Slow Cooker BBQ Cheddar Turkey Meatloaf
Slow Cooker BBQ Cheddar Turkey Meatloaf combines lean ground turkey, sharp cheddar cheese, and savory spices, all topped with tangy BBQ sauce. It’s slow-cooked to perfection for an easy, delicious dinner the whole family will love!
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Slow Cooker BBQ Cheddar Turkey Meatloaf takes everything you love about the nostalgic comfort food and changes things up with cheddar cheese, ground turkey, and a BBQ sauce glaze on top!
If you’re looking for a super easy dinner recipe that the entire family will love, look no further!
This slow cooker meatloaf recipe is:
- Easy to make – the slow cooker does all the work!
- Made with ground turkey – for those that don’t eat beef or looking for a leaner protein.
- Inexpensive – ground turkey is much cheaper than ground beef.
- Convenient – whether it’s summer and too hot to cook, you’re camping, or you’re oven isn’t working, the slow cooker makes this meal super convenient!
- No prepping! – just combine the meatloaf ingredients and that’s it!
If you like sriracha, this Sriracha Meatloaf is another family favorite!
Ingredients needed to make this recipe (scroll down to recipe card for complete recipe):
- Ground turkey – I like to use 93% lean so it’s not dry
- Cheddar cheese – feel free to use Swiss, pepper jack, or another cheese instead
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Eggs
- BBQ sauce
- Spices – smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt & pepper
How to make Slow Cooker Turkey Meatloaf
- Combine all of the meatloaf ingredients except for the BBQ sauce in a mixing bowl. Mix until just combined.
- Form meatloaf into an oval, then place it in a parchment paper-lined slow cooker.
- You can slather the BBQ sauce on top now or when it’s done cooking, or both!
- Cook meatloaf according to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- When done, you can easily remove the meatloaf by lifting the parchment paper out of the slow cooker.
📍This is just a summary. The full recipe with exact ingredient amounts and instructions is on the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
I have added the BBQ sauce to the top of the meatloaf before it’s cooked and I’ve added it after it’s cooked. There was no noticeable difference.
How to serve Cheddar BBQ Meatloaf
We like to serve this meatloaf with a couple side dishes. Some of our favorites are:
- Macaroni & cheese
- Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes
- Green salad
- Slow Cooker Herbed Baby Potatoes
- Roasted vegetables
- Mom’s Sausage Stuffing
Leftover meatloaf also makes a great sandwich!
How to store leftover meatloaf
Once cooled, store leftover meatloaf in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
It can be frozen in freezer-safe packaging for up to 2-3 months.
💡 Tips & Tricks
- Turkey: The leaner the ground turkey you use, the dryer the meatloaf will be. I use 93% lean for this recipe and nothing leaner. I have not tested this recipe with ground beef.
- Cheese: Feel free to replace the cheddar cheese with pepper jack, Swiss, or another cheese.
- Parchment paper: I cook the meatloaf on parchment paper so when it’s done, you can easily lift it out of the slow cooker.
- Check temperature: To avoid overcooking the meatloaf and drying it out, I highly recommend using a meat thermometer before the end time to check the temperature.
Note – I tested this recipe a lot! I made it with varying types of ground turkey, different amounts of cheese, and multiple binders (milk/bread vs. breadcrumbs). This is the version that we all liked best. While delicious & flavorful, expect the texture to be more dense than ground beef meatloaf.
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Slow Cooker BBQ Cheddar Turkey Meatloaf
Equipment
- 5-quart oval slow cooker
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 2 pounds 93% lean ground turkey
- 2 eggs whisked
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 cups shredded cheddar
- 1.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce plus more for serving
Instructions
- Combine all of the meatloaf ingredients except for the BBQ sauce in a mixing bowl. Mix until just combined. Try not to overmix.
- Form the meatloaf mixture into an oval, then place it in a parchment paper-lined slow cooker. You can slather the BBQ sauce on top now or when it's done cooking, or both! I've tried it both ways and each one works. I like mine saucier, so I add more afterwards anyways.
- Cook meatloaf on low for 4-5 hours. Every slow cooker heats differently, so I check mine at the 4-hour mark with a meat thermometer. When its internal temperature is 165°, it's done. You don't want to overcook the meatloaf or it will get dry. When done, you can easily remove the meatloaf by lifting the parchment paper out of the slow cooker.
- There will be some liquid in the slow cooker. After you remove the meatloaf and parchment paper, drain the liquid from the slow cooker. Feel free to sauce the top of the meatloaf again and serve with more sauce on the side. Enjoy!
Notes
- I have not tested this recipe with ground beef. I intentionally used ground turkey to keep the grease minimal.
Did you make this recipe? Rate it and let me know in the comments below! ♥
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This easy slow cooker recipe is a family favorite!