Easy Turkey Meatloaf

We set out to create the best turkey meatloaf recipe, and here it is! This easy turkey meatloaf is flavorful, moist in the middle, and a reader favorite! If you have turkey meatloaf skeptics in your life, this recipe will change their minds. It did for us.

Watch the Video

Turkey Meatloaf Recipe Video

We never used to make turkey meatloaf. We made turkey meatballs and burgers, but not meatloaf. Then we found the secret to the absolute BEST, incredibly juicy, moist, and flavorful turkey meatloaf. Mushrooms are the game-changer!

This ground turkey meatloaf recipe is a favorite dinner in our house. Since ground turkey can be a bit dry and bland, we load it up with ingredients that guarantee the inside is juicy, moist, and delicious.

Our Secret for the Best Turkey Meatloaf

The secret to the best meatloaf lies in the vegetable aisle—it’s mushrooms! With our easy recipe, your turkey meatloaf will be moist and have unbelievable flavor—all thanks to tiny pieces of chopped mushrooms.

We often use mushrooms to keep ground meat recipes juicy. Take a look at our Easy Beef Meatloaf and these Juicy Turkey Burgers. Trust me when I say mushrooms are the answer to the best meatloaf made with ground turkey.

Chopped mushrooms for the best turkey meatloaf

If you’re not a huge mushroom fan, no worries! This meatloaf doesn’t taste overwhelmingly mushroom-y (trust me). Instead, the mushrooms add a delicious savory flavor to the turkey.

How to Make Turkey Meatloaf

This meatloaf with ground turkey is simple. We start by cooking finely chopped mushrooms, onions, and garlic in a skillet until soft. In our photo and recipe video, you can see how small and cooked down we like them.

Cooking the onions, mushrooms and garlic for our easy turkey meatloaf mixture

Next, we add flavor with Worcestershire sauce and ketchup. When I have it in the fridge, I love using homemade ketchup.

To help our meatloaf hold together, we add eggs, milk, and bread crumbs. I love panko bread crumbs, homemade bread crumbs, or crushed saltine crackers.

Mixing turkey meatloaf ingredients in a bowl

Mix in your ground turkey until combined, and then form the meatloaf mixture into a loaf on a rimmed baking sheet. I love adding a simple glaze with ketchup, and then I bake until it is cooked in the middle.

Using ketchup for our easy meatloaf glaze on top of turkey meatloaf

How Long to Cook Turkey Meatloaf

We bake our turkey meatloaf in a 400°F oven for about 50 minutes.

Turkey meatloaf is done when the internal temperature reaches 170°F. If you do not have an internal thermometer, remove it from the oven when the inside is no longer pink and feels firm.

Let your meatloaf rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute and settle back into the meat, resulting in a moist and tender meatloaf.

Slices of moist turkey meatloaf

Storing and Make Ahead Tips

Leftover turkey meatloaf lasts up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months (freezing tips are below).

To make meatloaf the day before and bake the next day, prepare the mixture and shape it into a loaf on a baking sheet, but leave off the glaze. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, remove the meatloaf from the fridge and let it sit on the counter for 30 minutes before spreading on the ketchup glaze. Then, bake as instructed in the recipe.

Freezing Tips

You can freeze turkey meatloaf. Here are two options:

  • Uncooked meatloaf: Shape the mixture on a foil-lined sheet and freeze for a few hours. Then, wrap it tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before adding the glaze and baking.
  • Cooked meatloaf: Let it cool down completely, wrap it in foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw it in the fridge overnight and warm it in the oven or microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I double this recipe? Absolutely! Double all the ingredients and expect it to take 15 to 20 minutes longer in the oven. Your trusty meat thermometer is the best guide for doneness.

How do I make gluten-free meatloaf? Double-check that your ingredients, like ketchup are gluten-free, or whip up a homemade batch. Swap out regular breadcrumbs for gluten-free options like: Ground gluten-free hard pretzels, rolled oats, crushed brown rice cereal, and crushed gluten-free Chex cereal.

What if I don’t want to use eggs? Eggs add moisture, but you can leave them out. You can also try flax eggs or a store-bought egg replacer.

Can I make meatloaf dairy-free? Yes! Instead of milk, use a mild-flavored plant-based milk like hemp or almond.

Mushrooms aren’t my thing. Any alternatives? Definitely! Grated zucchini works wonderfully as a substitute – though you won’t get the same flavor as mushrooms.

Recommended Sides

Slices of Turkey Meatloaf

Easy Turkey Meatloaf

  • PREP
  • COOK
  • TOTAL

Our turkey meatloaf recipe is a total crowd-pleaser – flavorful, incredibly moist in the middle, and always a hit with our readers! The secret ingredient? Mushrooms! Finely chopped, they add flavor and moisture that takes this turkey meatloaf to the next level.

Don’t worry, you won’t even know they’re there! White button mushrooms are perfect for the job, but I love the flavor of cremini, portobello, and shiitake mushrooms. The key is to chop them super small – you can do this by hand or blitz them in a food processor.

Makes 6 Servings

Watch Us Make the Recipe

You Will Need

1 ¼ pound ground turkey (92% lean)

8 ounces mushrooms, trimmed and very finely chopped

1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced

1 tablespoon oil

3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

7 tablespoons ketchup, divided, try our homemade ketchup

1 cup (60g) panko bread crumbs or use homemade bread crumbs

1/3 cup (80ml) milk

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Directions

  • Prepare Meatloaf
  • 1Heat oven to 400°F (204°C). Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet or 9-inch by 13-inch baking pan lined with aluminum foil.

    2Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened; about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the mushrooms, a 1/2-teaspoon of salt, and a 1/4-teaspoon of pepper. Cook until the mushrooms give off their liquid and it boils away; about 10 minutes.Turkey-Meatloaf-Step-1

    3Transfer the onions and mushrooms to a large bowl, and then stir in the Worcestershire sauce and three tablespoons of the ketchup. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes.

    4Meanwhile, combine the breadcrumbs and milk in a small bowl. Stir the breadcrumb mixture and the eggs into the mushrooms and onions. Using a fork or your hands, gently mix in the turkey, a 1/4-teaspoon of salt, and a 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. The mixture will be very wet.

    5Form the meatloaf into a 9-inch by 5-inch oval in the middle of the prepared baking sheet. Spread the remaining four tablespoons of ketchup on top.

  • Bake Meatloaf
  • 1Bake the meatloaf until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meatloaf registers 170°F, about 50 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Adam and Joanne's Tips

  • Some stores sell ground turkey in 1-pound portions and others in 1 ¼-pound portions. While we like using 1 ¼-pounds of turkey, 1 pound of turkey is adequate for the ingredient amounts shared in the recipe.
  • To speed up the prep time, use a food processor to chop the mushrooms.
  • Nutrition facts: The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. We have used the USDA database to calculate approximate values.
Nutrition Per Serving Serving Size 1 serving (6 total) / Calories 308 / Total Fat 13.4g / Saturated Fat 3.4g / Cholesterol 133.4mg / Sodium 734.5mg / Carbohydrate 23.5g / Total Sugars 8.3g / Dietary Fiber 1.6g / Protein 24.1g
AUTHOR:  Adam and Joanne Gallagher
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940 comments… Leave a Review
  • Jade March 9, 2024, 3:25 pm

    This meatloaf was moist, flavorful and healthy. I’ve added it as a favorite to my list. Thank you!

    Reply
  • Salina March 8, 2024, 8:00 pm

    I absolutely love this recipe. I have been making this for over two years and want to share that I follow the recipe with no adjustments and it comes out delicious every time I make it. My son doesn’t eat mushrooms but he does eat my meatloaf with no complaints about mushrooms being one of the ingredients.

    Reply
    • Joanne March 11, 2024, 6:04 pm

      Thank you so much for sharing your experience with out recipe! We appreciate this so much.

      Reply
  • Sophie March 5, 2024, 6:09 pm

    Not really a comment but more a question. In your beef meatloaf recipe recipe you use saltines…why not in the turkey meatloaf?

    Reply
    • Joanne March 11, 2024, 6:05 pm

      The turkey meatloaf was originally shared years ago before we started experimenting with saltines. They would absolutely work in this recipe.

      Reply
  • Lorin March 3, 2024, 8:46 pm

    Love this recipe. Other turkey meatloafs lacked flavor, not this one. This is the second time making this. Inspired Taste is my go to for recipes!! Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Joanne March 11, 2024, 6:05 pm

      Wow, Lorin! What a lovely thing to say. Thank you so much for coming back and letting us know.

      Reply
  • Linda March 3, 2024, 2:02 pm

    I made this the other day and my husband loved it. I didn’t put the ketchup on top. Instead, I put cheese and it was very good. Very moist and flavorful

    Reply
    • Joanne March 11, 2024, 6:06 pm

      Cheese on top sounds amazing! Thanks for the tip, Linda.

      Reply
  • Diane M. February 29, 2024, 8:36 pm

    This is my go-to turkey meatloaf recipe, and it always turns out great. The mushrooms are the key to moistness! I even over-cooked it once and it still was good. I follow the recipe exactly, except I put my family’s favorite ketchup based glaze on top instead of plain ketchup. My family loves meatloaf, and I still make it with beef occasionally, but it’s wonderful to have a healthier alternative that is still delicious.

    Reply
    • Adam March 1, 2024, 4:20 pm

      Hi Diane, We are thrilled that your family loved it! Have you tried our beef meatloaf glaze before?

      Reply
  • Lisa K February 27, 2024, 8:09 pm

    My faamily is not a “meatloaf” family but I like to try new and different things! We ALL loved this recipe amd will be adding it to our rotation!

    Reply
    • Joanne March 11, 2024, 6:06 pm

      Wow, that makes me so happy! I wasn’t the biggest meatloaf fan before this recipe, either.

      Reply
  • Pat February 25, 2024, 2:25 pm

    Meal prep for the week is new to me. I was trying to find a turkey meatloaf recipe that sounded good but wasn’t dry. I stumbled upon this recipe and this is the only turkey meatloaf recipe you will ever need! Moist and savory! Do not hesitate to try it. This is in my permanent rotation,

    Reply
    • Joanne March 11, 2024, 6:06 pm

      Thanks for the feedback Pat! Glad you loved it.

      Reply
  • Lori February 25, 2024, 10:59 am

    I made this recipe in December, it was one of the best meatloaves I’ve ever made. I froze the leftovers and had them last night, it was as good as when I first made it. Definitely a keeper!

    Reply
    • Joanne March 11, 2024, 6:07 pm

      Wonderful, it is great to know the meatloaf froze so well.

      Reply
  • Sarah February 21, 2024, 12:44 pm

    I’ve been making this recipe for a while now and absolutely love it with a few tweaks! I sometimes add 1/2 lb ground chuck/round to one lb turkey instead of the extra 1/4 lb of turkey. I also sauté finely chopped green and red pepper with the onion and mushrooms! Really adds flavor! I used oatmeal instead of breadcrumbs as that’s what I had on hand and I baked it in a loaf pan at 375 for a bit longer.
    This recipe is so versatile and the addition of the mushrooms really elevate this recipe! The leftovers are even better the next day or to freeze! Thank you so much!!

    Reply
    • Joanne February 21, 2024, 6:56 pm

      That’s incredible! I love hearing how people adapt my recipes. Your tweaks sound absolutely delicious.

      Reply
  • Sydney February 21, 2024, 2:04 am

    I made this turkey meatloaf for dinner tonight and my dad is the PICKIEST eater on the planet. I didn’t tell him about the ground turkey and mushrooms and he said it was the best meatloaf he’s ever had- I agree, it’s the best!

    Reply
    • Joanne February 21, 2024, 6:59 pm

      That’s amazing! This recipe has magical powers to convert meatloaf skeptics. I’m so happy both of you enjoyed it!

      Reply

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