Turkey Meatloaf

This is a basic recipe for meatloaf. It uses ground turkey in place of traditional ground beef or pork. I find ground turkey is easier to digest. It is also relatively plain and simple – it is hearty and works well with a dinner roll. I eat this meal when I am going through a Crohn's flare-up. I make sure it is not 99% turkey as I need some fat in it. The fat helps to absorb nutrients in my gut.

The backstory to creating this meal is kind of a funny one...

Craving red meat

I was really craving red meat even though it is very hard for me to digest. (It is even harder to digest when you don't have a colon.) My wife fed me a steak and I really did pay the price. 

Weeks went by, and we were having a conversation about the steak. I asked again if she would make it. Of course, her answer was, "no."  I guess I was carrying on and craving red meat, so she finally agreed to make some meat. She said she was going to make "meatloaf." I was really looking forward it. Sure, it wasn't steak, but it was still red meat, right? 

Avoiding my Crohn's trigger

What my wife didn't tell me was that she was going to use turkey meat and just not tell me. I couldn't tell the difference, except that I wasn't running to the bathroom like I was when I ate the red meat!

Was it a cruel trick? Sure was. Was it out of care and love? Sure was! When she told me afterward that was turkey and not regular beef, I was shocked. From now on, when she makes meatloaf... we use this recipe. Enjoy!

Serves 6

Turkey meatloaf ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 whole egg
• 2/3 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional!)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper

Directions for turkey meatloaf

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Spray the pan with nonstick cooking spray (optional, but recommended).
2. In a large bowl, beat the egg just until the yolk and white are combined. Add all of the other ingredients to the bowl.
3. Mix everything together, using either a fork, a large wooden spoon, or your hands (your hands work best).
4. Once everything is combined, transfer the mixture to your pan. Press the mixture down gently to remove any air bubbles and so it is flat on top.
5. Place in the oven and bake for 60 minutes. (Check the temperature of the meatloaf by inserting a clean meat thermometer into the center. Itss done when it reaches 165F).
6. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before eating.

Crohn's and ulcerative colitis recipes

When it comes to cooking with IBD, we're all working from a different set of ingredients. Food sensitivities and dietary restrictions vary greatly from person to person, and there is no one diet recommended for Crohn's or ulcerative colitis. Check out our full list of recipes for more ideas – all from people who cook, eat, and live with IBD!