This Turkey Meatloaf recipe is so easy, moist and flavorful, it doesn’t miss a beat. Made with ground turkey, perfectly seasoned and drizzled with a sweet ketchup topping. It has all the things we love in a classic meatloaf recipe with a healthy twist! In an hour you’ll have a low fat, low calorie, comfort food on your table which the whole family will enjoy!
If you love meatloaf as much as we do, sometimes it’s nice to have options. Check out the Best Easy Meatloaf recipe for your red meat option. Serve both of them with Sweet Potatoes, Roasted Potatoes or Cauliflower Rice and a vegetable, like Balsamic Brussel Sprouts or Roasted Green Beans for the perfect healthy meal with the best sides.
We all know once turkey is cooked on its own it can be quite bland and dry. For all the health benefits it provides us, juicy and moist are not a part of the package. This is where all of the added ingredients make a difference. The garlic and sauteed onion along with black pepper help make the inside so incredibly juicy and flavorful.
The term “clean eating” has become a bit of a hot topic these days. Some folks believe it gives a negative connotation to those who can not afford organic produce or to shop at local higher end grocery stores. But the truth is, clean eating can definitely be affordable and does not only encompass eating organically.
This turkey meatloaf delivers on all accounts! It is a complete, filling and healthy meal and inexpensive. This, my friends, is clean eating at its best. Homemade, wholesome, nutritious and affordable.
This is a great make ahead recipe. Make two at a time and freeze one for a later date. Just take it out to thaw the night before or morning of and reheat! It’s perfect for busy families, and super satisfying!
How to make turkey meatloaf
Preheat the oven.
Melt coconut oil in a saute pan and cook onion and garlic until soft, stirring occasionally.
Remove onion and garlic and place in a large bowl to cool.
After a few minutes of cooling, add turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup and pepper to the onion mixture. Mix and combine all ingredients either with a wooden spoon or by hand.
Form into a loaf shape and place in a glass baking dish. You can also use a parchment lined baking sheet or a lined (or glass) bread loaf pan.
Bake in the oven until completely cooked through. The ketchup drizzle over top is an option if you’d like to add a little extra saucy sweetness to your meatloaf.
Pro Tips: For a gluten free alternative, use gluten free breadcrumbs or old fashioned oats.
Let it rest before slicing. Otherwise you will lose all the juices and it won’t hold its shape as nicely.
For little appetites, use a muffin tin instead of a loaf pan for mini loaves!
Substitute the ketchup topping for BBQ sauce for a smokier flavor.
Use a store bought egg replacer instead of eggs. Keep in mind that eggs help with moisture.
How do I keep turkey meatloaf moist?
Don’t overwork the meat! When it comes time to combining the ingredients together, do not over mix. Soak the breadcrumbs in milk ahead of time to help re hydrate the dry crumbs and you can use 93% lean ground turkey rather than 99%.
How long to bake turkey meatloaf?
The ideal temperature for turkey meatloaf is 350 degrees for approximately 50-55 minutes. The internal temperature should read 160-170 degrees.
Can I freeze it?
Yes! Once completely cooled, this meatloaf will keep in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in foil. You can even slice it and freeze it in slices and only take out what you need!
ENJOY!
Try these other healthy recipes using ground turkey too:
Turkey Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 2 TBSP coconut oil or olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 20 ounces 1 20 oz package of 99% Fat Free ground turkey eat
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs or 2 pieces of Ezekiel bread toasted and broken into pieces.
- 1 egg or 1/4 cup liquid egg whites
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- Melt coconut oil in a saute pan.
- Cook onion and garlic in melted oil for about 5-7 minutes until soft, stirring occasionally.
- Place the cooked onion and garlic in a large bowl to cool for 5 minutes.
- Mix turkey, bread crumbs, egg, ketchup, and pepper with onion mixture.
- Shape into a "Loaf" and place in a glass baking dish.
- Bake for 50-55 minutes or until cooked completely through.
Mikayla
Hi there, I was wondering how much is a serving? And how many calories per serving? Hope you can help! Thanks
Annette Turrentine
This looks great! I’m going to make it with your recipe first. Then, I will make your recipe using 1 piece toasted bread & 1/4 cup crumbled cornbread, a little poultry seasoning and some sage (I love sage with turkey.), and I’ll throw in some coarsely chopped fresh or frozen cranberries. Maybe I’ll drizzle some turkey gravy over it. Baked potato or baked sweet potato and green beans would be the sides. Of coarse, crustless pumpkin pie in a small mason jar is the perfect ending. How about a little Thanksgiving any time of year! Yea! Thank you.
Paula Zugmaier
My daughter suggested this recipe, knowing I like to use ground turkey AND that her dad loves meatloaf–after the first bite, Dad said, “Make this AGAIN!” And I have, many times!
The coconut oil gives a subtle sweet flavor to the turkey and it’s so easy to throw together!
(I started cutting up a whole bag of onions when I buy one and freezing them in baggies–this really saves on time!)
Five stars!!
Sherri
I’m SO happy to hear it was such a hit!!
Leslie
Wow! I made this fo dinnerand it was delish! Because ground tukey can be bland, I did add my own seasonings to the recipe: added poultry spices, thyme, chayenne and sriracha ketchup. Countered the savory spice with a sweet potato and it was a delicious clean meal
Sherri
I’m so happy you enjoyed it! Have a great weekend 🙂
swathi
Very nice, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning.
Miz Helen
I am ready for some Meatloaf and your recipe looks delicious. Thanks so much for sharing this awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday. Have a great week and hope to see you again real soon!
Miz Helen
Ashley
This looks wonderful!! I am doing a clean eating collection post on Tuesday on my blog. May I include this recipe (photo and link back)?
Sherri
Absolutely! Thank you so much!
Carney
Hello!
Could I make this in a crockpot/ slow cooker?! I’m hoping so!
Thanks!!
Sherri
Absolutely!! You can cook it for 5-6 hours on low 🙂
christine colton
Can you make this without the bread crumbs?!
Sherri
You could use oatmeal instead of bread crumbs. I have done that several times. I use the old fashioned oats but you could put them in the food processor to make more fine if you’d like.
Kate
Just made this meatloaf for the first time and let me tell you, it was PERFECT! (Probably shouldn’t admit this, but hubby and I ate the whole thing in one sitting!) I’ve made other turkey meatloaf recipes and they were dry, or had a bunch of spices added but we still kind of bland. This recipe was simple, yet tasted like it had a lot more ingredients, and it was also NOT DRY 🙂 Thank you! Looking forward to trying more of your recipes and checking out your site.
Sherri
I’m so glad you liked it! We are known to eat the whole thing ourselves too! 🙂
Kristina & Millie
we love cooking with ground turkey – not only is it healthier but the meat will pick up the flavors of the spices and seasonings so well! This recipe sounds delish and I can’t wait to give it a try. Hubby LOVES meatloaf!
Jann Olson
Sounds like a wonderful and healthy meatloaf! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Terry
Hi Sherri,
This sounds delicious! I was recently introduced to Ezekial bread – sounds like a great way to use it.
Thanks,
Terry
Fe
This look so good. I am going to have to try it. Thanks for sharing over at the Snickerdoodle Sunday.
Lisa @ Fun Money Finds
Saving this to my favorite. I always use turkey for meatballs and meatloaf and can always use some new recipes. Can’t wait to try these!
Michelle
We eat ground turkey quite a bit. I’ve made a meatloaf with it before and wasn’t a fan. Now, I read your recipe and so going to try it with the onions carmelized. I love turkey burgers so that is as far as we get. Your recipes just inspired me. I like how you suggested what to pair it with. I do that too in my recipes, a nice touch for the newbie cooks. Linking from Pieced Pastimes.
Christine
Your husband is a GENIUS! Healthy. Caramelized onions. Comfort food. On a side note, I love when I can convince my husband to cook, too. I sometimes underestimate his abilities and a girl needs to be reminded the man can cook!
GiGi Eats
OH HECK YES! I haven’t had turkey in some time, but I am 100000% game!
Jocelyn
I made this for lunch today, and everyone loved it! I know this sounds strange, but I baked it in a pie pan instead of a loaf pan. I find meatloaf cooks faster and more evenly this way, without risk of drying out on top. Also, it’s easier to cut and serve. (I guess you could say it’s more of a meat pie than a meat loaf, but it tastes just the same!)
Sherri
That is a fabulous idea!! I’m going to try it myself next time I make it! I love learning something new 🙂
Carmen
My friend substitutes turkey for just about any traditional ground beef meal. I am not a huge fan of ground turkey but will definitely be trying this one! Looks delicious!