Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Nothing sets the stage like a warm oven, ready to transform your meatloaf into a golden masterpiece.
In a small bowl, mix together the dark brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and ketchup. This glaze brings a delightful balance of sweetness and tang to the dish. Set aside.
In a medium-sized skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is soft and translucent. This step adds an aromatic depth to the meatloaf.
In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, sautéed onions and garlic, eggs, sea salt, black pepper, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, dried thyme, and ground cumin.
Use your hands to mix everything gently but thoroughly. Over-mixing can lead to a dense texture, which we want to avoid.
Transfer the mixture into a loaf pan. Shape it into a loaf that's even and smooth on top. The loaf should fill the pan nicely without overflowing.
Spread the prepared glaze generously over the top of the meatloaf. This glaze will caramelize as it bakes, giving your meatloaf a heavenly finish.
Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven. Bake for about 1 hour or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). This is crucial for the meat to cook through safely.
Once baked, take the meatloaf out of the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, making each slice tender and juicy.