Gluten Free Meatloaf
This gluten free meatloaf is a makeover of one of the first recipes I posted when I first started blogging. It’s a family favorite and a great way to stretch a pound of ground meat! I’ve updated it for a number of reasons. First of all, I wanted to make it gluten free. I make it with ground turkey, but you can substitute ground beef if you’d like!
Second, the original recipe used a stuffing mix, which isn’t really necessary if you just use dried bread cubes and poultry seasoning. (This post was originally on August 26, 2017.)
My mom never made meatloaf when I was growing up, so the first time I ever had this was in my late 20’s. It’s so delicious, I generally make a double batch because the first one is inhaled by the family and I do like to “cook once, eat twice”! It’s a great budget dish too, as a pound and a half of ground meat will serve 4-6. I pump up the flavor in both the meatloaf and gravy with a bouillon paste, like this one.
What makes this meatloaf so light and fluffy?
The “secret” ingredient in this turkey meatloaf is club soda! The club soda makes it very light and fluffy. A pound and a half of ground turkey makes enough meatloaf to serve 4 to 6.
What makes this turkey meatloaf recipe gluten free?
Instead of regular bread crumbs, use your favorite gluten free bread to make the bread cubes. While this is an extra step, I save the small bits and the heels in the freezer for just this sort of recipe. To make the bread cubes, just cube the My family likes this meatloaf with mushroom gravy and mashed potatoes.
No ketchup meatloaf!
This is the only meatloaf recipe I will eat, as I’m not a fan of ketchup, and it seems most meatloaf has ketchup in, or on it. So it’s definitely more savory than some meatloaf recipes. Since it’s made with ground turkey, there’s more of a poultry flavor. I love to serve it with this Easy Mushroom Gravy.
If you’re looking for other ways to change up your pound of ground meat, how about Chinese Lettuce Wraps, Quick Gyros Salad, Shepherd’s Pie, or Enchilada Casserole.
Gluten Free Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pound ground turkey
- 1 onion chopped, about 2 cups
- 2/3 cup celery chopped
- 3 ounces gluten free bread cubes about 2 cups, diced
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons chicken bouillion
- 1/2 cup plain club soda
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Put bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast in oven until golden and crisp, about 10 minutes.
- In a saute pan, heat oil. Add chopped onion and celery and cook 3-4 minutes, until translucent. Add garlic and cook and additional minute, just until fragrant. Remove from heat.
- In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, toasted bread cubes, eggs, sauteed vegetables, spices, and club soda. (I use my hands).
- Fill a lightly greased 9"x6" loaf pan with meatloaf mixture. Do not pack. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes. Meatloaf should be hot and bubbly. Let stand 15 minutes for juices to set.
As a rule, I abhor meatloaf. I don’t know where I had it, but it was like eating a roof shingle. My mother made an Italian meatloaf once, with dry cured italian sausage through the center and it was delicious, but for some reason she (nor I) ever made it again!
Your meatloaf looks totally different than those dry “ketchup filled” bricks. I’m sure I’d love this version, especially with the mushroom gravy! YUM!!
You know how I feel about ketchup…that’s why I love this recipe!
I love this recipe, I’m going to have my hubby try this with low carb bread crumbs – we’re always looking for new dinners to make that are low carb.
I just save up bits of our GF bread heels.
This turkey meatloaf sounds incredible! And the mushroom gravy is the best idea ever! Yummy!
thank you Kristine!
Yummy! This looks great and I have never considered making gluten free meatloaf. I have got to try this soon!
Thank you Luci!
Hi..wish you very happy new week..awesome recipe..shared and uploaded to my social accounts..With regard to Turkey meat ,my experience showed me that our Turkey meat is not juicy .like Lamb or beef..somebody suggested me to mix that meat with White Meat of Lamb”FAT”,,would you kindly comment on this with many thanks to you.Zouhair
good point Zouhair. The ground turkey here in the states has some fat in in. Ground lamb is not as readily available and is much more expensive.
Nice photography thanks for sharing
thank you!
I’ve never really made meatloaf before but this looks like a great recipe
thank you Amy!
I’ll have to give this idea to my mom! Her and my dad both really like turkey and we always have leftovers after Thanksgivng!
this calls for ground turkey, which is available year round too!
Did you say you use club soda in the recipe? I didn’t see it on the list, but I’m really curious how you use it! I like meatloaf because everyone loves it!
Yes, Mimi,
1/2 cup plain club soda. I’ve amended the recipe.
Your instructions show club soda bit it is not listed in your ingredients. Can you please tell me how much to add to the mixture?
Thanks for catching that! 1/2 cup plain club soda! I’ve amended the recipe card.
I could not find a baking time for this recipe.
sorry deb! It’s 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. Check to see that it’s hot and bubbly.
I just went back and checked the instructions. It looks like the last part of the instructions got cut off. I fixed it. Thanks!
Where is the gravy recipe?
I will do a gravy recipe…It is just a basic brown gravy with mushrooms, but I will certainly update it!