fresh thyme leaves (1/2 teaspoon dried)
1/3 CUP Worcestershire sauce
3/4 CUP chicken stock
1 1/2 TEASPOONS tomato paste (or more)
5 POUNDS ground turkey breast
3 extra-large eggs, beaten
3/4 CUP ketchup
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
In a medium saute' pan, on medium-low heat, cook the onions, olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme until the onions are translucent but not browned, approximately 15 minutes. Add the Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and tomato paste and mix well. Allow to cool at room temperature.
Combine the ground turkey, bread crumbs, eggs, and onion mixture in a large bowl. Mix well and shape into a rectangular loaf on an baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread the ketchup evenly on top. Bake for s1 1/2 hours, until the internal temperature is 160 degrees and the meat loaf is cooked through. (A pan of hot water in the oven, under the meatloaf will keep the top fro cracking.) Serve hot, room temperature or cold in a sandwich.