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Easy Mini Turkey Meatloaf Muffins: Best Guest Favorite Recipe

mini turkey meatloaf muffins - featured image

These mini turkey meatloaf muffins are perfectly portioned, cook in half the time of a traditional loaf, and feature a caramelized glaze. They’re a crowd-pleasing, quick, and easy dinner idea that’s perfect for hosting or busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ lbs (680g) ground turkey (93% lean)
  • ¾ cup (60g) panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ½ cup (75g) yellow onion, finely grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) ketchup, plus more for topping
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon (5ml) Dijon mustard
  • ½ cup (60g) shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
  • For the glaze:
  • ¼ cup (60ml) ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon (12g) brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon (2.5ml) apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray a 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add grated onion and cook for about 2 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together egg, ⅓ cup ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard until smooth.
  4. Add ground turkey, panko breadcrumbs, sautéed onion and garlic, shredded cheddar (if using), salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Divide the meat mixture evenly among the 12 muffin cups. Press down gently to fill the cups, mounding the tops slightly.
  6. In a small bowl, stir together ¼ cup ketchup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar for the glaze. Spoon about 1 teaspoon over each meatloaf muffin.
  7. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Rotate the pan at the 15-minute mark for even browning.
  8. Let the meatloaf muffins rest in the tin for 5 minutes. Run a knife around the edges to loosen, then lift out onto a serving platter.

Notes

Don’t overmix the meat to avoid tough muffins. Grate the onion instead of dicing to release moisture. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) without overcooking. Let the muffins rest for 5 minutes before serving to keep them moist. For a larger crowd, double the recipe and bake on two racks, swapping positions halfway through.

Nutrition

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