Turkey Loaf with Homemade Gravy (Printable)
Juicy ground turkey loaf with aromatic vegetables, topped with silky homemade gravy. A satisfying comfort food classic.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Turkey Loaf
01 - 1.5 lbs ground turkey
02 - 1 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 0.5 cup milk
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 small carrot, grated
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
09 - 1.5 teaspoons salt
10 - 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
13 - 2 tablespoons ketchup
→ Gravy
14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
15 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
16 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth
17 - 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
18 - 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
19 - Salt and black pepper to taste
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper or lightly grease with cooking spray.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk; allow to soak for 2 minutes until breadcrumbs are softened. Add ground turkey, egg, onion, garlic, carrot, parsley, salt, black pepper, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
03 - Press the mixture evenly into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top surface with the back of a spoon to create an even finish.
04 - Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until the center reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and juices run clear when pierced. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
05 - While the loaf bakes, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant. Gradually whisk in broth to prevent lumps. Add onion powder and garlic powder. Bring to a gentle simmer, whisking frequently, until thickened, approximately 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
06 - Slice the rested turkey loaf and arrange on serving plates. Spoon warm gravy generously over each slice. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The turkey loaf slices hold together beautifully without crumbling, which I discovered after countless failed attempts with other recipes.
- That homemade gravy transforms this from a simple weeknight dinner into something that feels worthy of company, without any extra effort.
02 -
- Overmixing the turkey mixture will result in a dense, tough loaf, so fold ingredients together just until combined, even if it looks a bit uneven.
- The turkey loaf is done when it reaches 165°F at the center, not a moment before or after, which I learned the hard way after serving both undercooked and dried-out versions.
03 -
- Line your loaf pan with parchment paper with enough overhang to create handles, making it infinitely easier to lift the entire loaf out intact after baking.
- For the silkiest gravy, warm your broth slightly before adding it to the roux, which prevents lumps from forming and speeds up the thickening process.