This Cajun Turkey Meatloaf is juicy, flavorful, and easy to make. Made with lean ground turkey and a few special seasonings, it's a healthier take on meatloaf that's anything but dry or boring!
This turkey meatloaf is a family favorite around here, and I know you will love it too!
More easy baked dinner ideas: Baked Breaded Pork Chops
Juicy meatloaf from lean ground turkey
If you're worried about turkey meatloaf being bland, boring, or dry, I am here to show you that it can be the BEST meatloaf you'll ever have!
If you're looking for ground turkey recipes to eat a little healthier, then this meatloaf made with lean ground turkey is what you need. I add a few ingredients to this meatloaf that make it juicy, flavorful, and delicious, even the next day!
We love this turkey meatloaf right out of the oven, and then eating the leftovers the next day sliced in a toasted sandwich. It's so good!
Related recipe: One-Dish Meatloaf, Potato, and Vegetable Bake
Easy weeknight recipe
We also love this recipe because it's easy to throw together on a weekday. Yes, it has an ingredient list that's on the longer side, but you literally throw all of them together into a bowl and mix them all together. Form the meatloaf, and bake.
So once you get all your ingredients out, it's super easy to make this meatloaf because you don't have to keep checking and re-checking the recipe to make sure you haven't missed a step.
Ready to make it?
Ingredients
For the meatloaf:
- 1 ½ lb lean ground turkey (I get the best results using 1 lb of extra lean (97% - 99% lean) turkey and ½ lb of lean (85% lean) turkey.)
- 1-2 scallions, minced
- 1 stalk celery, finely minced - make sure to
- ¼ cup roasted red peppers, minced (drained from a jar)
- ¼ cup fresh Italian parsley, finely minced
- ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 tablespoons sweet relish
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (see notes below)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Cholula
For the sauce:
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- ¼ cup mayonnaise (4 tablespoons)
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
- ½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning
You'll also need:
- A baking sheet or loaf pan (I prefer the baking sheet because the meatloaf can crisp up on 3 sides instead of being trapped in a loaf pan. It's also easier to slice when it's on a baking sheet versus stuck in a loaf pan.
- A meat thermometer. This is a MUST for testing whether your meatloaf is done!
Related recipe: White Ground Turkey Chili
Shortcuts and substitutions
- Although Cajun seasonings can vary, I do not find this to be a spicy recipe. If you're worried about spice, you can simply look for a mild Cajun seasoning, or substitute some of the Cajun seasoning for sweet paprika.
- If you have pre-made tartar sauce on hand, you can swap that for the mayonnaise and relish in this recipe (just use 3 tablespoons total)
- If you don't have breadcrumbs available, you can use regular bread as a substitute. If it's stale bread, you can grate it into breadcrumbs. If it's fresh, use your hands to tear into small pieces.
- If you own a food processor, you can use it to mince the vegetables quickly.
- If you want to lighten things up even more, you can substitute low fat mayo or even Greek yogurt for the regular mayo in the sauce.
More ground turkey recipes: Slow Cooker Ground Turkey Cabbage Soup
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with nonstick foil or parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
Step 2: Add all the meatloaf ingredients to a large bowl. Use hands to combine — gently, but thoroughly.
Step 3: Place the meatloaf mixture onto the baking sheet and shape into a loaf shape (it doesn't have to be perfect).
Step 4: Bake for approximately 40 minutes, or until internal temp reaches 160F.
Step 5: While meatloaf is baking, combine sauce ingredients in a small bowl. To serve, cut meatloaf into slices and spoon the sauce over the top.
Want more ground turkey recipes? Italian Wedding Soup
What to serve with turkey meatloaf:
Since I typically make this when I want to keep things light, I like to serve it over a bed of lightly dressed greens or with a side of garlic roasted broccoli. But if you want to make a heartier meal, this meatloaf goes great with roasted or mashed potatoes (try these make-ahead mashed potatoes!), roasted cauliflower, or rice pilaf.
Cajun Turkey Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb lean ground turkey (see notes)
- 1-2 scallions finely minced
- 1 stalk celery finely minced
- ¼ cup roasted red peppers minced
- ¼ cup fresh Italian parsley minced
- ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 tablespoon sweet relish
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce such as Cholula
- 2 Roma tomatoes diced
- ¼ cup mayonnaise (4 tablespoons)
- 2 teaspoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
Special equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with nonstick foil or parchment paper, and spray with cooking spray.
- Add all meatloaf ingredients to a large bowl. Use hands to combine, gently but thoroughly.
- Place meatloaf mixture onto the tray and shape into a loaf shape (doesn't have to be perfect).
- Bake for approximately 40 minutes, or until internal temp reaches 160F.
- While meatloaf is baking, combine sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
- To serve, cut meatloaf into slices and spoon the sauce over the top.
Notes
- Ground turkey: I get the best results using 1 lb of extra lean (such as 97%-99 lean) turkey and ½ lb of lean (85% lean) turkey.
- Celery: Mince the celery finely so you don't get large chunks of celery in your meatloaf.
- Cajun seasonings can vary in spice. If you're worried about spice, you can simply look for a mild Cajun seasoning, or substitute some of the Cajun seasoning for sweet paprika.
- If you have pre-made tartar sauce on hand, you can swap that for the mayonnaise and relish in this recipe (just use 3 tablespoons total)
- If you don't have breadcrumbs available, you can use regular bread as a substitute. If it's stale bread, you can grate it into breadcrumbs. If it's fresh, use your hands to tear into small pieces.
- If you own a food processor, you can use it to mince the vegetables quickly.
- If you want to lighten things up even more, you can substitute low fat mayo or even Greek yogurt for the regular mayo in the sauce.
Amber Sanders
Monday 3rd of February 2020
I am trying this tonight!
Alyssa
Monday 3rd of February 2020
Awesome! I hope you enjoy it!
Sherry
Thursday 16th of January 2020
I love the idea of a sauce over this meatloaf!
Safira Adam
Thursday 16th of January 2020
Making this over the weekend. Love the shortcuts and substitutions. Super handy for me!
cyndy
Thursday 16th of January 2020
Perfect weeknight recipe - I love the Cajun flavors and my kids went crazy for this meatloaf.
Leslie
Thursday 16th of January 2020
My kids love meatloaf, and I love that this is a recipe I can make that they'll eat and is both healthy and flavorful. Yum!