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From our kitchen

Apple Cheddar Turkey Meatloaf

From our kitchen · November 2, 2026

A green panel reads "Dinner This Week — We want your favorite recipe! Share the dish your family loves." Beside it, a glazed turkey meatloaf part-sliced on an oval platter with thyme, on a wooden table by an autumn window.
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Turkey meatloaf needs a little help staying moist. A grated apple and a softened onion do that job here, with cheddar for flavor and a thin mustard-maple glaze on top.

I grate the apple rather than chopping it. Small pieces disappear into the loaf, so nobody finds a large sweet pocket in the middle of dinner. The cheese gets mixed through too; it belongs in the slice, not only on the surface.

Use a light hand when mixing. Once everything is evenly combined, stop. I used to keep working meatloaf as if I were kneading bread, which explained a few dinners better than any excuse about the oven.

Let the loaf rest before cutting it. Five minutes is enough time to drain a pot of potatoes or carry the vegetables over. The first slice may still be less tidy than the others. I usually take that one, with a little extra glaze from the pan. It tastes just as good, and everybody gets to eat while it's hot.

Serves
6
Prep
20 min
Cook
55 min
Total
1 hr 15 min

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil

  • 1 small onion, finely diced

  • 1½ pounds ground turkey, 93% lean

  • 1 medium firm apple, peeled, cored, and coarsely grated, about ¾ cup

  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar

  • ½ cup plain breadcrumbs

  • 1 large egg

  • 2 tablespoons milk

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • ½ teaspoon dried rubbed sage

  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

Directions

  1. 1

    Heat oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.

  2. 2

    Heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook onion 5 minutes until softened; cool slightly.

  3. 3

    In a large bowl, gently combine turkey, grated apple, cheddar, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, onion, salt, sage, and pepper.

  4. 4

    Shape into a loaf about 8 by 4 inches on the baking sheet. Mix Dijon and maple syrup and brush over the top.

  5. 5

    Bake 45–55 minutes, until the center reaches 165°F. If the glaze darkens early, tent loosely with foil.

  6. 6

    Rest 5 minutes before slicing.

One family tip

If your grated apple is dripping wet, squeeze it lightly once before adding; you want moisture without a puddle.

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