Low Carb Turkey Meatloaf Recipe

According to food historians, chefs have been mixing ground meat with bread, vegetables and spices to provide meat to a large number of people and preclude wastage of leftovers like bread and vegetables. Meatloaf became popular in America after the Industrial Revolution and since then, it has become an integral part of the American cuisine. This change is also because it is easy to cook and can be modified into large varieties. As a result of the varying fillers and seasonings, it has become one of the favorite comfort foods of America. Although, traditional ground beef has been used to make meatloaves, ground turkey meatloaf recipes have also become popular now. In fact by using ingredients that have lower fat and carbohydrate contents, tasty low carb turkey meatloaf recipes can still be cooked.

Low carb Turkey Meatloaf Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. ground turkey meat (85 to 90 percent lean)
• 1 cup filler
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup finely chopped onion
• 1 tsp dry mustard powder
• 1 tsp dried sage
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ cup water or milk

The Filler

Filler's are important as only ground meat can be very dense and it would neither hold much juices. To solve this problem bread or oatmeal is added to the meatloaf. However, if it is a low carb meatloaf that you are cooking, then instead of using regular bread crumbs use low carb bread crumbs. Other low carb fillers are oatmeal, crushed pork rinds, dried vegetables like onion, tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach or green peppers. You can have your own choice of vegetables as per the flavor you want to give to your meatloaf.

The Seasoning

Besides Worcestershire sauce (which is used in this recipe), garlic and ketchup are other favorite seasonings. However, in case of a low carb preparation one has to consider the sugar content in regular ketchup.

Preparation

• Preheat the oven to about 350º F.
• Mix all the ingredients well in a large bowl. Egg works as a binder in this recipe. If you are using vegetables as fillers, grate them.
• Spread this mixture in a loaf pan and bake it for about an hour. A single large loaf pan would be good, although making several smaller meat loafs will cook it faster. Muffin cups could also be used instead of loaf pans. In case you are using muffin cups cook only for 15-20 minutes.

Turkey Meatloaf Recipe with Tomato Spinach Sauce

For those who want to add a little more taste to their turkey meatloaf maintaining the low carb factor, here is the turkey meatloaf recipe with tomato spinach sauce by Marcus Samuelsson - executive chef and owner of Riingo, one of the top restaurants of New York.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 8 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup couscous
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 sprig thyme, leaves removed from stems
• 4 sprig basil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 egg

Preparation

• Rinse couscous in water for 5-8 minutes.
• For making the tomato sauce, onion should be sautéed in olive oil for 3 minutes. Stir in chili powder, garlic and bell pepper. Now add thyme and tomatoes, and allow it to simmer for 25 minutes.
• Spread one cup of tomato sauce on to a baking sheet and let it cool. Continue simmering rest of the tomato sauce on low heat.
• Once the sauce has cooled down, mix it with half the couscous. Then add ground turkey and egg. For seasoning, add salt and pepper to taste and stir all these ingredients well.
• Shape the mixture into a loaf and bake it in the oven for 1 hour at 350º F.
• Just five minutes before the meatloaf is ready fold in the basil, spinach and rest of the couscous into the sauce.
• Serve your tasty and healthy turkey meatloaf with tomato spinach sauce!

What makes a meatloaf popular is that it is tasty, filling and easy to make. Small variations can be easily made to innovate on the taste. So go ahead and serve your family a delicious and healthy home cooked low carb turkey meatloaf!