Turkey Meatloaf smothered with a savory glaze is a great family weeknight dinner! It’s filling, protein packed, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. Serve this ground turkey meatloaf recipe alongside just about any side dish and make the whole family happy!
Ground Turkey Meatloaf
If you’re trying to eat less beef in your diet, this Turkey Meatloaf is about to rock your world. Lean ground turkey is all dressed up with various seasonings, herbs, and other flavorful additions that make it downright delicious.
Plus, there’s just enough whole milk, eggs, and breadcrumbs in the mix to give the ground turkey the best sturdy, yet moist consistency. It’s truly the perfect meatloaf! I think my favorite part might just be the glaze on top that’s simply made with ketchup and barbecue sauce.
You might even be tempted to make this Turkey Meatloaf instead of roasting a whole bird on Thanksgiving. It may seem unusual, but it’s definitely less maintenance!
Why You’ll Love this Turkey Meatloaf Recipe:
- Filling: This protein packed entree is so very filling! No one’s leaving the dinner table still hungry after eating Turkey Meatloaf for dinner.
- Flavorful: Onion powder, garlic powder, fresh thyme and more come together to give this meatloaf the best flavor.
- Glazed: You just can’t serve meatloaf without glaze. Ketchup and barbecue sauce come together to make the best tangy and sweet topping!
There are SO many side dishes you can pair with this easy dish. My favorite might just be mashed potatoes…with lots of butter, of course!
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How to Make Turkey Meatloaf
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- Sauté the onions and garlic.
- Whisk together the panko, milks, eggs, thyme, worcestershire, and seasonings.
- Combine that mixture with the sautéed onion mixture and ground turkey.
- Transfer the mixture to a prepared baking sheet. Form it into a loaf.
- Whisk together the ketchup and barbecue sauce. Glaze the meatloaf.
- Bake.
Turkey meatloaf is done cooking when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. This should take about 1 hour total.
I always recommend cooking meatloaf covered for the majority of the cooking process to seal in moisture. Remove the foil in the last 15 minutes of baking.
To make this meatloaf gluten-free, swap the breadcrumbs for gluten-free breadcrumbs and be sure to use gluten-free worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and barbecue sauce.
The most common reason why turkey metloaves fall apart is because they don’t have enough binding agents. Be sure to add enough eggs and breadcrumbs to ensure that your meatloaf doesn’t fall apart. If your meatloaf is still falling apart, it may be overcooked. Be sure not to overcook your meatloaf!
Serving Suggestions
Make this comforting turkey meatloaf into an unforgettable meal with any of these side dishes!
- Easy Mashed Potatoes
- Crockpot Mac and Cheese
- Black Eyed Peas
- Crockpot Potato Casserole
- Fried Cabbage and Bacon
This kid-friendly dinner is perfect to make on those crazy weeknights when you need something homemade, filling, and EASY on the table!
Make Ahead Instructions
The turkey meatloaf mixture can be made up to 1 day in advance. Prepare the recipe through step 4, then store covered in the refrigerator until ready to shape and bake.
Turkey meatloaf can also be shaped and frozen for up to 1 month. Prepare the recipe through step 5, then wrap the baking sheet or loaf pan in 2 layers of plastic wrap and 1 layer of aluminum foil to store. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover turkey meatloaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual slices in a shallow baking dish in a 250°F oven sprinkled with 1 tablespoon of beef broth per slice. Cover with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until warmed through.
Freezing Instructions
Freeze turkey meatloaf whole or cut into individual slices tightly wrapped in 2 layers of plastic wrap and 1 layer of aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Substitutions
- You can use any neutral oil you like, such as canola, avocado, or coconut oil.
- In place of the Panko breadcrumbs, you can use regular breadcrumbs or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- You can use any kind of milk you like in this recipe, including plant-based milks.
- In place of the turkey, try chicken, pork, or beef!
Tips for the Best Turkey Meatloaf
- For a tender meatloaf, mix until just combined. You want the ingredients evenly incorporated, but not so mixed that they become tough.
- You can also make this meatloaf in a standard loaf pan. Grease the pan and line it with a parchment sling for easy removal.
- For a spicy turkey meatloaf, add a dash or hot sauce, sriracha, or red pepper flakes to the meat or sauce.
- Turn this meatloaf into mini meatloaf muffins by pressing the mixture in the wells of a cupcake pan and baking for 25-30 minutes.
More Ground Turkey Recipes We Love
- Mini Turkey Meatloaves
- Cheese-stuffed Turkey Meatballs
- Turkey Burgers
- More Ground Turkey Dinner Ideas
For an easy, cozy, and delicious dinner, consider making this ground turkey meatloaf recipe any night of the week!
If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy! You can also jump to recipe.
Turkey Meatloaf Recipe
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Ingredients
For the Meatloaf
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 yellow onion grated
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 pounds 90% lean ground turkey
For the Glaze
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce store-bought or homemade
Recommended Equipment
- Baking Sheet OR
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Set aside.
- Heat the oil in a sauté pan set over medium-high heat. Once warm, add in the onion and cook until it's translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add in the garlic and cook until fragrant. Remove from the heat and set aside.1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1 yellow onion, 2 cloves garlic
- In a large bowl, whisk the Panko, milk, eggs, thyme, worcestershire, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder together.½ cup Panko breadcrumbs, ¼ cup whole milk, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Add in the onion mixture and turkey. Use your hands to mix until just combined.2 pounds 90% lean ground turkey
- Transfer the mixture to the baking sheet and pat it into a 9×5-inch loaf.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the ketchup and barbecue sauce together. Spoon half of the glaze over the meatloaf, spreading it out into an even layer.¼ cup ketchup, ¼ cup barbecue sauce
- Bake the meatloaf for 40 minutes.
- Spread the remaining glaze over the meatloaf and bake for another 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
- You can use any neutral oil you like, such as canola, avocado, or coconut oil.
- In place of the Panko breadcrumbs, you can use regular breadcrumbs or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- You can use any kind of milk you like in this recipe, including plant-based milks.
- In place of the turkey, try chicken, pork, or beef!
- For a tender meatloaf, mix until just combined. You want the ingredients evenly incorporated, but not so mixed that they become tough.
- You can also make this meatloaf in a standard loaf pan. Grease the pan and line it with a parchment sling for easy removal.
- For a spicy turkey meatloaf, add a dash or hot sauce, sriracha, or red pepper flakes to the meat or sauce.
- Turn this meatloaf into mini meatloaf muffins by pressing the mixture in the wells of a cupcake pan and baking for 25-30 minutes.
Nutrition Information
It turned out great The meat was moist and full of flavor.