This easy, gluten-free, dairy-free Sweet Potato Turkey Meatloaf puts a fun healthy spin on my classic turkey meatloaf.
Sweet Potato Turkey Meatloaf
My classic turkey meatloaf recipe is on repeat in my house, but I love playing around with it. I tested this Sweet Potato Turkey Meatloaf without breadcrumbs a few ways and love how this turned out. It uses a baked sweet potato, which is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, as a binder and is topped with a ketchup glaze. Get more ground turkey recipes here!
Can you add potatoes to meatloaf?
The answer is yes, and it works well as a binder in place of breadcrumbs or oats. I used sweet potatoes which adds dietary fiber, vitamins and nutrients.
What is the secret to moist meatloaf?
Here are a few tips for moist turkey meatloaf:
- Choose Your Ingredients Wisely:Â The sweet potato, egg, and ketchup all add moisture to the turkey.
- Don’t Overmix: Combine the ingredients just enough without overdoing it, which will result in tougher meatloaf.
- Don’t Overbake: The meatloaf should be done in about 55 minutes, but feel free to check it with a meat thermometer before that. Ovens all bake differently, so yours may be ready sooner.
Turkey Meatloaf Ingredients
- Large Sweet Potato: This easy turkey meatloaf recipe is a great way to use leftover baked sweet potatoes or air fryer sweet potatoes. If you don’t have leftovers, the quickest way to cook it is in the microwave. To microwave, pierce the potato several times with a fork, and wrap in a paper towel. Microwave 4 – 6 minutes, or until it is soft to the touch, adding more time if needed.
- Ketchup: Most of the ketchup goes into the meatloaf and the rest on top. It’s also delicious with BBQ sauce if you don’t want to use ketchup. To cut back on sugar and lower the calories, I often use sugar free ketchup.
- Worcestershire:Â Stir the sauce and ketchup to make the glaze.
- Ground Turkey:Â Use 93% lean turkey for moist meatloaf, 99% will be dry.
- Egg: If you can’t eat egg, leave it out. I tested this both ways. It will be slightly denser but totally fine!
- Onion Flakes: Saute 1/4 cup chopped onion if you don’t have dried onion flakes.
- Marjoram:Â Swap marjoram for your favorite spices.
- Salt: 1 teaspoon salt is used here, I use Diamond Crystal Kosher salt which has less sodium than Morton’s or table salt. If you use other salt, adjust.
How to Make:
- Sweet Potatoes: Cook your potatoes in the microwave if you don’t have any leftovers. Remove the skin and mash the flesh in a large bowl.
- Combine all the meatloaf ingredients except for two tablespoons of ketchup and Worcestershire with a fork. Shape the mixture into a loaf on a prepared baking sheet.
- Glaze:Â Mix the remaining ketchup and Worcestershire sauce and brush it on top of the meatloaf.
- Bake uncovered for 55 minutes at 350F. Let it sit for five minutes before slicing.
Variations:
- Use ground chicken or beef in place of ground turkey.
- For a kid-friendly twist, add some cheddar cheese in the mix, if you like it cheesy.
- If you want to add more flavor, saute 1 small onion, with 1 clove garlic and 1 tablespoon tomato paste, then adding it to the mix.
How to Freeze Meatloaf
Leftover turkey meatloaf will keep in the fridge for three to four days and in the freezer for three months. Store in a freezer safe container or wrap in foil. You can thaw a serving overnight in the refrigerator and microwave it when ready to eat.
Side Dishes That Go Well With This
For some dinner ideas, serve it with cauliflower mash and broccoli. A brussels sprout salad, rice, or spinach would also be good.
More Meatloaf Recipes You’ll Love:
- Sheet Pan Turkey Meatloaf and Broccoli
- Meatloaf and Brown Gravy
- Enchilada Turkey Meatloaf
- Skillet Harissa Turkey Meatloaf
- Cheese-Stuffed Turkey Meatloaf
Your comments are helpful! If you’ve tried this healthy Sweet Potato Turkey Meatloaf Recipe or any other on Skinnytaste, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. And if you took a photo of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can reshare on my Stories!
Sweet Potato Turkey Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 1 medium baked sweet potato, about 7 ounces* (1 heaping cup)
- 6 tablespoons ketchup, divided (for whole30, use sugar free such as Primal Kitchen)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 pound ground turkey, 93% lean
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons dried onion flakes
- 1 teaspoon marjoram
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Remove flesh from sweet potato, discard skin and mash in a large bowl.
- Add turkey, egg, dried onion, 1/4 cup ketchup, marjoram and 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and mix with the ground turkey using a fork until mixed well.
- In a small bowl combine 2 tablespoons of the ketchup with Worcestershire sauce.
- Shape into a loaf and place on a baking sheet. Spoon sauce on top.
- Bake uncovered for 55 minutes, remove from oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before slicing.
I liked this recipe. I followed it perfectly. It was just a little mushy but I didn’t mind
I really like this recipe but I always add some oatmeal and breadcrumbs. I find the recipe too wet to form a loaf. I found it also freezes really well!!
I had a 1/2 can of pumpkin in my fridge so I used that instead of the sweet potato. I also grated a whole onion to sun for the onion flakes. Worked out just fine 🙂
I liked this recipe a lot & it smelled delicious while it was baking!
Next time, I may use more spices for a little extra flavor.
This was quite tasty, but I did add a bit more seasoning and I had to add at least 1/4 c. breadcrumbs to get it to hold together at all. I will definitely make it again. Adding some finely chopped fresh spinach would be good.
Can I make this in advance? Meaning prepare night before and cook following day?
just made this again for 4th or 5th time, is our favorite turkey meatloaf of late. Only thing I do that varies is add one teaspoon penzy bavarian seasoning and use 1/4 cup finely chopped onion instead of dried and cut ketchup back to three in the meat loaf instead of 4. and one teaspoon mustard in the glaze. We love this meatloaf. Thank you
I would like to make these into muffins. Have you ever tried that and would the temperature and cooking time be different?
Amazing recipe. I love your zucchini meatloaf so I thought I try this one. I think I may like this one more?? If that’s even possible.
In addition to the marjoram, I added herbs de Provence and the sautéed onion/garlic/tomato paste mixture that you suggested. I served with roasted broccoli! If I could give this 10 stars I would.
This was so delicious! I coupled this with some broccoli. Super easy to make. Ended up adding sautéed onion and garlic. My husband and I loved it. Will definitely add this to our rotation.Â
Incredibly moist and flavorful. I didn’t have marjoram but I had Herbes de Provence so I used that. Otherwise, followed recipe exactly and found a keeper. Thank you!
Tasted great and easy to make
Suggest a loaf pan for consistent baking and consistency
Some Worcestershire sauces uses malt vinegar so keep an eye on the ingredients if you want Gluten free. I used fish sauce with molasses and onion and garlic powder. Wheat, Barley and rye malt vinigers contain gluten.