Low Carb Keto Turkey Meatloaf
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Keto Turkey Meatloaf is low carb, easy to make, and totally tasty!! With just a couple of simple substitutions, you can turn regular meatloaf into a keto main dish that will fill you up without weighing you down. Prepped in 10 minutes and baked to perfection in about an hour.
Keto Turkey Meatloaf
Meatloaf is such a comfort food for me! It totally takes me back to my mom’s go-to weeknight dinners — she always knew how much we all loved it.
I have a TON of meatloaf recipes up on the site.
Whether it’s made in the air fryer or crockpot, stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon or glazed with balsamic, or transformed into poppable meatball form, there’s something for everyone and every occasion!
Next up on my list, I knew I wanted to make something for all of my low carb eaters. And so, I decided to create this keto turkey meatloaf!
Instead of carb heavy breadcrumbs and other traditional ingredients, I’m using almond flour and Parmesan cheese.
Other than that, this recipe is made exactly like your other favorites!
Easy to make and so comforting, low carb turkey meatloaf is perfect for weeknight dinner.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Ground Turkey – We’re using ground turkey instead of the traditional ground beef.
Both options are keto friendly, but turkey is generally lighter than beef — which is what I was going for in this low carb turkey meatloaf recipe.
That said, if you’re strictly keto and need to get in those fats, you may want to use ground beef instead!
- Almond Flour – The best substitute for breadcrumbs! Almond flour is low carb and just happens to be an excellent binding agent.
If you can’t find any, you could also use pork panko or crushed-up pork rinds. - Parmesan Cheese – Another one of my keto friendly favorites! Parmesan has very few carbs compared to other cheeses. It also adds a tasty, almost umami flavor to the dish.
- Ketchup – A mainstay in all good meatloaf recipes! I like to top mine with sugar free ketchup to keep the sugar content low.
- Onion & Garlic – These flavorful aromatics have a place in nearly every single one of my savory recipes. This one is no different!
- Herbs & Seasonings – Fresh rosemary, Italian parsley, and basil are all you’ll need! Plus some salt and pepper to taste.
- Olive Oil – To sauté the onion, garlic, and fresh herbs before adding them to the keto turkey meatloaf mixture.
Tips and Tricks to Make Perfect Low Carb Turkey Meatloaf
- Moisture is key here.
Ground turkey can get super dry if overcooked or overworked.
Don’t overmix the meatloaf mixture — you’ll end up compacting the meat too much which will inevitably squeeze out all of the moisture.
You should also use an 85/15 mix. The higher fat content will also keep things moist and juicy!
- Don’t skip the sautéing step!
You’ll notice I mention to sauté the onion, garlic, and fresh herbs before adding them to the meat mixture.
This will enhance their natural flavors, making your meatloaf a lot more flavorful too!
- Loaf shape 101.
Shaping your low carb turkey meatloaf properly ensures it cooks evenly and, well, actually looks like meatloaf!
You can use your hands to form the loaf — it should be about the size of a small loaf of sandwich bread — but remember not to overwork the meat mixture too much!
I know some chefs make their meatloaf in an actual loaf pan, but I prefer a baking sheet so that all sides of the loaf come out nice and golden brown.
- Upgrade your glaze.
Adding ketchup on top of meatloaf is a classic choice that tastes and looks great! You can keep it as is, or you can add a few extras to make it even better.
A teaspoon or two of Sriracha or Dijon mustard would give you a spicy kick, while Worcestershire and smoked paprika add a touch of sweet and smoky flavor to your keto turkey meatloaf recipe!
Prep Ahead
- Dice the onion
- Mince the garlic
- Chop the herbs
- Grate the Parmesan
- Sauté the garlic, onion, and herbs
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Quality Knives and a big solid Cutting Board make prepping a breeze and are well worth the investment.
- Skillet – This is my go-to pan that I’ve had for over a decade! It heats evenly and cleans up beautifully with a little baking soda so it still looks brand new.
- Large Bowl – This one is my go-to!
- Baking Sheets lined with Parchment Paper – Used for anything from cookies to roasting, a good baking pan will last for years.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your keto turkey meatloaf when it’s fresh out of the oven! It’s a wonderful main dish that pairs well with a variety of sides.
Cauliflower rice, zoodles, garlic green beans, air fryer cauliflower, and roasted broccoli are all great keto options.
And if you aren’t counting your carbs, mac and cheese, Brussels sprouts with bacon, and some crusty bread would all be delicious!!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
I usually use my microwave to reheat single servings, or I’ll pop the whole thing back in the oven for larger portions. 15-20 minutes at 325°F should do the trick!
Low carb turkey meatloaf also freezes well! Make it ahead, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and store it in the freezer for up to 4-5 months.
Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Keto Turkey Meatloaf Recipe FAQ
There are about 2.36 grams of carbs in each serving of my low carb turkey meatloaf recipe.
Your meatloaf will fall apart if you add too much almond flour and not enough eggs. Be sure to follow the recipe instructions — including the quantity of each ingredient — and you won’t run into this problem!
Yes, ground turkey is keto friendly! It’s low in carbs and high in protein, making it perfect for low carb diets like keto.
Don’t worry, you can substitute dried herbs for fresh herbs in my keto turkey meatloaf recipe! Use 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, ½ teaspoon dried basil, ½ dried parsley for the same flavor.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Low Carb Keto Turkey Meatloaf
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh italian parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
- 2 pounds ground turkey
- 1/4 cup fine ground almond flour or pork panko
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup sugar-free ketchup
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and saute for 3-5 minutes or until the onion is translucent and the garlic fragrant. Add the chopped herbs and saute for 1 more minute. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the ground turkey, almond flour (or pork panko), parmesan cheese and sauteed veggies. Mix to combine lightly. Add in the beaten eggs, salt and pepper. Give it a good mix until well combined but don’t overmix.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and from into a loaf shape. Bake for 30 minutes.
- Layer the ketchup on top of the meatloaf and return to the oven for 30 more minutes or until cooked through.
- Rest for 10 minutes and sprinkle with some fresh parsley before slicing.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published August 2024
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