Traditional meatloaf takes a healthy turn with this Slow Cooker Turkey Meatloaf. It’s tender and flavorful and the perfect way to have a comforting meal on the table after work!
Time to break out the slow cooker! Also try these Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sandwiches, Slow Cooker Cuban Ropa Vieja, or Slow Cooker Mexican Meatballs.
So, one of the few foods that my husband just doesn’t like is meatloaf. Which is probably the reason I have very few meatloaf recipes here on Taste and Tell. I think it’s silly, because he like meatballs, and isn’t meatloaf practically the same thing, but in loaf form?
Sometimes, though, I like to make things my family thinks that they don’t like, just to give it a try again. And I wanted meatloaf. Maybe it’s the fact that nothing says comfort food like meatloaf. And I wanted to try it in the slow cooker. I had never made a meatloaf in the slow cooker, and I was intrigued.
Let me just tell you – this Slow Cooker Turkey Meatloaf was probably the most tender, moist meatloaf that I have made at home. And guess what? My husband loved it, too! I am not only a convert to this recipe, but also to making crockpot meatloaf!
Turkey Meatloaf Ingredients
- vegetable oil – this is for cooking your onion, so you could also use olive oil or any oil that you normally use.
- onion – I like to make sure and mince this pretty small so that it will mix into the meat well.
- ground turkey – if possible, use a 93% lean ground turkey.
- Italian seasoned breadcrumbs – if you only have regular breadcrumbs, you can add in some extra seasonings, if desired.
- cremini mushrooms – these not only add flavor, but also some bulk to the meatloaf. You can use regular white mushrooms, but the crimini will have more flavor.
- ketchup – you use this in the meatloaf and for the glaze.
- egg and egg white – these will act as a binder to keep the meatloaf in a “loaf”.
- marjoram – marjoram is an herb that tastes almost similar to thyme. If you don’t have it, you can leave it out or use another herb of your choice.
- kosher salt – sea salt will work, as well. I like to use a coarse salt for this recipe.
- Worcestershire sauce – worcestershire sauce goes into the glaze and adds a depth of flavor. Don’t skip it, if possible.
- Dijon mustard – a little bit of Dijon will go a long way!
- brown sugar – I used light brown sugar. Again, you only need a little bit.
How to Make Slow Cooker Turkey Meatloaf
- You make this crockpot meatloaf in the same way that you’d make a traditional turkey meatloaf to start. You first have to make the loaf by sauteing some onions, then adding them to your meatloaf mixture that has turkey, breadcrumbs, mushrooms, ketchup, eggs and seasonings. Form the mixture into a loaf and place in a slow cooker that has been lined with a piece of parchment paper. (This is one of my favorite hints for this recipe – the parchment paper is great for not only making clean up a breeze, but it helps when you need to remove the meatloaf from the slow cooker.)
- Make the sauce by combining ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard and brown sugar. Brush half of this over the meatloaf, reserving the other half.
- Cook the meatloaf in the slow cooker on low.
- Once the meatloaf has cooked, transfer it to a foil lined baking sheet. Brush it with the reserved sauce and place it into the oven to broil, broiling only long enough to form a crust on the meatloaf.
- Serve!
How Long To Cook Meatloaf in the Slow Cooker
One of my biggest hints when cooking meat is to own a good instant read thermometer. (I have this one that I love!) All slow cookers cook a little bit differently, so it’s easy for the time to be off. If you have a thermometer, you can get your meatloaf out before it has cooked too long and dried out. Mine took about 5 1/2 hours, but it could take as much as 1/2 an hour more or less. So keep an eye on it so that you don’t overcook it
More Healthy Dinner Recipes
Cajun Chicken Pasta
Salmon with Mango and Roasted Red Pepper
Turkey Goulash Recipe
Lemon Herb Fish with Crispy Oven Fries
Cajun Sausage Pasta
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Slow Cooker Turkey Meatloaf
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 1 teaspoon vegetable or canola oil
- 1 medium onion minced
- 1 1/2 lbs 93% lean ground turkey
- 2/3 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup chopped cremini mushrooms
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- 1 large egg white
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
Instructions
- Make the meatloaf: Cut a 15X8-inch piece of parchment paper and place it in a 5 quart slow cooker, allowing the sides of the paper to come up the sides of the slow cooker. (This is to easily remove the meatloaf once it is cooked.)
- Heat the oil in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent and golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the onion to a large bowl. Add the turkey, breadcrumbs, mushrooms, ketchup, whole egg, egg white, marjoram and salt to the bowl. Mix well, then form into an oval shape. Place in the slow cooker on top of the parchment paper.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon and brown sugar. Brush half of the sauce over the meatloaf, and refrigerate the remaining sauce.
- Place the cover on the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours, or until a thermometer registers 165ºF.
- Preheat the broiler, and line a baking sheet with foil.
- Transfer the meatloaf to the foil lined pan. Brush the remaining sauce over the top of the meatloaf. Broil until a crust forms, 1 to 2 minutes. Keep a eye on it, as it may start to brown quickly.
- Cut the meatloaf into slices to serve.
Dominic says
This sounds great and is exactly what I’m looking for, as I just moved into a new place and they’re dragging their feet fixing my oven. Will it still be all right if I don’t broil it? I’m mostly planning on using it for sandwiches during the week anyway and could probably sear each slice individually in a frying pan.
Deborah says
Yes – that will totally work!
Lynn Jean Meehan says
How many pounds Is this receipe for
JudyAnn says
My slow cooker has a temperature probe. I cooked it to 165° which took about 5 hours on low. I used a bag instead of parchment paper and it was easy to take that bag (and two one-pound loaves out of the cooker. ”==
It was great, it was very moist, and I didn’t heat up the kitchen in July. Quick cleanup using the bag. (I made extra sauce, too.)
It didn’t get crusty under the broiler, just a little browner.
Danielle says
I’ve been looking for a recipe like this. I like to flatten the meat to add mashed potatoes and shredded cheese, before making a roll. YUm.
alauterb says
I just made this and wow! The meatloaf was so moist and flavorful. I did change the spices a little bit, using Aldi’s Amazing Burger spice blend. I also used the High setting on my crockpot – I know that my Smart Pot cooks faster so after 2 hours in high, I inserted a meat thermometer and YES! 175F. The sauce never quite created the crust under the broiler after 5 minutes, but everyone loved this recipe anyway. Great recipe for meal trains, leftovers for sandwiches, etc.
Phillip says
Loved it, i changed up a couple things on my end but this recipe is a perfect start and finish even….and yes parchment paper was so nice to use…didnt have to do any clean up with the slow cooker…double sheets parchment paper took care of everything, wish i could leave a picture for once 🙂
Mallory says
can you cook it on high heat for half the time?
Deborah says
I have not tried it, but I’m guessing that you would be able to. I would just make sure to check the internal temperature of the meatloaf to make sure it is cooked through.
Robyn Breaux says
If you don’t have parchment paper, can you use foil paper?
Deborah says
I probably wouldn’t use foil. I am not sure on this recipe, but I have heard that it can react with different things. If you cannot find parchment paper, I’d just spray the crock pot with nonstick cooking spray and put the meatloaf right in.
Sue says
Husband loves meatloaf and he LOVED this! So delicious! I would maybe double the sauce recipe as I was running very low.
Loren says
Yes please! I love any new way to use my slow cooker! xo Loren