Zaatar Turkey Meatloaf

Meatloaf can be traced back to fifth century, medieval Europe where it began as a dish of finely minced meat scraps mixed with dried fruits, nuts, and seasonings.  Americans came to embrace the meatloaf, especially during the Great Depression, when they saw it as a way to stretch protein. Today, meatloaf is a comfort food classic that we all know and love.

But as much as we love meatloaf, we all know that excess red meat consumption leads to an increase in health problems, so today, we’re sharing our recipe for turkey meatloaf!  Swapping turkey for beef is a simple way to lighten up the fat and calorie content, but ground turkey has a tendency to be dry and bland.  To combat this, we’ve added an array of fresh veggies to help the meatloaf remain moist – they also add a healthy dose of fiber!  And to ensure that you’re not missing out in the flavor department, we’ve thrown in a good measure of zaatar – in the meatloaf itself and the glaze that’s baked into the top. 

You may now ask what is zaatar? It's a zesty, savory, Mediterranean spice mix with mainstay ingredients (if premium brand) of wild thyme (native to Middle East region) which adds a herbaceous slightly minty profile, sumac for a citrusy and tangy element, and roasted sesame seeds that add depth and a slight crunch. Zaatar is the perfect substitution for salt and pepper in this recipe, but importantly is a great way to add a delicious Mediterranean flair to just about any dish. Zaatar even offers health benefits.

  If you’ve never tried cooking with zaatar before, this recipe is the perfect excuse to try some! It’s important, however, to choose a reputable zaatar brand that is honest about its ingredients with no unknown fillings and substitutes.

And there you have it, a meatloaf that is low in fat but not in flavor! It’s easy to make and bound to become a dinner time staple. Plus, it’s great for meatloaf sandwiches the next day!

 Zaatar Turkey Meatloaf, served in a plate

 

Zaatar Turkey Meatloaf


Prep Time: 10 mins, Cook Time: 60 mins, Total Time: 70 mins
Servings: 6
Serving Size: 4 oz. slice           
Calories: 349, Fat: 13 g, Protein: 29 g, Carbs: 26 g, Fiber: 2 g

 

Ingredients
1 ½ lbs. ground turkey
½ cup shredded carrots
½ cup minced onion
¼ cup minced red bell pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
2 eggs
1 cup plain breadcrumbs
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon zaatar

 

For the glaze:
1/3 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons zaatar

 

 

Zaatar Turkey Meatloaf- Collage step one to five

Zaatar Turkey Meatloaf- Collage step six to seven

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the meatloaf.
  3. Using hands, mix until well combined.
  4. Turn the mixture out onto the prepared baking sheet and shape into a loaf.
  5. Bake for 30 minutes.
  6. While the meatloaf bakes, prepare the glaze by whisking the glaze ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth.
  7. After 30 minutes, remove the meatloaf from the oven, brush generously with the glaze, and return to the oven for another 30 minutes.
  8. Remove from the oven, cover loosely with aluminum foil, and allow the meatloaf to rest for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

 Zaatar Turkey Meatloaf-  ready to serve


2 comments

  • This recipe is the most amazing juicy flavorful turkey meatloaf I’ve ever tasted. I had to cook it a little longer because I used a stone loaf pan. Whole family was happy!

    Amy Taweel
  • Thank you for the amazing recipes
    Will follow all your recipes

    Margo Farah

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