Best Low Carb Keto Turkey Meatloaf

Delicious and flavorful, keto turkey meatloaf is moist and perfect for a low carb family dinner. Traditional meatloaf in gluten-free form, popular with everyone, on a keto diet or not.

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Did you grow up with a family meatloaf? I know some families that ate it once a month or even once a week without fail. Some years ago I started making a turkey meatloaf and absolutely loved it! It was popular with friends and family, and when I started on a keto diet I was determined to make it gluten-free and glorious.

Truly, meatloaf is one of those classic comfort foods. It’s perfect for a winter evening or with a lemony green salad in summer. Moreover, you can bring the family together and enjoy a classic everyone will love, all while sticking to a keto diet.

In a hurry?

While I think you’ll love my super helpful tips and fun stories, I also realize we are sometimes pressed for time and just need a good recipe!

Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the printable recipe or PIN it here for later!

Best low carb substitutions for bread crumbs

If you’ve ever made a meatloaf, you’ll know that most recipes contain bread crumbs. To make a gluten-free and low carb meatloaf I knew I was going to have to find a good replacement for the breadcrumbs. Also, that replacement still had to keep the loaf super moist.

There are quite a few options, such as almond flour and cauliflower rice to name a couple. However, the solution I ended up with as my favorite may not be what you expect.

Pork rinds.

Yes, pork rind crumbs.

Many keto dieters eat pork rinds as a snack so it may or may not surprise you to hear they work well in baking.

Pork rinds in a keto turkey meatloaf.

It’s sort of like when Elizabeth Bennett says, “Shelves in the closet, a happy thought indeed.”

Excuse my Pride and Prejudice reference, but some may be more excited by pork rinds in a meatloaf than others! I admit I find it a very happy thought, indeed, because it works!

How to make pork rind crumbs

First of all, find a good quality pork rind. Some are even flavored and can make the meatloaf even tastier, just be sure they don’t add in something you’re trying to avoid on keto.

Check the ingredients before you buy. That’s sort of a rule I always live by.

There’s a couple of ways you can do this. The simplest, easiest way I’ve found is to put the pork rinds in a gallon zipper bag. Then, take a rolling pin and whack it or roll over the pork rinds. Now, make sure to shake the bag then continue to repeat the process until the rinds are broken down into coarse crumbs.

Lastly, measure out the amount needed, and save the extra in an airtight container.

Alternatively, if you wish to get out a food processor, pork rinds can easily be pulverized to crumbs or even powder. Just pulse it a few times until the desired crumb size is achieved.

🍽 Equipment

To make Keto turkey meatloaf you’ll need: 

• a spatula
• baking sheet/pan
• measuring cups and spoons
• food processor or mortar and pestle
• large bowls

🥘 Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp sugar-free BBQ sauce (or sugar-free ketchup)
• 1/3 cup chicken bone broth
• 1 tsp tomato paste
• 2 lbs ground turkey
• 3/4 cup pork rind crumbs
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1/3 cup sugar free ketchup

Tip: I recently found Primal Kitchen sugar-free ketchup at Costco in packs of three! It’s the little things that make me happy. 😆

🔪 Instructions

How to make a keto turkey meatloaf

To make a low carb turkey meatloaf, begin by getting out a baking sheet then preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

Second, melt the butter in a skillet or sauté pan on medium heat and cook the chopped onions, salt, pepper, and thyme. It should take about 10 minutes until the onions are translucent.

Next, add in the garlic, vinegar, BBQ sauce, chicken bone broth, and tomato paste to the onion mixture. Combine it all well then set aside to let it cool.

Now take out a large bowl and mix the turkey, pork rind crumbs, and eggs together. You can use a spatula or generally I just use my hands as it feels like I get everything more evenly combined. A word of warning! Ground turkey just out of the fridge can be super cold so you may want to let it warm up to almost room temp so you don’t freeze your hands. Or not. 😉

Then add in the cooled onion mixture so it’s evenly dispersed throughout the meat. Once it’s all completely combined, shape it into a rectangle loaf on an ungreased baking sheet.

Lastly, before it’s put in the oven, spread the sugar free ketchup on top evenly. It will bake for about 50 minutes to one hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

Serve hot right out of the oven or at room temperature.

You may find some of the fat from the meat leaks out onto the baking dish. There is nothing to worry about when this happens, and it’s expected. Simply cut the meatloaf into slices and transfer it to a serving platter or bakeware dish.

Enjoy with family or friends!

🍲 Ninja Foodi/pressure cooker instructions

Recently, I’ve been experimenting with many recipes in my Ninja Foodi 9-in-1, which has become my favorite appliance ever. Well, actually it may be second to my Vitamix blender! Either way, both are amazing.

The Ninja Foodi allows a pressure cooker setting and a bake/roast setting to create the perfect meatloaf. And guess what? You don’t even have to turn on the oven! Score. This is perfect for summer days or when you just want it cooked quickly and easily.

A half recipe fits perfectly into the Ninja loaf pan, but you can also use another 8 1/2-inch loaf pan.

First step, complete the keto turkey meatloaf mixture as per the regular instructions. Just cut the recipe in half.

Second, place the mixture in the Ninja loaf pan, or other 8 1/2-inch loaf pan. Cover it tightly with aluminum foil.

Third, pour 1 cup of water into the Ninja Foodi (or another pressure cooker) pot. Place the loaf pan on the bottom tier of the cooking rack after removing the top tier. Carefully set the rack with the loaf pan in the pot.

Fourth, attach the pressure lid and seal the pressure release valve. Select “Pressure” and set it to “High”. Next, set the timer for 15 minutes and start.

Fifth, after the pressure cook is complete, move the pressure valve to the vent position to release the air pressure. Be careful if pressure cooking is new to you! The hot air shoots out quickly.

After that, remove the lid and the foil from the loaf pan. Close the crisping lid and turn it to the “Bake/Roast” setting, temperature 360 degrees Fahrenheit, for 15 minutes.

When it’s finished, remove the meatloaf from the pot and let it cool for about ten minutes before serving.

Best keto comfort foods

Meatloaf, mac and cheese, pizza – these tend to be my comfort foods. What about you and yours? What were your favorite foods growing up you’d love to see with a keto makeover? Maybe it’s Aunt Betty’s famous cheese and broccoli rice casserole or Cousin Fred’s English toffee.

I’m always up for a challenge and trying out new recipes every day. I’d love to hear of your successes (or even non-success stories)! We all learn by trial and error, and it just gets better with each thing you learn. Leave a comment below!

Hopefully, you’ll give this moist and delicious keto turkey meatloaf a go. Add some extra spice or chopped bacon if you want to kick it up a notch or leave it as-is for a kid-friendly family dinner recipe. I think you’re going to love it!

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Need a keto dessert? 

Try out this British classic in keto form: Keto Bakewell Tart

🥣 More Keto Dinner Recipes

1. Keto Cheesy Zucchini Lasagna
2. Keto Jambalaya
3. Low Carb Thai Coconut Soup
4. Creamy Keto Italian Sausage Soup
5. Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Bake

Or maybe you’re more in a fish mood lately? Salmon is always a popular choice around here. Check out these tips for Grilled Salmon.

📖 Printable recipe card

Continue to Content

Keto Turkey Meatloaf

Yield: 8

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

A delicious family-friendly, low carb, gluten-free turkey meatloaf dinner is sure to please even the pickiest eater!

Print

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp sugar-free BBQ sauce (or sugar-free ketchup)
• 1/3 cup chicken bone broth
• 1 tsp tomato paste
• 2 lbs ground turkey
• 3/4 cup pork rind crumbs
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1/3 cup sugar-free ketchup

Instructions

1. Get out a baking sheet and preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Melt the butter in a skillet or sauté pan on medium heat and cook the onions, salt, pepper, and thyme until translucent, about 10 minutes.
3. Add in the garlic, vinegar, BBQ sauce, chicken bone broth, and tomato paste. Mix well then set aside to let cool.
4. Take a large bowl and mix the turkey, pork rind crumbs, and eggs together. Then add in the cooled onion mixture. Once it's all completely combined, shape it into a rectangle loaf on an ungreased baking sheet.
5. Spread the ketchup on top and bake for 50 minutes to one hour, or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Notes

Nutrition Facts

Servings 8.0Amount Per ServingCalories 340  Total Fat 19 g Saturated Fat 6 g Monounsaturated Fat 4 g Polyunsaturated Fat 3 g Trans Fat 0 g Cholesterol 151 mg Sodium 636 mg Potassium 322 mg Total Carbohydrate 4 g Dietary Fiber 3 g Sugars 2 g Protein 38 g Net Carbohydrate 1 g

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 8 Servings
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 340

*Nutrition Facts per MyFitnessPal.com. For most accurate facts, calculate your own with the exact ingredients you use in the recipe.

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