This family favorite turkey meatloaf is a lighter spin on a classic comfort food made with lean protein. This ground turkey meatloaf is flavorful, juicy and impresses any skeptics!
Best Turkey Meatloaf Recipe
Whenever I’m looking to lighten up ground beef meatloaf, I’ll make this turkey meatloaf recipe. It’s now become a staple in our house and is a favorite healthy dinner idea, sometimes I even make it crockpot turkey meatloaf in the slow cooker.
Substituting ground turkey for beef makes this turkey meatloaf leaner without sacrificing taste just like in this turkey sloppy joe recipe! It’s juicy and flavorful and you can lighten it up a bit more by using half the amount of the meatloaf sauce.
Key Ingredients
- Ground turkey: I love to use a lean ground turkey, which doesn’t produce a lot of grease. Do not use shredded turkey, it won’t work.
- Breadcrumbs: This will help bind the meat together. You can make your own homemade breadcrumbs if you’d like or use almond meal or rolled oats to keep it gluten free.
- Egg: This will also help to bind the mix together.
- Seasonings: Don’t skimp on the seasonings, these will bring all the flavors together.
- Sauce: For the sauce, I like to do a mix of ketchup and BBQ sauce. It adds the perfect flavor. If you like it sweeter add some brown sugar.
How To Make Turkey Meatloaf
- Mix. Combine the meatloaf ingredients in a large bowl and mix just until combined. Be careful not to over mix or the meat won’t be as tender.
- Combine. Mix together sauce ingredients.
- Form and coat. Place mixture on a rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or a 9×5″ loaf pan. Shape into a loaf on top of a baking sheet. Pour sauce on top of meat.
- Bake. Bake in the oven at 375°F for about 45 minutes, or until center reaches 160°F on a meat thermometer. Let rest on pan for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.
Meatloaf Tips and Variations
- Do not over stir the meat, as overworked meat will not be as tender.
- If your family is not used to ground turkey, I would start with half ground turkey and half ground beef. This is how I converted my kids.
- If you’d like a little bit of a kick, add hot sauce, sriracha sauce or red pepper flakes to the meat or sauce.
- 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.
- Turn this into mini meatloaf muffins by pressing the meat mixture into cupcake tins. You could also make smaller loaves and bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Double the recipe by doubling all the ingredients and then forming it into two loaves.
- The best way to tell when turkey meatloaf is done is to insert an instant read thermometer into the center. It should read 160°F and no longer be pink.
Favorite Sides To Serve Alongside
This really is the best turkey meatloaf recipe! We love to serve it with scalloped potatoes or try turning it into a one pan meal by making sheet pan meatloaf!
Freezer Instructions
Ground turkey meatloaf makes a great freezer meal. Mix the meat and form the mixture into a loaf shape (or in a loaf pan) and cover tightly with plastic wrap. You could even make smaller loaves and freeze half for later.
Store in freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge overnight when ready to enjoy, then coat with sauce and bake according to directions.
Looking for more meatloaf recipes? Try this BBQ meatloaf recipe, mozzarella stuffed meatloaf or sheet pan meatloaf!
More Ground Turkey Recipes
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Turkey Meatloaf
Video
Ingredients
Meatloaf:
- 2 pounds 90% lean ground turkey , or 1 pound ground beef and 1 pound ground turkey
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup whole milk , or beef broth, plus more as needed
- 2 large eggs , whisked
- 2-3 Tablespoons fresh parsley , or 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tablespoons ketchup
- 1 ¼ teaspoons Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Sauce:
- ½ cup ketchup or BBQ sauce , I like to mix half and half
- 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet or 9×5-inch loaf pan with foil. Lightly spray with nonstick spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the turkey, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until combined. Don't overmix or the meat won't be as tender.
- Form the mixture into a loaf shape on the baking sheet. In a small bowl, mix together the ketchup and/or BBQ sauce and brown sugar. Pour over the top of the meatloaf. Add pepper on top, if desired.
- Bake meatloaf 45 to 55 minutes, or until the center reaches 160°F. Allow to rest 5 to 10 minutes before slicing into 8 to 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.
- If you prefer your meatloaf extra saucy, you can always mix up another batch and brush more on the last 10 minutes of cooking or use it for dipping.
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!
Categorized as: American, Dinner, Freezer-Friendly, Freezer-Friendly, Reader Favorites
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.
Oh My God this was Amazing ! My boys couldn’t get enough of it. Thank you so much
So happy to hear that! Thanks for your comment and review :)
My wife cannot have tomato based products, what else could I top the meatloaf with? Thanks
A teriyaki sauce could be a good option! I love this recipe: https://www.iheartnaptime.net/teriyaki-sauce/#recipe
This was actually quite tasty. I did saute the onions and garlic. I don’t have panko, so used a handful of corn flakes like my mama did. A little less salt. The results were really good,and saving the recipe. I wish had divided half and froze it.
I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Debra! Crushed cornflakes sound like a delicious substitution :)
Loved your turkey loaf recipe. There’s only 2 of us, so I cut the recipe down. Did not need the milk or ketchup inside the loaf. But, I’m making again. Best turkey loaf recipe, ever. Thanks….
I’m so glad you were able to make the recipe work for you, Jeanie! :)
Is there a reason to sauté the fresh onion before adding to mixture? I forgot to😬 but kids, baby and husband love, love, loved it!
It makes them softer, adds more flavor and helps release more of their moisture into the meatloaf :) But if you enjoyed the recipe without sautéing first, then go for it!
This is without a doubt the best meatloaf I have ever eaten! My husband loved it and could not wait for me to make again. I did add, maybe a quarter cup of very finely chopped red onion to the recipe but that is all I changed. You won’t be disappointed with this recipe, it is delicious👍
Yay, this makes me so happy to hear! Glad you and your husband enjoyed it so much, Joyce :)
Soooo great! I went by the recipe and added chopped onion and diced spinach! Definitely keeping this recipe on hand!
Chopped onion and spinach sound delicious. :) I’m so happy you loved the recipe, Lauren!
Omg. This is the best turkey meatloaf I’ve ever had! A definite keeper. No more looking for other recipes. Only difference was I used 85/15 ground turkey instead of 90/10 because that is what I had. Combined all ingredients before I added the turkey and gently combined. Thank you!
You are so welcome! I love to hear that you enjoyed the recipe so much! :)
Very good. Used shallots, spicy smoked paprika
Sounds delicious!
We love this meatloaf. I have used Ina Garten’s turkey meatloaf recipe for years but this is now a family favorite.
I’m so happy to hear that, Ruth! :)
So flavorful and moist!!! Yum!!! Will definitely make again.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it :)
Love this recipe. Is the nutrition information per serving or for the entire dish?
It’s per serving (there are 8 total servings in this dish).
This recipe was so easy a d so good’
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Lana!
Love this turkey loaf! It’s moist and delicious. I make it 2-3 times a month. I’ve tried others but this one is the best.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks for your comment and review :)
I made this recipe twice and both times it took additional time to reach 160 degrees. Bake time was closer to 90 minutes.
Thanks for the review, Kay! Each oven bakes differently, so some may take a little longer than others :) Glad you kept an eye on it!
What temperature you baked?
Bake at 375°F for 45 to 55 minutes
This meatloaf is super delicious! Highly recommended.
I’m so happy to hear that you loved it, Cindy! :)
This turkey meatloaf recipe is delicious. One of the only recipes that doesn’t call for onions. I did substitute BBQ sauce (I had on hand) for the ketchup (which I never have on hand) and it was great. Thank you for sharing!!
Sara
I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed it, Sara :) Thanks for your comment and review!
Flavorful, tender, moist. So good.
I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed it :)