Healthy Turkey Meatloaf with Bacon proves you don't have to give up comfort food just because you're trying to eat healthier. It's hearty, packed with flavor, topped with crispy bacon, and one of those dinners that makes the whole house smell amazing.
Key Takeaways
- Turkey Meatloaf is a healthier twist on traditional meatloaf, using ground turkey and topped with bacon for added flavor.
- The author shares childhood memories of meatloaf and the importance of family recipes in creating comfort food.
- Tips for making the perfect Turkey Meatloaf recipe include chopping vegetables coarsely and using one egg plus one egg white to reduce calories.
- Adding bacon infuses flavor into the meatloaf and makes it even more delicious, but be careful as it can disappear quickly!
- Leftover Turkey Meatloaf makes great sandwiches, and October 18 is National Meatloaf Day, a perfect time to celebrate this dish.
Grandma's Meatloaf Recipe
Growing up on a dairy farm, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and sweet corn were the ultimate comfort meal. We had over 90 dairy cows, at least 20 horses, and there was always something that needed to be done. Looking back, I guess it makes sense that we could enjoy those hearty farm meals... we were constantly on the move! (And before you ask... no, we didn't eat many green vegetables because my dad wasn't a fan. 😂)
When Amy and Josh were little, I couldn't wait to share some of my favorite childhood meals with them. Meatloaf quickly became one of their favorites too.
Fast forward a few years, and I realized working behind a desk isn't quite the same workout as chasing cows around a farm. Suddenly, those rich comfort foods needed a little makeover.
So we took Grandma's classic meatloaf recipe and gave it a healthy Belly Laugh Living twist. We swapped the ground beef for lean ground turkey, kept the bacon (because let's be honest... bacon makes almost everything better), and ended up with a meatloaf that's lower in fat, packed with flavor, and just as satisfying as the one I grew up eating.
The best part? Since it's lighter, I don't feel nearly as guilty going back for seconds. And around here, that's always a win! 😄
Turkey Meatloaf Tips & Tricks
We've made this healthy turkey meatloaf more times than we can count, and along the way we've picked up a few tricks that make it even better!
🥕 Don't Over-Chop the Vegetables
Cut the onions and peppers into a coarse chop instead of tossing them into the food processor. Believe me... I've tried the shortcut. While I absolutely LOVE my food processor, it turns the vegetables into tiny little bits, and the meatloaf just doesn't hold together as well. Plus, every bite ends up with the same texture. A few extra minutes with a knife is totally worth it.
🥚 One Egg + One Egg White = A Win!
You'll notice this recipe calls for one whole egg and one egg white instead of two whole eggs. It still holds the meatloaf together perfectly while saving about 55 calories.
Sure, the egg yolk has lots of good nutrients... but saving a few calories means I can justify cutting myself a slightly bigger slice of meatloaf. That's the kind of kitchen math I can get behind! 😄
👋 Don't Be Afraid to Get Your Hands Dirty
I usually start mixing everything together with a spoon, but once it starts coming together, clean hands work so much better. It's the easiest way to gently combine everything without overmixing.
If you have kids or grandkids around, let them help! Some of my favorite memories are of Amy and Josh helping in the kitchen. They always seemed much more excited to eat something they helped make... even if they made a little mess along the way.
🥓 Let's Talk About the Bacon...
Yes... this turkey meatloaf is topped with bacon, and yes... it's every bit as delicious as you're imagining.
As the meatloaf bakes, the bacon adds incredible flavor and helps keep everything nice and moist. Around our house, the biggest challenge isn't making the meatloaf... it's protecting the bacon until everyone gets to the table!
Fair warning... if you walk away for even a minute, don't be surprised if someone "samples" a piece off the top. I can't say I blame them! 😂
Who doesn't love leftover Meatloaf?
Let's be honest... one of the best things about meatloaf is the leftovers! In fact, I always hope we have enough left for lunch the next day.
There's just something about a thick slice of leftover meatloaf on soft white bread with a little mayonnaise that brings back so many memories. I don't know why it tastes even better the next day... it just does!
If you're making this for dinner, go ahead and double the recipe if you can. Future you will be very thankful when lunchtime rolls around. 😄
One of my favorite meals is serving leftover meatloaf with potato au gratin. Talk about comfort food!
And here's a fun fact... National Meatloaf Day is October 18, so you've got the perfect excuse to make this recipe (or our classic version) and celebrate!
If you try this healthy turkey meatloaf recipe, we'd love to hear what you think! Leave us a comment below and let us know which version is your favorite.
Enjoy! ❤️
Still Hungry? Here Are a Few More Recipes You Might Want to Try!
Turkey Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Ground turkey We use 99% fat-free
- 5 ½ Ounces Sausage
- 2 Eggs
- ½ Green bell pepper
- ½ Red bell pepper or yellow bell pepper
- ½ Onion
- ½ Cup Sugar-free ketchup
- ½ Cup Seasoned bread crumbs We prefer garlic herb bread crumbs
- 1 ½ teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper Less if you don't like pepper
- 4 Slices Bacon
- ½ Tablespoon Brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375
- Coarsely chop the green pepper, red pepper, and onion
- In a large bowl mix together ground turkey, sausage, eggs, green and red bell peppers, ketchup, bread crumbs, eggs, and salt and pepper.
- Mix together (works best if you use your hands).
- Form the mixture into a loaf size. Transfer to a loaf pan or casserole dish.
- Add Bacon to the top of the meatloaf. Sprinkle brown sugar over the bacon. This helps crisp the bacon and gives it a sweet flavor.
- Bake for 45 minutes at 375 degrees and the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 185 degrees
- Slice and enjoy! Goes great with mashed potatoes and broccoli, as pictured. Also, don't forget meatloaf sandwiches the next day!
Please let us know what you think