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.
Hey y’all, this is my first time making a Turkey Meatloaf and this is definitely a great recipe!!! I added a little grilled roasted peppers and onions because I love them in a meatloaf but as y’all know that’s optional.
That sounds so delicious! Glad you loved the recipe, Vanessa :)
This is the best recipe for turkey meatloaf Ive ever had! I use ground turkey breast, was afraid it might be a little dry. Nope! Also used my homemade cowboy candy bbq sauce on top. ill never make it any other way now!
Yay! So happy you enjoyed the recipe, Teresa :)
This was soooo delicious!!! I always could never find a recipe without onions. The onion powder and other spices are perfect. The ketchup brown sugar topping makes this meatloaf even more delicious!!
Yay, I’m so happy the recipe was a hit for you Katelyn :)
Can you use turkey gravy instead of BBQ sauce /ketchup? Making for diabetic
I haven’t tried, but I think that would be delicious :)
I used turkey gravy, it was amazing!! I also Sautéed my onions, garlic and did colored peppers too. Highly recommended!
Sounds delicious!
it was an instant hit in my house, 5 stars
Yay, love to hear this!
We’ve made turkey meatloaf in the past and it was dry and flavorless. This recipe was such a nice surprise. Moist with just enough flavor so that both those that like to season things with a lot of spices and those that like it a bit more subdued were both happy. Thank you.
I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe, Kathleen! Thanks for your comment :)
Finally a meatloaf that I love!
Yay! Glad you enjoyed the recipe, Julie :)
Hi, can I use a meatloaf pan instead of putting it on a baking sheet?
Yes you can :)
I’ve made this so many times. It’s one of our family favorites.
I’m so happy to hear that, Joy! Thank you for your comment and review :)
Awesome
Delicious and easy to prepare!
So glad you enjoyed the recipe Renee :)
This is one of the best Turkey meatloaves I have ever made. I did use real yellow onions and made roasted red potatoes with seasoning, and I added freshly grated cheese on top of meatloaf and potatoes. The brown sugar with the Heinz ketchup made a great sauce on top.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe, Christina! Your modifications sound delicious!
My husband said this was the best meatloaf I’ve made so far. I did omit the brown sugar but I may give it a try at some point
Yay, so happy to hear it’s husband approved :)
I used all organic fresh ingredients & egg whites from a carton. Came out a bit wet so I used a loaf pan. Came together nicely. Moist, full of flavor & the BBQ & Catsup sauce was the bomb! Thank you 🙏🏼
So glad you enjoyed it, Pete! Thanks for your comment and review :)
Great recipe.. Freezes and reheats well in pre-portioned freezer meal prep. Have made it several times.
Great idea to freeze them pre-portioned :) So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Love this recipe. It’s our go to meatloaf! I have to double the eggs and panko to make it a little thicker though. First time came out too soft! Otherwise it’s a delicious recipe!
So glad you enjoyed it, Maureen :)
Pretty good! I added the milk as well as a heaping teaspoon of beef better than bullion. Didn’t have garlic powder, so I added minced garlic. I also didn’t have Panko bread crumbs , so I substituted crushed buttery crackers. The mixture seemed to moist to me. I was worried that it was too moist and thought I should add extra cracker crumbs. I decided to just leave it and see how it came out. It was so moist that I had a bit of trouble forming it into a loaf shape. All that aside, it came out good. Nice and moist with a good flavor. Next time I will add actual chopped onion and maybe some chopped bell peppers for color.
So glad you enjoyed it :)
I’m so glad I discovered this recipe! My family loves it — even the grandchildren so my daughter now makes it regularly. I make it in quantity and form it into individual sized loaves, cook it in advance, and then can just pop one out of the freezer and microwave it when I need a meal. Am planning to try adding grated carrots to it to get a veggie in it. As I didn’t have the panko crumbs handy, I just used my “regular” Italian bread crumbs. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
I’m so happy to hear it’s a family favorite, Beth! Love your idea of making mini loaves for individual servings :)