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The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Turkey » Slow Cooker Turkey Meatloaf (with Stovetop stuffing)

Slow Cooker Turkey Meatloaf (with Stovetop stuffing)

by Sarah Olson on March 7, 2023 | Updated April 27, 2023 53 Comments

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This Slow Cooker Turkey Meatloaf is made with ground turkey, Stovetop stuffing, celery, carrot, and a few seasonings you’ll most likely already have on hand. This comforting meal is flavorful, delicious, and sure to be a huge hit for the whole family.

If you happen to have leftover turkey, consider using it to make these Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs.

Turkey meatloaf in a slow cooker.

Why this crock pot turkey meatloaf recipe works

Most traditional meatloaf recipes call for tons of ingredients, but not this time. Instead of using crackers, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and lots of seasonings like onion powder and garlic powder, this recipe brings together the bare minimum for the most flavor.

The prep time is moderate and the cooking time isn’t too long, which means you can make slow cooker turkey meatloaf early in the day and have it ready by dinnertime. Oh, and you can skip the special pans because this delicious meatloaf is cooked in the slow cooker.

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for turkey meatloaf on a table.
  • Ground Turkey: Turkey is one of the healthier meats and still provides a good taste and texture like ground beef.
  • Stovetop Stuffing: Be sure to grab the turkey kind to keep the flavors the same. This works much like using regular breadcrumbs or crushed crackers.
  • Vegetables: You will only need one celery stalk, one large carrot, and a large onion all of which will be diced and kneaded into the ground turkey.
  • Eggs: Most traditional meatloaf recipes use eggs to help with binding everything together.
  • Milk: Add a bit of moisture to the meat mixture.
  • Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, and rubbed sage give this meatloaf the perfect flavor.
  • Butter: Melted butter will be used to saute the vegetables until just soft.

Step-by-Step Directions

6 images showing how to make turkey meatloaf in a slow cooker.

Step One – Melt the butter in a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat. Once melted, saute the carrots, onion, and celery until soft.

Step Two – Add the turkey, stuffing mix, eggs, salt, pepper, rubbed sage, and milk into a large bowl along with the cooked and cooled onions, carrots, and celery.

Step Three – Mix everything together with clean hands.

Step Four – Shape the meatloaf mixture into loaf form in the slow cooker.

Step Five – Cover and cook meatloaf on LOW for 5 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.

Step Six – While still in the crockpot, cut the meatloaf into slices for easy serving. Enjoy!

overhead shot of turkey meatloaf in a white slow cooker.

How to serve

  • Serve this slow cooker meatloaf alongside a few tasty side items such as mashed potatoes and gravy, steamed green beans, mac and cheese, steamed broccoli, and/or roasted veggies. Don’t forget the dinner rolls!
  • If you want to add a sauce topping, consider bbq sauce, tomato sauce, chili sauce, or ketchup.
  • You can also serve meatloaf sandwiches on white bread, a hoagie bun, or Italian bread.
plate with mashed potaotes, green beans and turkey meatloaf.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

How can I make this meatloaf more hearty?

If you want to stick with a meatloaf recipe similar to when using ground beef, you can add diced bell pepper.

What other seasonings do you recommend adding?

In addition to kosher salt, black pepper and age, you can add onion powder, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and/or an all-purpose seasoning.

Can I use a different meat?

Sure! You can use beef, ground chicken, ground pork, or a combination of them.

How do I store leftovers?

Put any remaining meatloaf in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Should I use parchment paper to keep the meatloaf from sticking?

No. That isn’t necessary since there are enough juices from the turkey.

Is this a recipe that I can prep ahead of time?

Yes! You can premake the meatloaf, cover it in plastic wrap, and keep in the fridge overnight.

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overhead shot of turkey meatloaf in a white slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Turkey Meatloaf

4.92 from 24 votes
Tender turkey meatloaf with stove-top stuffing as the binder.
Print Pin Rate Share by Text
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours hours
Total Time: 5 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 219kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup diced carrots
  • ½ cup diced onion
  • ½ cup diced celery
  • 2 Tbsp. butter
  • 2 lbs. ground turkey, I use 7% fat
  • 6 oz. box turkey Stove-Top® Stuffing
  • 2 eggs
  • ¼ tsp. salt
  • ¼ tsp. pepper
  • ½ tsp. rubbed sage not ground, this is still from a jar
  • 3 Tbsp. milk
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • In a medium sized skillet set over medium high heat. Add the butter, when the butter is melted sauté the carrots, onion, and celery until soft. This will take about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool while you get the other ingredients ready.
  • In a large bowl add the turkey, stuffing mix, eggs, salt, pepper, rubbed sage and milk. Add in the cooked and cooled onions, carrots and celery. Mix together with clean hands.
  • Shape the meat mixture into loaf form in the slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 5 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
  • Serve and enjoy!
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How to Video:

Recipe Notes:

  • Ground beef can be used instead of turkey.
  • You can make the meatloaf the night before and cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge
  • Put any remaining meatloaf in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 219kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 274mg | Potassium: 429mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1620IU | Vitamin C: 1.4mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1.3mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker

Here are my other favorite Slow Cooker Meatloaf Recipes:

  • Slow Cooker Homestyle Meatloaf
  • Slow Cooker Bacon Barbecue Meatloaf
  • Slow Cooker Meatloaf and Baked Potatoes
  • Slow Cooker Lipton Onion Meatloaf
  • Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf Stuffed Peppers
  • Slow Cooker Hobo Dinner (with meatloaf)

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    Filed Under: Dinner, Meatloaf, Turkey

    Comments

    1. Keisha says

      March 21, 2023 at 1:04 pm

      I am going to make this for dinner this weekend. Do you recommend 99 percent turkey or 93 percent? Also, my slow cooker is non- stick. Do you recommend using a slow cooker liner, such as a Reynolds liner?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        March 21, 2023 at 2:00 pm

        I like 93%. No, you don’t need a liner unless you prefer using them!

        Reply
        • Keisha says

          March 22, 2023 at 1:01 pm

          Thanks.

    2. Jan T says

      September 4, 2022 at 2:25 pm

      5 stars
      This is really great! I couldn’t find turkey flavored stove top in Sept, so I used half a package of Mrs. Cubbison’s corn bread stuffing and let it stay overnight in the fridge so the dry ingredients could become moist. I also used 1/4 milk instead. It was delicious!! Next time I think I’d use a bit more onion.

      Reply
    3. Terry Hudson says

      March 28, 2022 at 10:46 am

      Has anyone cooked it on high? If so, how long? And how did it turnout?

      Reply
    4. Donna Hutchinson says

      March 23, 2022 at 3:44 am

      Can you put the loaf on a rack as it were in the crockpot so it’s not sitting directly on the bottom?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        March 23, 2022 at 8:19 am

        You could, though I think it may sink through the rack, may need a piece of foil under the meat too. It’s hard to say without trying. Turkey meat is very wet.

        Reply
    5. Darrin says

      January 18, 2022 at 7:22 am

      5 stars
      Hi there…I made this before and it is lovely! The video shows you adding gravy once plated, do you have a particular gravy recipe you use?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 18, 2022 at 8:25 am

        Truthfully, I use a packet of turkey gravy with water, I make it on the stove top 🙂

        Reply
        • Darrin says

          January 19, 2022 at 5:56 am

          That’s too funny! Would not have thought that’s what you would do! If you want a really no-drippings required gravy that is quite yummy, here is a link to another on-line chef I follow which is quite easy: https://www.recipetineats.com/gravy/

        • Sarah Olson says

          January 19, 2022 at 8:37 am

          I will try that, thanks! LOL

    6. Christina says

      November 3, 2020 at 9:13 am

      5 stars
      Do you think I could use this recipe to make meatballs instead of meatloaf?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        November 3, 2020 at 9:26 am

        Yes, I think that would work great! I will try sometime.

        Reply
    7. Julie says

      November 20, 2019 at 5:03 pm

      5 stars
      Hi.
      I don’t care for ground turkey. Can leftover turkey or rotisserie chicken be used??

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        November 20, 2019 at 7:50 pm

        No, it needs to be raw meat for this recipe.

        Reply
        • Candice says

          September 20, 2020 at 2:57 pm

          Can I cook on high for shorter amount of time? Or if I need it faster can I bake it?

        • Sarah Olson says

          September 20, 2020 at 5:35 pm

          It’s hard to say without testing in the slow cooker on high. Oven may be a better route.

    8. Deborah Levesque says

      August 18, 2018 at 6:40 am

      Do you need to use cooking spray so the meatloaf doesn’t stick to the slow cooker?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        August 19, 2018 at 8:19 am

        I do spray my slow cooker with non stick spray, but it really would be fine without since it’s not touching the sides, and the bottom will release easily from the liquid in the crock pot.

        Reply
    9. Rick Flow says

      May 14, 2018 at 4:34 pm

      5 stars
      May have been mentioned but I bet a handful of dried cranberries mixed in would be great or either a reduced glaze of cranberry sauce on top.

      Reply
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