Delicious Gluten-Free Meatloaf
We all have those people in our families… the ones that don’t love meat.
So when I decided to create a gluten-free and Paleo turkey meatloaf I was almost certain I would be eating it all by myself.
But boy was I wrong.
This recipe is perfect for those who can go without meat, but need the protein. It’s so tender and delicious, you’ll be lucky if you have ANY leftovers.
What Makes this Recipe a Superstar?
This Paleo meatloaf is a superstar for a few reasons:
- It is made with lean ground turkey. You can use 93/7 or 99/1.
- It is secretly loaded with vegetables.
- Almond flour is used in place of breadcrumbs.
- Refined sugar-free ketchup is used.
- Lots of yummy spices and herbs!
This meatloaf has been my go to the past year! My family is so in love with this recipe and it’s even better with it being paleo!! I currently have one in the oven and can’t wait to eat! Thank you for this amazing recipe! !
– Shelley
Ingredients and Substitutions
For the exact measurements and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card below.
- Seasonings. Whip up your own Italian seasoning, or grab a bottle from the grocery store. You’re also going to want additional salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Ground turkey. This lean option is perfect for this recipe. You can sub in another ground meat, like chicken or beef, but note the flavor will change.
- Veggies. Both carrots and onions are added for extra nutrition and flavor. They are full of beta-carotene, Vitamin K, and fiber.
- Almond flour. This helps bind the meatloaf together. Almond flour is full of Vitamin E, the good fats, and protein.
- Paleo ketchup. What’s a meatloaf without ketchup? This version is loaded with lycopene-rich tomatoes and sweetened with honey.
Step-by-step Instructions
Please see the recipe card below for the full instructions, ingredient amounts, and a printable recipe.
Make the meatloaf glaze.
The first step is to make the glaze for the meatloaf. Trust me, this sauce MAKES the dish.
Gently stir together ketchup, coconut liquid aminos, honey, and 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning in a dish. Set aside.
Combine the meatloaf ingredients.
Add the turkey, onion, carrots, ketchup, whisked egg, almond flour, coconut aminos, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning to a large bowl. Use your hands or a large spatula to thoroughly combine.
Spread parchment paper over a 9×5-inch loaf pan, then press the meatloaf mixture evenly across the pan. Drizzle the sauce over the top, then tightly cover the pan with foil.
Bake the meatloaf and serve.
Cook the covered meatloaf in a preheated 350°F oven for 1 hour. Remove the foil, and continue cooking for another 15 to 30 minutes. The internal temperature should be 165-170℉ on an internal meat thermometer.
For the best results, let the meatloaf rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving. Otherwise, it might fall apart.
FAQs
Yes! You can prepare the meatloaf mixture up to a day in advance. Just cover it tightly and refrigerate until ready to bake. Let it sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before baking.
Store leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual slices in the oven or air fryer until warmed through, or enjoy cold in a lettuce wrap for a quick meal.
Definitely! You can freeze it either before or after baking. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking or reheating.
If you’re not strictly Paleo, you can substitute breadcrumbs or rolled oats. For Paleo-friendly swaps, try coconut flour (use half the amount) or finely crushed pork rinds for a similar texture.
The key is not to overmix the meat and to add moisture-rich ingredients like onions, tomato paste, or a little olive oil. Also, don’t overbake—remove it once the internal temperature hits 165°F.
What to serve with it?
When you’re ready to dig in, be sure to whip up any of these tasty sides to make a full meal.
Go green with Honey Roasted Broccoli, Crispy Smashed Broccoli, Green Beans Almondine, or Roasted Asparagus with Garlic.
Or, choose a heartier side like Loaded Bacon Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes, or Skillet Sweet Potatoes.
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Ground Turkey Paleo Meatloaf
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Ingredients
- ½ cup ketchup Paleo
- 4 tablespoons coconut liquid aminos* divided
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning divided
- 2 pounds ground turkey
- 1 ½ cups onion finely diced
- 1 cup carrots thinly grated*
- ½ cup ketchup Paleo
- 1 large egg whisked
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉.
- For the Meatloaf Glaze: Combine the ketchup, 2 tablespoons coconut liquid aminos, honey, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning in a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside until ready to use.½ cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon honey
- For the Meatloaf: In a large bowl combine turkey, onion, carrots, ketchup, whisked egg, almond flour, 2 tablespoons coconut aminos, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Mix by hand until all ingredients are well incorporated.2 pounds ground turkey, 1 ½ cups onion, 1 cup carrots, ½ cup ketchup, 1 large egg, 1 cup almond flour, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper. Press the meatloaf mixture evenly into the pan. Spread glaze on top of the meatloaf, cover the pan with a piece of aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour. Remove the foil and continue cooking for 15-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165℉.
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Notes
- Seasoning. Homemade Italian seasoning adds the most flavor.
- Carrots. Grate your own carrots at home so they’re not too thick.
- Rest. Don’t cut into the meatloaf too soon.
- Storage. This meatloaf will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. Freeze for up to 6 months in a freezer-safe container.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Ground Turkey Recipes
Versatile and protein-packed, turkey makes a great addition to some of these classic recipes:
Mine turned out so good! I used monk fruit ins of honey in the sauce.
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Dana! That’s a great substitute for a sweetener, I’m glad it turned out. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment.
Taste was great, but mine didn’t bind for some reason and totally crumbled when I went to cut it after the oven 🙁
Try letting it sit at room temperature for a little bit before cutting into it and see if that helps! Thanks for your feedback, Rachael!
I made this with home-made Whole 30 ketchup (no sugar), and I used a flax-seed faux egg (1T ground flax seed and 3T water; stir and let sit for 15 minutes). I divided it into 8 little loaves, and baked for 30 minutes.
My whole family loved it. Thank you!
What a cute idea to make into little loaves, Elsie! So happy you enjoyed the meatloaf recipe. Thanks for your comment and rating!
This recipe is great. I skipped the ketchup and the glaze because I have problems with Nightshade (Tomato) and it still tasted great. I am really happy to have found a good Turkey Meatloaf.
That’s so great to know that it works without the ketchup/glaze! Thanks so much for the comment/rating!
What can i use instead of carrots. My husband has a sensitivity to carrots. I love that there are no eggs.
Hi Joni! Sorry to hear about your hubby’s sensitivity, but I think sweet potatoes will work just great in place of the carrots. I have not personally tried them, but would love to know what you think! Also, there is 1 egg in the meatloaf and it’s pretty crucial to getting it to hold it’s shape. You can always try using a flax or chia egg in place of it, though!
Could I use 1 lb ground beef and 1 lb ground turkey? Never tried that before, but it’s what I have on hand 😊
Hi Christy! Yes, that should work out great and will probably taste delicious 🙂
Made this recipe with G Hughes sugar free ketchup and this was an instant hit! the tangy sweet flavors blended well in the mouth and there was always something new to taste with each bite. The second day leftovers were even better. If you’re on the fence, get off it and make this meatloaf!
That’s awesome, Ray! I haven’t tried G Hughes ketchup yet, but definitely need to! And yes, the leftovers are out-of-this-world! Thanks so much for your comment and rating 🙂
Recommend something other than Almond Flour? My daughter and husband both have allergies to nuts and trying Paleo diets for the first time.
Hi Christie!! You can always try cassava flour! It has a pretty similar texture to regular flour and is OK for people with nut allergies. I would recommend Otto’s cassava flour for the best results!
I love meatloaf but have never made it with turkey.Will definitely need to try this!
It’s just as yummy with turkey, Karly!
I love that this meatloaf has carrots in it. What a neat trick to sneak in vegetables!
Totally, Madison! Kids won’t even notice 🙂