This quick and easy ground turkey meatloaf is seasoned with onion, garlic, and Italian seasonings, and topped with a three-ingredient sweet glaze. This delicious alternative to beef and pork is just as tender and juicy with a lot fewer calories and fat.
This scrumptious turkey meatloaf comes together quickly and is full of flavor. The sweet glaze takes this meatloaf over the top and keeps it nice and moist. I love to serve it with garlic mashed potatoes, Southern green beans, and homemade dinner rolls. For leftovers, try my grilled meatloaf sandwich.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients on the recipe card below.
- Ground turkey: Use lean fresh ground turkey (85% lean). Do not use turkey breast, as it is too lean and dry for meatloaf.
- Italian seasoning: Italian Seasoning or fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, basil, and parsley.
- Breadcrumbs: I like to use Panko breadcrumbs, but homemade ones are also delicious.
- Barbecue sauce: I like to use Kansas City style barbecue sauce because it is just so full of flavor and light on sugar. However, your favorite barbecue sauce will work just fine.
- Ketchup: Organic ketchup really does taste a little cleaner.
How To Make Turkey Meatloaf
This is a summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.
- Cook the onion and garlic in a bit of olive oil over medium heat.
- Mix the ground turkey, onion mixture, Italian seasoning, black pepper, Panko breadcrumbs, eggs, and ¾ cup barbecue sauce.
- Shape the mixture into a wide loaf in a large baking dish.
- Mix the remaining barbecue sauce, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Spread ⅓ of the mixture over the meatloaf and bake for 40 minutes.
- Spread the remaining mixture over the meatloaf, then bake for another 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
Preparation Tips
- For easier cleanup, spray the baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Use a gentle hand when mixing the meatloaf. When shaping the meatloaf, make it more dome-shaped. You do not want it so thick that it does not cook all the way through.
- There is no need to add salt to this recipe, since most jarred barbecue sauces already have plenty of sodium.
- The meatloaf is done when the internal temperature reaches 155-160 degrees.
Serving Suggestions For Turkey Meatloaf
- Potatoes: roasted red potatoes, homemade mashed potatoes, and pan-fried potatoes
- Pasta: broccoli pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, and mushroom pasta
- Vegetables: roasted acorn squash, stewed tomatoes, and fried corn
More Turkey Recipes
Easy Turkey Meatloaf
This quick and easy ground turkey meatloaf is seasoned with onion, garlic, and Italian seasonings, and topped with a three-ingredient sweet glaze.
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Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 294kcal
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 lbs ground turkey
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
- 1¼ cups Kansas City Style Barbecue Sauce or your favorite kind
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a large baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized skillet over medium-low heat. Cook until the onion is lightly browned on the edges and tender. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic.
- In a large bowl, mix the ground turkey, onion mixture, Italian seasoning, black pepper, Panko breadcrumbs, eggs, and ¾ cup barbecue sauce. Shape it into a wide loaf in the prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix the remaining barbecue sauce, ketchup, and Worcestershire Sauce.
- Spread ⅓ of the glaze over the meatloaf and place it in the oven. Be sure to wash the spoon afterward, since it came into contact with raw meat.
- Bake for 40 minutes and then spread the remaining glaze over the meatloaf. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
- Cover loosely with an aluminum foil tent and let it rest for 10 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with fresh parsley.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave for short intervals until warm.
- Freeze in a sturdy freezer container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Nutrition
Calories: 294kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 752mg | Potassium: 561mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 258IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 3mg
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Catalina
I love meatloaf a lot! I should make your recipe for dinner tonight!
Anna
I have a ton of ground turkey in the freezer! This is a perfect way to use it up!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
YUM!!! I love this delicious version!!!
Amanda
My family is going to absolutely enjoy this meal!
Beth Pierce
2 eggs! Thanks for the heads up Paula. I have corrected it.
Elizabeth
This looks so good! As soon as the weather gets cooler I start craving comfort foods–love how this one is healthy and still totally satisfying! 😀
Katie Crenshaw
I love that you use turkey for a healthier option to beef. The barbecue sauce is the perfect way to flavor it. This makes the perfect comfort meal on a weeknight. YUM!
SHANIKA
Meatloaf is such a great dish for the entire family and I love that you’ve used Turkey meat instead! YUM!
Danielle
Love the alterrnatives to beef and pork. There are so many great recipes that I need to try – such as this one! Delicious meatloaf that looks amazing!
Travis
I had a pound of ground turkey that was gonna expire tomorrow. So I did what I always do jumped on Pinterest to see what I could make with it and came across this recipe and I’m so very happy i did this came out excellent!!! And was super easy to make! I highly recommend you try this recipe it is now my go to turkey meatloaf recipe
Beth Pierce
Thanks so very much Travis! I am so glad that you liked it. You should try the leftovers in a Grilled Meatloaf Sandwich
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
That glaze sounds SO good! Love turkey meatloaf, this looks delicious.