Crockpot turkey meatloaf is made with just 10 minutes of prep time and ready for you when you walk in the door. Don’t let this delicious, no-fuss, comfort food classic fool you, it’s perfect for serving guests too!
More crockpot recipes made in the slow cooker include creamy crockpot Italian chicken, crockpot lasagna and this crockpot Mexican chicken.
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Easy Crockpot Meatloaf
A good old-fashioned meatloaf recipe is something every home cook should have because it’s so easy to make! It’s easy to jazz up a variety of meatloaf recipes like this stuffed meatloaf recipe or easy sheet pan meatloaf.
I’m taking my popular turkey meatloaf recipe and instead of making Instant Pot meatloaf to speed things up, I’m turning it into crockpot turkey meatloaf to slow things down.
Slow cooker recipes are perfect for days when you want to set it and forget it and not have to keep an eye on the oven while you go about doing other things. This slow cooker meatloaf recipe, sloppy turkey joes and crockpot turkey chili keep my family fed when life gets busy!
How to Make Slow Cooker Turkey Meatloaf
With just 10 minutes of prep time and a parchment-lined crockpot, you’re all set! Just combine all the ingredients until everything is incorporated, form into a loaf to fit the size of the slow cooker and voila! Cook until your house smells amazing and you have a meal to come home too.
Tips & Variations
- Do not overmix the meat mixture. Just mix to combine, otherwise, it will become overworked and dense.
- The parchment lining in the pot is there to help with not sticking but also for easy removal once it’s done.
- Substitute 1/4 cup fresh onion and 4 garlic cloves, minced, for the powders. Sauté them both before adding to the meat mixture.
- For a meatloaf made with beef, swap ground turkey for ground beef and everything else stays the same.
- If you like a little heat, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes to your meatloaf or some sriracha or chili sauce to the meatloaf sauce.
- Use a meat thermometer for accuracy. It should read 160-165F in the center when it’s done.
- BBQ meatloaf recipe: Use your favorite BBQ sauce instead of a traditional meatloaf sauce.
Gluten-Free Option
It’s an easy swap from regular breadcrumbs to gluten-free breadcrumbs or gluten-free oats. Gluten hides in condiments well, so just be sure to check the labels! Certified gluten-free ingredients are your best bet.
Best Meatloaf Side Dishes
Towards the end of the cooking time, I have the space to make my favorite garlic mashed red potatoes and green beans as a side and it’s all ready to go at once! The familiar, comforting smell of crockpot turkey meatloaf smothered in a delicious meatloaf sauce is enough to bring everyone rushing to the table!
- Homemade mac & cheese
- Parmesan roasted broccoli
- Green beans
- Loaded baked potato
- Steamed veggies
- Rosemary roasted potatoes
- Crispy smashed potatoes
Storing Leftovers
Store cooked and cooled meatloaf in the fridge. Ideally, you want to consume it within the first couple of days, but it can last for up to 4 days. To maintain freshness and prevent it from drying out, make sure to seal it in an airtight container.
More slow cooker favorites include crockpot Mississippi pot roast, Crockpot potato soup and slow cooker beef stroganoff.
More Ground Turkey Recipes
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Crockpot Turkey Meatloaf
Ingredients
Meatloaf Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds 90% lean ground turkey , you could also use half beef too
- ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 Tablespoons milk , or beef broth (more as needed)
- 1 large egg , whisked
- 1 egg white
- 2-3 Tablespoons fresh parsley , or 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 ½ Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ Tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
Sauce Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup ketchup or BBQ sauce , I like to mix half and half
- 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
Instructions
- Combine the meat, breadcrumbs, broth or milk, eggs, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder in a large bowl. Mix just until combined. Don't over mix or the meat won't be as tender. Add an extra 1 to 3 Tablespoons of panko crumbs if the mixture seems too wet.
- Line a slow cooker with parchment paper. This will help you when lifting the loaf out at the end. Place the meat in the slow cooker. Form the mixture into a loaf shape.
- Cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, or until the center reaches 165°F.
- Remove any extra liquid or fat from the crockpot with a turkey baster.
- In a small bowl, mix together the ketchup and/or BBQ sauce and brown sugar. Then pour over top of the meatloaf. Cook an additional 30 minutes in the slow cooker or move to a baking sheet (lift both side of the parchment paper) and broil for 1 to 2 minutes. Add pepper on top if desired.
- Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Then slice into 8-10 slices.
Notes
- You may substitute fresh onion and garlic (1/2 cup onion, 4 garlic cloves minced), however make sure to sauté them with a little olive oil before adding to the meat.
- If you prefer a little heat, add in a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat or a few dashes of chili sauce or sriracha to the meatloaf sauce.
- If you want to make this gluten free, use gluten free bread crumbs or old fashioned oats.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
This was a really good turkey meatloaf. We all loved it! The parchment paper lining was the best idea!! It was so easy to lift out and letting it rest kept it from falling apart. I was able to slice it perfectly.
How long should I cook for if I doubled the recipe?
If you’re doubling the recipe I would put them on 2 different pans (not one big loaf). I’d add on about 5-10 minutes and check from there for doneness.
Can I prepare it the night before and put it in the fridge? I get up at 6:15am and I dont think I will be able to do this in the morning.
Sure! Prepare and shape the meatloaf, then cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge. You can prepare the sauce in advance too, however I would brush it on in the morning right before cooking :)
My kids beg me to make meatloaf, but it is usually a time-consuming process, and then it takes forever to bake. Thank you for simplifying the process, with no lack in flavor!!
Such an amazing meatloaf recipe, more healthy too with the turkey. So flavorful and perfect for dinner. So easy in the crockpot.
I had never thought to make this in the crockpot but it was so good! Thank you for opening my eyes to this possibility!