This ground turkey meatloaf is a lighter spin on a classic comfort food. It’s packed with lean protein and tastes moist, tender and super flavorful.
Healthy Dinner Idea
I admit growing up I wasn’t a huge fan of meatloaf. Over the years I’ve come to enjoy it more and more. Especially when it’s served alongside potatoes. Can’t beat homemade creamy mashed potatoes. Whenever I’m looking to lighten it up a bit, I’ll make this turkey meatloaf recipe. My mom makes a similar recipe pretty much every Sunday. They are huge fans!
This is a delicious way to lighten up one of your favorite comfort foods. I subbed ground turkey for beef in this recipe and the meatloaf turned out delicious. It’s now one of my favorite healthy dinner ideas, as well as my healthy turkey meatballs or turkey chili.
This turkey meatloaf is great for when you’re looking to add more protein and less fat into your diet. You can lighten it up even more by using half the amount of the meatloaf sauce, however I recommend using the full amount to cover the loaf entirely. It doesn’t skimp on flavor and is still super moist and tender.
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.
FORM & COAT. Place mixture in a foil lined 9×5″ loaf pan or shape into a loaf on top of a baking sheet. Then mix together the sauce ingredients and pour on top of the 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.
Cooking Tips
- Do not over stir the meat, it 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.
- For the sauce, I like to do a mix of ketchup and BBQ sauce. It adds the perfect flavor.
- If you’d like an extra sweet sauce, add more brown sugar.
- 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.
Variations
Turn into mini meatloaf muffins by pressing the meat mixture into a muffin tin. Or make crockpot turkey meatloaf and cook low and slow all day.
Freezer Instructions
This dish makes a great freezer meal. Simply mix the meat and form the mixture into a loaf shape (or in a loaf pan) and cover tightly with plastic wrap. If you don’t have a big crowd to feed you could even make smaller loaves and freeze half for later. Then store in freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw in fridge overnight when ready to enjoy. Then coat with sauce and bake according to directions.
Favorite Sides To Serve Alongside
This turkey meatloaf tastes great served with any of the below. We especially love to serve it with mashed potatoes, green beans and a warm, homemade roll. So comforting and delicious!
- Instant pot mashed potatoes
- Green beans
- Dinner rolls
- Roasted parmesan broccoli
- Glazed carrots
- Homemade mac and cheese
- Garlic mashed red potatoes
5 star review
“Omg. This is the best turkey meatloaf I’ve ever had! A definite keeper. No more looking for other recipes.”
-Larine K.
Other Favorite Comfort Dishes:
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Turkey Meatloaf
Ingredients
Meatloaf:
- 2 pounds 90% lean ground turkey , or 1 pound ground beef and 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 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 1/4 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Sauce:
- 1/2 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.
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!
This was absolutely delicious!! I did full turkey, dried parsley, and fresh onions and garlic (sautéed first – that’s a game changer for me!). My husband, who doesn’t really like meatloaf but eats it anyway when I make it, says it’s the best meatloaf I’ve ever made. So glad I found this one! Thanks for sharing!
This makes me so happy to hear! Glad it was a success for you both! Thanks for your comment and review, Erika :)
Easy and delicious. Made it half beef and half turkey. Next time I’ll take the time to chop up onion and garlic.
We love doing half beef and half turkey as well!
Absolutely delicious!! Had no panko, used reg unseasoned bread crumbs! Did half BBQ half ketchup! Really good!!
Easy and delicous Thank you.
I made it tonight all turkey, first time. I substituted Italian bread crumbs instead of panko, other than that I followed the recipe and it was delicious!!!!
So glad to hear! Thanks for your review Elsa :)
This recipe was fabulous! I haven’t had meatloaf in years and this was exactly what I was looking for. The only thing we did differently was 2% milk instead of whole.
It’s so delicious you’ll go back for more!
So glad to hear! Thanks for your review Cate :)
We really liked your recipe and will be making this more often as we love meatloaf, but are trying to eat healthier.
So glad you enjoyed the meatloaf :)
Can I substitute with ground chicken?
Yes you can also use ground chicken. It may be a little harder to form and keep shape though, since ground chicken is a little more tender.
I made this tonight on a whim lol half turkey half beef w mashed potatoes. It came out perfectly! This is a keeper for my family
We love doing half turkey and half beed as well. Glad it came out perfectly! :D
Can you use non fat/skim milk instead of whole milk?
That should work!
Best Turkey Meatloaf ever! You need to try this recipe! This is my second time making it in two weeks, I had to double the ingredients the second time my family devoured the first one!
This makes me so happy to hear, Doreen! Thank you for your comment and review :)