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    Home » Recipes » Slow Cooker Turkey Meatloaf

    Published: Feb 12, 2020 · Modified: Aug 17, 2021 by Jennifer · This post may contain affiliate links

    Slow Cooker Turkey Meatloaf

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    The best tried and true turkey meatloaf recipe that my family LOVES! This simple Slow Cooker Turkey Meatloaf is foolproof and perfect for family meals!2 slices of turkey meatloaf on a gray plate with mashed cauliflower

    Please don't tell me I'm all alone over here? Surely there are other meatloaf loving people in this world? I get pretty excited when we are trying out a new restaurant and I see that meatloaf is on the menu!

    After years of trying out recipes and methods of making my own meatloaf at home, I've come up with a couple of tried and true recipes that turn out perfectly every time. And the good news is, you can make these too! So easy, because they all use the slow cooker!

    From my more traditional meatloaf with mashed potatoes to my slow cooker turkey meatloaf that goes deliciously with mashed cauliflower, I've certainly got a meatloaf recipe you will love.

    ingredient for slow cooker turkey meatloaf

    How do I make a meatloaf that's not too dry?

    I have a couple of tricks I use when making meatballs and meatloaf so that it won't turn out dry, crumbly or to mushy. I've tried lot's of different recipes but this is the one I believe in. There are some variations you can make but today I'm sharing the basic recipe.

    step by step making turkey meatloaf

    • Panko breadcrumbs soaked in milk - I prefer this over oats, crackers, regular breadcrumbs or even panko not soaked in milk. It can be dairy or non-dairy milk, but soaking makes all the difference
    • 1 egg per pound to 1 ½ pounds of meat
    • I gauge whether I have the right amount of moisture in my meatloaf by the look and feel. It should have enough moisture that it barely holds together but not so much that you can't form it into a loaf. It honestly usually seems like it will barely hold together and I get a little worried but then it always turns out perfectly.

    Do I need special pans or equipment to make a slow cooker turkey meatloaf?

    Nope! You really only need your slow cooker!! I know a lot of recipes call for using a loaf pan inside your slow cooker, but I just place my meatloaf right in there. I prefer the texture of letting the air circulate around the sides a bit and I think it ends up cooked a little more evenly.

    My favorite slow cooker to use for meatloaf is just my little mini-casserole slow cooker, but any slow cooker will work just fine!

    turkey meatloaf in freezer bag

    How To Prep Ahead

    • Make meatloaf as instructed and don’t add sauce
    • Wrap in plastic wrap and place in zippered freezer bag
    • Store in fridge up to 3 days or freezer up to 3 months
    • Thaw fully in fridge overnight before cooking

    How To Store Leftovers

    • Let cool completely then store in air tight containers in fridge up to 3 days  or freezer for up to 3 months

    Related Recipes

    • Mashed potatoes make the perfect side! Try my traditional Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes or my personal favorite, Slow Cooker Cheesy Mashed Potatoes!
    2 slices of turkey meatloaf on a gray plate with mashed cauliflower

    Slow Cooker Turkey Meatloaf

    Jennifer Draper
    The best tried and true turkey meatloaf recipe that my family LOVES! This simple Slow Cooker Turkey Meatloaf is foolproof and perfect for family meals!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 3 hrs
    Total Time 3 hrs 15 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 221 kcal

    Equipment

    • Mini Casserole Slow Cooker

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ pounds ground turkey 93% lean
    • ¼ cup panko
    • ¼ cup milk
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon herb and garlic seasoning
    • 1 egg
    • 3 tablespoons BBQ sauce
    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    • 1 tablespoon Brown sugar

    Instructions
     

    • Mix panko and milk and set aside for 5 minutes
    • Mix turkey, seasonings, egg and soaked panko in bowl until just combined
    • Form into loaf and place into slow cooker
    • Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 until meatloaf reaches internal temperature of 160 degrees.
    • Mix together BBQ Sauce, tomato paste and sugar
    • Brush over meatloaf and let cook on high in slow cooker for another 15-20 minutes
    • Let rest 15 minutes before slicing

    Notes

    • Use any favorite all purpose seasoning blend in place of the herb and garlic seasoning if desired.  Steak seasoning is a good option.
    • Prep ahead: Make meatloaf as instructed, don’t add sauce, wrap in plastic wrap, place in zippered freezer bag, store in fridge up to 3 days or freezer up to 3 months
    • Thaw fully in fridge overnight before cooking
    • Let cool completely, store in air tight containers in fridge up to 3 days or freezer for up to 3 months

    Nutrition

    Calories: 221kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 23gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 111mgSodium: 416mgPotassium: 312mgSugar: 5gVitamin A: 195IUVitamin C: 0.6mgCalcium: 54mgIron: 1.9mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @slowcookergourmet or tag #slowcookergourmet!
    Important nutritional disclaimer
    The best tried and true turkey meatloaf recipe that my family LOVES! This simple Slow Cooker Turkey Meatloaf is foolproof and perfect for family meals! #meatloaf #slowcooker #turkeyrecipe
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lauren says

      September 15, 2021 at 9:23 am

      Do you think I could substitute tomato sauce for soaking the Panko instead of milk?

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        September 16, 2021 at 10:16 am

        I think it's worth a try!

        Reply
    2. Janice Burr says

      September 23, 2019 at 4:41 pm

      I've wanting try turkey in meatloaf but I've always put onions & peppers in it. Can I do that and should sate them first? I also use oat meal, can I substituted that for the panko? Thanks so much!!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        September 25, 2019 at 7:30 am

        You can sub oatmeal for the panic, although it will change the texture significantly and I believe that the panko creates much better results. I'm not sure about the peppers and onions in this particular recipe as I haven't tested it that way but if you give it a try be sure to let me know!

        Reply
        • nancy says

          April 13, 2021 at 11:50 am

          What is "PANIC? in your reply? Do you mean Panko?

          Reply
          • Jennifer says

            April 18, 2021 at 8:11 pm

            ha! Yes, thank you!!

            Reply

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    Hi, I'm Jennifer! I love creating fresh recipes that are quick and simple to make so that I can help you get dinner on the table without the fuss!

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