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Turkey Meatloaf with Fennel and Bacon

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Serves 8

  • by Allison Ehri Kreitler
    from Fine Cooking
    Issue 109

Wrapped in bacon and lashed with a double dose of fennel, this turkey meatloaf is anything but austere. Create your own customized meatlof recipe with the Recipe Maker.

  • 2 Tbs. plus 1 tsp. canola or olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 cup small-diced fennel
  • 2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 3/4 cup dry white wine
  • 4 oz. medium-coarse white bread, such as Italian or French, cut into 2-inch pieces (about 2-1/2 cups)
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 lb. ground turkey (not 100% breast meat)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup sliced scallions
  • 2 tsp. coarsely chopped fennel seeds
  • 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
  • Kosher Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 10 oz. sliced bacon (about 9 strips)
Tip:
For a leaner meatloaf, omit the bacon and instead glaze the loaf with 2 Tbs. honey before cooking (you can skip the broiling step at the end).

Heat 2 Tbs. of the oil in a 10- to 12-inch skillet over medium-low heat. Cook the onion, fennel, and garlic, stirring frequently, until softened and just beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes.

Add the white wine, and simmer briskly, until almost dry, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool until warm.

In a shallow dish that holds it in a single layer, soak the bread in the milk, flipping once, until soggy but not falling apart, 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the coarseness and freshness of the bread. Lightly squeeze a handful of bread at a time to remove some of the milk (it should be wet but not drenched). Finely chop and add to the bowl with the vegetable mixture.

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 375°F.

Add the turkey and eggs to the onion mixture. Scatter the scallions, fennel seeds, and red pepper flakes over the meat, and then sprinkle with the Worcestershire, 2-1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Use your hands to gently mix all the ingredients until just combined; try not to compact the mixture as you do this.

Heat the remaining 1 tsp. of oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Form 1 Tbs. of the meatloaf mixture into a small patty. When the oil is hot, cook the patty on both sides until cooked through, about 5 minutes total. Transfer to a plate and let cool slightly. Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, and other seasonings as needed. Repeat until you're satisfied with the flavor.

Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment. Transfer the meatloaf mixture to the baking pan and form into a 10x4-inch rectangular block (it becomes loaf-shaped as it cooks). Finish the meatloaf by draping it with slightly overlapping strips of bacon, tucking the ends under the loaf.

Bake until an instant-read thermometer registers 165°F in the center of the meatloaf, 40 to 55 minutes.

Broil the meatloaf about 6 inches from the broiler element until the bacon is brown and crisped, about 3 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board or serving platter with a large spatula and cut into 3/4- to 1-inch-thick slices.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with luscious Sour Cream and Leek Mashed Potatoes on the side and Red Grape, Polenta and Olive Oil Cake for dessert.
 

nutrition information (per serving):
Calories (kcal): 390; Fat (g): 22; Fat Calories (kcal): 200; Saturated Fat (g): 6; Protein (g): 31; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 9; Carbohydrates (g): 13; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 4.5; Sodium (mg): 810; Cholesterol (mg): 150; Fiber (g): 1;

Photo: Scott Phillips

Definitely a keeper!! I had all the ingredients except the fennel bulb when I came across this recipe and decided to try it anyway...OMGosh... the fennel seed gave just a hint of flavor. I will try this again when I get some fennel bulb, which I saw at Trader Joes the day after I made this... Try this, you won't be sorry. I did also experience a longer cook time needed for the correct internal temp.

Using ingredients exactly as written, resulted in a very juicy and tasty meatloaf. I found that it needed to be in the oven for at least another 20 minutes to achieve the correct internal temperature. I will definitely make it again.

This was fantastic! Loved the fennel flavor and the depth the soaked bread added. The bacon kept the meatloaf incredibly juicy. Used pre-packaged ground turkey that is sold in 1/25 lb containers and just increased the basic ingredients a bit. Needed to cook it longer to get to 165. Husband has already asked me to make it again.

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