This Chipotle turkey meatloaf is flavorful, filling, and even better the next day! A homemade chipotle ketchup that is Whole30-friendly gives this meatloaf the perfect sour and spicy kick you’ll want. It’s dairy-free, grain free, paleo, and total comfort food!.
Ground turkey is generally not a favorite in my house. My kids will always pick beef, pork, and even ground chicken over ground turkey!.
But, I only see it as a challenge. I’m constantly trying to defend ground turkey and create something really tasty.
Enter meatloaf. Meatloaf can be the ultimate cozy comfort food or it can be pretty terrible, honestly. When you use ground turkey, which doesn’t have enough fat on its own to make it really tasty and moist, things get a little trickier.
I LOVE my veggie ranch turkey meatloaf so much, but I wanted to try something SO different with this one. And still, of course, make it into a favorite that I’ll want to make more than once!.
I used to make chipotle ketchup that was paleo and low in FODMAPs, but not Whole30-friendly and years ago. I’ve also made a classic meatloaf with my original Whole30 ketchup that’s a big reader favorite.
I decided to combine the two for this recipe and make the result the main ingredient in the turkey meatloaf. You get TONS of flavor from the Whole30 chipotle ketchup, which is both in the meatloaf mix and on top.
The result was a big success with the kiddos! It has spice, but isn’t overly spicy. This recipe also lets you change the amount of chipotle powder you use, so if you like spicy food, turn it up!
The meatloaf wasn’t dry at all, which is a nice surprise because I often have that problem with chicken and turkey meatloaf made with almond flour as a binder. The ketchup definitely helps keep the meatloaf moist in addition to making it really yummy!.
Still, be careful not to over-bake, because any meatloaf will fall apart if it’s in the oven for too long!
You’re done when the juices run clear and the middle is no longer pink. This took me about 45 minutes, but you can check on it at 40 to be sure.
Get your ingredients ready, and let’s go! I hope you’re ready for a new, FUN meatloaf to share with your family.
Ground turkey is one of the most versatile and popular proteins for Whole30. It’s lean, budget-friendly, and easy to cook with. That’s why we’ve rounded up 15 of our absolute favorite ground turkey Whole30 recipes. These dishes are all compliant, full of flavor, and will satisfy any craving.
Why Choose Ground Turkey For Whole30
There are many great reasons to use ground turkey during your Whole30. Here are some of the top benefits:
-
It’s very lean and low in fat. Going with 93% lean ground turkey ensures you’re getting quality protein without too much saturated fat. This makes it ideal for the Whole30 guidelines.
-
It’s nutrient dense. Turkey provides important nutrients like selenium, vitamin B6, choline, and zinc. These support immune health, metabolism, brain function, and more.
-
It’s versatile and easy to cook. Ground turkey works great in everything from burgers to meatballs, tacos, chili, casseroles, and so much more. It also cooks up fast on the stovetop or in the oven.
-
It’s budget friendly. Ground turkey tends to cost less than other ground meats like beef, making it wallet friendly. This is especially helpful when doing a full 30 day Whole30.
-
It satisfies cravings Turkey offers a neutral flavor that takes on spices and ingredients well This makes it perfect for replicating dishes you may miss, like sloppy Joes, meatballs, or burgers.
15 Must-Try Ground Turkey Whole30 Recipes
Now let’s dive into 15 amazing Whole30 ground turkey recipes to enjoy:
1. Whole30 Turkey Meatballs
Flavored with fresh basil and garlic, these Whole30 turkey meatballs make for a perfect lunch or dinner. They can be served alone, over zucchini noodles, or with a side salad.
2. Whole30 Turkey Burgers
Bring on the burgers! Ditch the bun and try these delicious Whole30 turkey burgers served alongside roasted potato wedges and a creamy avocado sauce.
3. Italian Turkey Zucchini Boats
For a fun twist, check out these Italian turkey zucchini boats stuffed with turkey, tomatoes, spinach, and spices.
4. Whole30 Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps
Miss tacos on Whole30? No problem! These turkey taco lettuce wraps with spicy ground turkey, guacamole, and tomato salsa totally satisfy.
5. Whole30 Turkey Meatloaf
For the ultimate comfort food, bake up this delicious Whole30 turkey meatloaf topped with a carrot glaze that caramelizes while cooking.
6. Whole30 Turkey Lasagna Zucchini Boats
All the lasagna flavors you love in convenient turkey lasagna zucchini boats. They’re packed with protein, veggies, and bold Italian spices.
7. Whole30 Sloppy Joe Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes get a protein punch with this fun Whole30 sloppy Joe stuffed sweet potato recipe. Kids and adults alike will devour it.
8. Whole30 Turkey Breakfast Sausage Patties
Start your day right with these homemade turkey breakfast sausage patties. They’re way better than store-bought!
9. Whole30 Turkey Veggie Soup
Warm up with this nourishing Whole30 turkey veggie soup packed with turkey, carrots, cabbage, zucchini, and fresh herbs.
10. Whole30 Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
For the ultimate comfort food, try this Whole30 turkey shepherd’s pie with creamy mashed cauliflower topping.
11. Whole30 Turkey-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash boats get stuffed with savory turkey and veggie goodness in this clever and delicious dinner.
12. Whole30 Turkey Chili
This hearty Whole30 turkey chili with butternut squash and chili spices really satisfies. Top it with avocado and green onion.
13. Whole30 Turkey Meatball Zoodle Soup
Slurp up gluten-free turkey meatballs and zoodles in this tasty soup. It’s Whole30 approved and ready in 30 minutes.
14. Whole30 Turkey-Stuffed Acorn Squash
For a seasonal dish, bake up acorn squash stuffed with savory ground turkey and veggies. Simple yet delicious!
15. Whole30 Turkey Breakfast Tacos
Make breakfast fun again with these Whole30 turkey breakfast tacos served in lettuce wraps and topped with veggies, salsa, and a fried egg.
Tips For Cooking Ground Turkey On Whole30
Now that you have 15 amazing recipes to try, here are some useful ground turkey cooking tips for your Whole30:
-
Choose 93% lean ground turkey for the best results and to limit fat intake.
-
Season well with fresh herbs, spices, garlic, citrus, etc. Turkey takes on flavor!
-
Don’t overcook. Cook just until no longer pink in the middle. 165°F is ideal.
-
Brown in batches if making a recipe like chili or sauce to avoid moisture building up.
-
Mix in egg, almond flour, or coconut flour to help meatballs and burgers hold together.
-
Let sit for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to reabsorb for moist, tender meat.
-
Store cooked turkey in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze for longer storage.
Satisfy Your Whole30 Cravings With Turkey
During your Whole30, ground turkey is sure to become one of your go-to proteins. It’s budget friendly, easy to cook, and works great in so many recipes from burgers to meatballs, tacos, casseroles, soups, and more.
Try out a few of these 15 mouthwatering Whole30 ground turkey recipes for easy, delicious, compliant meals any night of the week. Your tastebuds will thank you!
Paleo Chipotle Turkey Meatloaf {Whole30}
- Make the ketchup first. In a mixing bowl, whisk all of the ingredients together until the mixture is very smooth. Taste it and make any necessary seasoning changes. Set aside.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Heat a small/med skillet over medium heat. Add the ghee and cook the onions and celery until they are clear. Then add the garlic and cook for another 15 to 30 seconds. Take the pan off the heat and set it aside.
- Put the ground turkey, egg, almond flour, sea salt, spices, 1/3 of the ketchup, and the onions that have been sautéed in a large bowl. Use your hands to mix the ingredients together well until they are all mixed in. Transfer mixture to a medium loaf pan – either 8. 5 x 4. 5 or 9 x 5. Spread the last 1/3 cup of ketchup on top with a silicone spatula or spoon.
- Put it in an oven that has already been heated up for 40 to 50 minutes, or until it is fully cooked and no longer pink in the middle. Let the loaf rest for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting it up and serving it. Enjoy! .
Put 1 cup of pitted medjool dates in 1/2 to 3/4 cup of very hot water and let them soak for a few minutes. This will make date paste. Put the ingredients in a blender (a small one works best, or you can use a small food processor) and blend them until they are very smooth. You will need 2 Tbsp for this recipe, save the rest in the refrigerator for other uses.
Whole30 Meal Prep | 3 Whole30 Recipes with Ground Turkey
Is ground turkey good for Whole30?
Any ground turkey will work for Whole30 as long as it doesn’t haven’t any additives or flavoring added. Many people doing Whole30 diets look for organic ground turkey. Both ground dark meat and light meat turkey are allowed. Dark meat turkey has more fat and tends to have more flavor than light turkey meat or ground turkey breast.
How do you make a Turkey stir fry on a Whole30?
These Whole30 Turkey-Stuffed Peppers from Primal Edge Health combine ground turkey with mushrooms, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes for a filling. Stuff them into bell peppers and bake until tender. 11. Whole30 Turkey-Veggie Stir Fry Quickly sauté ground turkey with your favorite veggies for a Whole30-friendly stir fry.
How do you make teriyaki sauce for ground turkey?
First, cook the ground turkey in a skillet over medium heat with all turkey bowl ingredients except cauliflower rice for 5 to 7 minutes, covered. Occasionally stir and break up meat with a spatula. In another skillet, cook the cauliflower rice with a drizzle of olive oil over low heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once the turkey is cooked, make the teriyaki sauce.
How do you cook a ground turkey in a cast iron skillet?
Heat the avocado oil in a skillet over medium to medium-high heat in a large cast iron or stainless steel skillet (I use a 12-inch skillet). Add the ground turkey and press into a single layer. Brown turkey without touching it for 2 to 3 minutes, until browned. Flip the meat and continue browning another 2 minutes.
How do you cook a ground turkey?
Choose 93% lean or leaner ground turkey to limit fat intake. Avoid pre-flavored turkey with additives. Season ground turkey well with fresh herbs, spices, garlic, mustard, etc. It has a mild flavor on its own. Cook ground turkey thoroughly to 165°F internal temperature to eliminate bacteria risk.
What can I substitute for ground turkey teriyaki?
To cook, ground turkey can be substituted with ground beef or ground chicken in a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil. Cook on medium until brown and crumbly, breaking up meat with a spatula as you cook. These are the main ingredients and substitutions for ground turkey teriyaki bowls. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe.