Healthy Turkey Meatloaf
Posted Jan 31, 2022, Updated Feb 19, 2024
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This easy turkey meatloaf recipe is tender, moist and flavorful with a delicious glaze. A healthy version of a classic that your whole family will love! Watch the video and follow our step-by-step instructions to learn how to make turkey meatloaf!
This turkey meatloaf recipe is a quick and easy dinner that my entire family enjoys. From my husband down to my sweet baby who is just learning to eat finger foods, everyone gobbles it up whenever I make it (same with this classic meatloaf recipe).
It is tender and moist with a delicious glaze. Using turkey lightens it up but no one will be able to tell that you made a leaner swap because it’s so flavorful and delicious!
Serve this ground turkey meatloaf with some roasted broccoli, the best mashed potatoes (or mashed sweet potatoes) and delicious dinner rolls (or whole wheat dinner rolls) for a special meal!
Turkey Meatloaf Ingredients & Substitutions
- Ground turkey. Ground chicken can be use for all or half of the ground turkey. For a ground beef version click here: Best Meatloaf Recipe.
- Bread Crumbs. I explain how to make your own breadcrumbs (so easy) in the recipe, you can substitute quick-cooking oats for the breadcrumbs but it will slightly effect the texture.
- Onion. any onion variety works well, sweet onions, red, yellow, white, etc.
- Milk. We use whole milk, but any variety works well. The higher the fat content the better. Half and half and heavy cream can be used too. You can also replace milk with BBQ sauce, if desired for extra flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce. BBQ sauce is a great substitute for Worcestershire sauce.
- Minced garlic. freshly roasted and crushed garlic can be used in place of store-bought minced garlic. You can also substitute 1 tsp garlic powder for 1 TBS minced garlic.
- Light brown sugar. dark brown sugar can be used in place of light.
How to Make Turkey Meatloaf
This ground turkey meatloaf is a simple recipe that’s great for a weeknight dinner. Follow our step-by-step instructions and don’t forget to watch the video.
Make the Glaze
Begin this recipe by making the glaze. Simply mix the ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside. I like to do this first so it’s ready to spread on the turkey meatloaf when it’s time.
Make the Meatloaf
Next, prepare the turkey meatloaf. Begin by combining the wet ingredients in a large bow.
Then, add the ground turkey, onions and breadcrumbs and stir until combined.
Bake
I prefer to make a free-form loaf because the outside/top covered in glaze is my favorite part.
To do this, line a wire rack with aluminum foil and poke holes in it (for any excess fat to drain through). This keep keeps the meatloaf from getting soggy!
Then, arrange the meatloaf mixture into a large loaf (about 8โ by 5โ by 2โ) on top of the foil. At this point, you can wrap the loaf in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator until dinnertime (if you are preparing the turkey meatloaf in advance).
Next, bake the turkey meatloaf for 40 minutes (note: the size and shape of your loaf will effect baking time).
Then, remove it from the oven and spread the glaze on top.
Once the glaze is evenly coating the turkey meatloaf, bake it for 10 additional minutes or until the turkey meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.
If necessary, broil for the 2-4 minutes to caramelize the top.
Serve
Let the meatloaf cool for at least 5 minutes before cutting and serving.
Serving suggestions
This delicious turkey meatloaf recipe deserves to be served with the best sides! Here are some of our favorites:
- Mashed potatoes. these herby, garlicky mashed potatoes are the best ever.
- Fries. make some homemade french fries or sweet potato fries.
- Green beans. a side of roasted green beans, parmesan roasted green beans or these sautรฉed green beans pairs well with this recipe.
- Serve with a side of these crispy oven roasted potatoes!
- Roasted vegetables. I adore roasted vegetables, try any of these: roasted broccoli, roasted carrots, balsamic roasted vegetables, balsamic roasted Brussel sprouts, and roasted Brussel sprouts with bacon.
- Salad. A side salad pairs perfectly with this best meatloaf recipe. Try this burrata salad, Brussel sprout salad, quinoa salad or this coleslaw!
- Bread. fresh, warm homemade bread is a perfect side dish to this easy meatloaf. try this no knead bread, homemade dinner rolls, pretzel bread, whole wheat dinner rolls, and this amazing cornbread.
How to Store Turkey Meatloaf
Store this recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave or oven.
Turkey Meatloaf Recipe FAQs
The milk and eggs in this recipe make it very moist. Make sure to use a thermometer to test for doneness to avoid over-baking (and thus, drying out) the meatloaf.
Yes! I recommend freezing this recipe in individual slices in an airtight container for up to 2 months. To reheat, remove from the freezer and warm in the microwave or covered in the oven.ย
The milk acts as a binding agent along with the eggs. It soaks into the breadcrumbs and keeps the loaf held together and moist. You can use non-dairy milk or barbecue sauce in place of milk.
In this recipe it is baked uncovered to brown and crisp the outside.
A combination of eggs and bread crumbs/milk.
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Turkey Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
Turkey Meatloaf
- 1 pound ground turkey
- ยฝ cup breadcrumbs (1 slice of bread made into breadcrumbs)*
- ยผ cup finely diced onion
- ยผ cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- ยผ teaspoon ground black pepper
Glaze:
- ยฝ cup ketchup
- ยผ cup brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375ยฐF (175ยฐC).
Make the Glaze
- Combine ketchup brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl, set aside.
Make Meatloaf
- In a large bowl whisk together milk, sauce egg, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt and pepper.
- Add meat, onions and breadcrumbs and stir until combined.
- Line a wire rack with aluminum foil and poke holes in it.
- Place the turkey meatloaf mixture onto the foil and form into a large loaf (about 8โ by 5โ by 2โ)
Bake & Serve
- Bake for 40 minutes.
- Remove from oven, spread glaze on top and bake for 10 more minutes or until meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.
- If necessary, broil for the 2-4 minutes to caramelize the top.
- Remove from oven and let cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
- Ground turkey.ย Ground chicken can be use for all or half of the ground turkey. For a ground beef version click here: Best Meatloaf Recipe.
- Bread Crumbs.ย I explain how to make your own breadcrumbs (so easy) in the recipe, you can substitute quick-cooking oats for the breadcrumbs but it will slightly effect the texture.ย
- Onion. any onion variety works well, sweet onions, red, yellow, white, etc.ย
- Milk.ย We use whole milk, but any variety works well. The higher the fat content the better. Half and half and heavy cream can be used too.ย You can also replace milk with BBQ sauce, if desired for extra flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce. BBQ sauce is a great substitute for Worcestershire sauce.
- Minced garlic.ย freshly roasted and crushed garlic can be used in place of store-bought minced garlic. You can also substitute 1 tsp garlic powder for 1 TBS minced garlic.ย
- Light brown sugar. dark brown sugar can be used in place of light.ย
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This meatloaf was easy to make and easy to make it gluten-free with gf breadcrumbs and Worch. sauce. The sauce was too sweet for me! Next time I will make a half batch and cut down on the brown sugar. All in all a good turkey meatloaf.
This meatloaf is delicious. It is very moist and flavourful. I followed the meatloaf recipe exactly but only made half of the glaze and found that I had a bit left over (just my personal preference ). I was hesitant about the amount of Worcestershire because it can be strong, it wasnโt at all. I really enjoyed it and would definitely make it again.
Really great recipe. So easy, moist and flavorful.
Needed meatloaf recipe using turkey and chose this one. Excellent decision. Your instructions and tips very good and easy to follow. Idea to poke holes in foil lined rack to catch drips brilliant! Have many recipes that can use that. Ate 2 slices of meatloaf and delicious. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.
I added finely chopped green and red bell peppers and doubled the sauce and added first layer of sauce before cooking and a second layer of sauce after 45 minutes and cooked additional 10 minutes it was and it tasted as good as any other meatloaf.
My husband loves red meat and would eat steak daily. I try to limit red meat and opt for leaner proteins so I do a lot with chicken and ground turkey or chicken breast. My husband said this is the best meal with ground turkey he’s ever had.
I made this tonight for myself and the hamburger version for the hubby. Both were a success.
This was a family hit tonight. Thank you!
I have made this several times, great recipe! I follow all the directions and make it ahead of time. Turns out great every time. Thank you!
Thank you so much Lauren! I’m so glad you love it!
I doubled up on the ground turkey and used 2 pounds. Baked in a loaf pan at 400ยฐ for about 60 minutes, drained it, added the sauce to warm it up and then broiled for a couple minutes to caramelize. To the sauce I added a squirt of Dijon mustard and a squirt of sriracha which was excellent! The meatloaf was juicy, pretty tasty, and done to a turn, but I really felt like it needed more seasoning or something to perk up the flavor of the meat itself. Iโll play with the seasoning and see what happens next time.
If you doubled the ground turkey without doubling the spices, of course it would taste bland.
I thought the same thing prepping the meat
The only spice besides salt n pepper is minced garlic
Of course onions snd worcesestershire is good flavour , i think it needs more
So i added some of my favorites !