This recipe for turkey meatloaf is ground turkey mixed with breadcrumbs and seasonings, then topped with ketchup and baked to perfection. A lighter version of meatloaf that’s just as juicy and flavorful as the original!

Ground turkey is a versatile ingredient that’s perfect to use in a variety of dishes including turkey chili, turkey burgers and this super flavorful meatloaf.

Turkey Meatloaf Recipe | Healthy Meatloaf #meatloaf #turkey #dinner #dinneratthezoo Turkey Meatloaf Recipe | Healthy Meatloaf #meatloaf #turkey #dinner #dinneratthezoo

A sliced turkey meatloaf topped with ketchup and chopped parsley.

Meatloaf is a classic recipe that never goes out of style. This turkey meatloaf has less calories than the traditional beef variety, but it’s packed full of flavor and also happens to be quite easy to make!

How do you make turkey meatloaf?

This recipe starts by cooking the onion and garlic until softened. The onion and garlic get added to a large bowl along with ground turkey, thyme, salt, pepper, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, eggs and breadcrumbs. Everything gets mixed together, then the mixture is shaped into a loaf. Add ketchup over then top, then bake the meatloaf for one hour. Take the meatloaf out of the oven, then let it rest for five minutes, slice, and serve.

Ground turkey, seasonings, breadcrumbs, onion and herbs in a mixing bowl.

Tips for turkey meatloaf

  • Shape the meatloaf high as it tends to spread out a bit as it cooks. You can also cook the meatloaf in a loaf  pan if you prefer.
  • Make sure the entire surface of the meatloaf is covered by ketchup for a nice flavorful glaze.
  • Turkey meatloaf can be made as a single loaf or as individual meatloaves in muffin tins. Individual meatloaves will have a shorter cook time, plan on 20-30 minutes.
  • This recipe calls for 93% lean ground turkey. Do not use 99% lean ground turkey breast as the fat content is too low and the meatloaf will dry out in the oven.

A ground turkey mixture shaped into a loaf.

How to make a meatloaf sandwich

You’ll want to use a sturdy bread like a french roll to hold up to the meatloaf. Toast the bread to keep it from getting soggy. Heat meatloaf all the way through in a toaster oven, regular oven or a microwave. Feel free to add tomatoes and lettuce or your favorite toppings to the sandwich.

A baked meatloaf topped with ketchup.

Turkey meatloaf variations

This meatloaf recipe is delicious as-is, but there are some great ways to customize the dish with different flavor variations.

  • Italian: Add 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese and use Italian breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs.  Top the meatloaf with marinara sauce instead of ketchup.
  • Mexican: Add 1/2 cup each of cheddar cheese, black beans, and corn to the meatloaf. For extra flavor and spice, add 1 tablespoon of chili powder.
  • Cheesesteak: Add 1/2 cup each chopped of cooked peppers and mushrooms to the meatloaf. Also add 1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese to the meatloaf.
  • Bacon Cheeseburger: Add 1/2 cup of cooked crumbled bacon and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese to the meatloaf.

Sliced turkey meatloaf served over mashed potatoes with green beans.

My whole family loves this recipe, I typically serve it with mashed potatoes and a steamed vegetable for a hearty meal without a lot of effort!

More easy dinner recipes

5 from 18 votes

Turkey Meatloaf

AuthorSara Welch
A sliced turkey meatloaf topped with ketchup and chopped parsley.
This recipe for turkey meatloaf is ground turkey mixed with breadcrumbs and seasonings, then topped with ketchup and baked to perfection. A lighter version of meatloaf that's just as juicy and flavorful as the original!
Time
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine American
Serves 8

Ingredients 

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion finely diced
  • 2 teaspoons garlic minced
  • 2 1/2 pounds ground turkey 93% lean
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 3/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
  • cooking spray

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Coat a sheet pan with cooking spray.
  • Heat the olive oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 4-5 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 30 more seconds.
  • Place the garlic and onion mixture in a large bowl along with the ground turkey, thyme, salt, pepper, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, eggs and breadcrumbs. Stir well to combine.
  • Place the turkey mixture on the sheet pan and shape into a loaf. Spread the ketchup over the loaf.
  • Bake for one hour or until a thermometer inserted into the center of the meat loaf registers 160 degrees F.
  • Let the meatloaf rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle parsley over the top. Slice, then serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 266kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 726mg | Potassium: 584mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 265IU | Vitamin C: 4.3mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 2.2mg

Hello! I’m Sara!

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5 from 18 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Hi I don’t have chicken broth on hand. What else can I replace it with? Thanks for sharing this recipe, looking forward to trying it with 3 lbs ground turkey!

    1. Yes, you can scale up the recipe by adjusting the serving size, the ingredient amounts will automatically recalculate.

  2. 5 stars
    I just made this meatloaf for dinner and it was amazing ! Even my picky teenager loved it. This will definitely be on our weekly menu. Thank you so much for the incredible recipe.

    1. Hi, you said we can replace the Worcestershire sauce with soy sauce if we don’t have it but how much should we use for 3lbs of ground turkey?

  3. 5 stars
    Love, love, love this! My daughter is taking on cooking in our home, and this was such a great recipe for her to make! Great family dinner recipe!

  4. 5 stars
    This was the very first recipe I every learned to make! I have never used broth before and it was the best ingredient to keep the moisture! Delicious!

  5. 5 stars
    This turkey meatloaf looks so delicious. I love that you used fresh thyme and chicken broth in your recipe. I bet this meatloaf tastes amazing!

  6. 5 stars
    This turkey meatloaf recipe looks so delicious and perfectly moist! Definitely a fabulous twist on the traditional recipe! Love love this!

  7. 5 stars
    So thankful that meatloaf never goes out of style! This turkey meatloaf will be perfect on days that I’m wanting a light version of a favorite classic.

  8. 5 stars
    I haven’t made a meatloaf in so long! And I don’t know why because we all love meatloaf! I love that you’ve used turkey – this recipe looks great!

  9. 5 stars
    I was just looking at a meatloaf recipe the other day, but we’ve been trying to eat less red meat, so this is perfect!! I love that it uses turkey, but I’m going to have to give that bacon cheese variation a try!

  10. 5 stars
    I appreciate the tips on the perfect type of ground turkey to buy for this meatloaf and how to make this perfectly delicious.