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Turkey Meatloaf Muffins with salsa and cheese are bursting with flavor. The whole family will love this healthy, 5-ingredient recipe.
I have the secret to making meatloaf a top-requested dinner. Serve it in a fun-sized muffin shape. Oh, and mix in lots of cheese.
That's why turkey salsa meatloaf muffins, Gourmet Meatloaf Muffins, and Buffalo Chicken Meatloaf Cups are so popular. They're super tender and tasty. Plus they're portion-controlled, kid-friendly, and cook very quickly.
More reasons to love this recipe:
- It only requires a few ingredients you can easily keep on hand for last-minute dinner plans.
- It's gluten-free, egg-free, and naturally low in carbs.
- It can be made ahead of time and frozen before or after cooking.
- Having some of these in the freezer is a great strategy for a quick and easy dinner.
Jump to:
Ingredients
There are 5 basic ingredients in these turkey meatloaf muffins, not counting salt and pepper.
- Ground turkey - Turkey that's 93% lean / 7% fat is ideal for moist turkey meatloaf. A higher fat content will be a little greasy. And if the turkey is too lean, the meatloaf tends to be on the dry side.
- Salsa - Use your favorite salsa, so long as it is not runny. The type used will completely transform the flavor of this recipe. We often use peach salsa, and it makes these turkey meatloaf muffins something special!
- Cheese - Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or Cotija cheeses compliment the Tex-Mex flavors.
- Oatmeal - We used old-fashioned oats. There's no need to grind it, but you can. Quick cooking oats or panko breadcrumbs can be used instead.
- Onion - Use red, white, or sweet onions that have been diced.
Directions with Pictures
Here's how to make ground turkey meatloaf in a muffin pan:
- In a large bowl, combine oatmeal, shredded cheese, diced onion, salsa, salt, and pepper. Once these ingredients are thoroughly combined, add ground turkey and mix just until everything is mixed together.
- Tip: To avoid "tough" muffins, don't handle and mix the turkey mixture more than you have to!
- Note: Combining all the other ingredients before adding the ground turkey ensures even distribution.
- Portion turkey meatloaf mixture into a muffin tin coated with non-stick spray. Use a quick-release ¼ cup scoop (if you have one) so they are all the same size. Press the mixture down with the back of a spoon.
- Top with more salsa!
- Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes.
How Long to Cook Turkey Meatloaf
Cook turkey meatloaf muffins to an internal temperature of 165 °F. The inside should not be pink. We highly recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches a safe temperature.
The time it will take to cook the meatloaf mixture in a 350 °F oven depends on how you shape it! Muffins cook more quickly than a loaf, which is why we love them.
But you have lots of options for cooking 1 pound of ground turkey meatloaf:
- Muffin pan (yields 12) - 15-20 minutes.
- Large Meatballs (yields 12) 15-20 minutes. Use a ¼ cup scoop to create large meatballs that cook on a sheet pan.
- One-pound loaf - Cooked in a loaf pan or shaped into a loaf and cooked on a sheet pan. It generally takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Three mini loaves - Using smaller loaf pans generally takes about 30 minutes.
- Meatballs - Use a 1.5 Tablespoon scoop to make about 36 meatballs that bake in the oven for about 15 minutes.
- Flat like a burger! Bake or cook on the stovetop or grill. It will take about 15 minutes.
Storage, Reheating, Freezing
- Refrigerator - Store leftover meatloaf in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Freezer - Store cooked leftovers in an air-tight container or plastic bag, with excess air removed. It's best enjoyed within 2-3 months.
- Reheat - To reheat in the oven, place muffins with a few drops of liquid in a pan. Cook in the oven at 250 °F for 20-25 minutes or until heated to an internal temperature of 165 °F. Alternatively, cover the meatloaf with a wet paper towel or microwave cover and heat for several minutes. Use short bursts to avoid overcooking.
- Freezer Meal - Prepare and freeze uncooked turkey meatloaf in the muffin tin. Wrap the muffin pan in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Be sure to label it. Store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight and cook as you usually would.
What to Serve with Turkey Meatloaf
Any side dishes you would serve with traditional meatloaf are fantastic with these ground turkey meatloaf muffins too. Here's a healthy menu plan:
- Mashed cauliflower or mashed potatoes.
- Green beans, like these crispy ones you make in an air fryer.
- Corn on or off the cob. You can cook corn in the husk in minutes!
- Street corn in a cup (elote) perfectly compliments the salsa flavoring!
FAQ
Yes. Ground chicken, beef, or pork can be substituted for turkey.
More Meatloaf Recipes
All of these recipes can be cooked in a muffin tin too!
Did you make this recipe?
Please leave a rating and tell us how you liked it!
📋 Recipe
Turkey Meatloaf Muffins with Salsa
Ingredients
- ½ cup oatmeal or breadcrumbs
- ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese shredded
- ¼ cup red onion diced
- ⅓ cup salsa plus about 3 Tablespoons to spoon over the tops (I used peach salsa!)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 pound ground turkey breast
Instructions
- Preheatthe oven to 350 °F.
- Add all ingredients, except turkey, to a large bowl and mix well.
- Add ground turkey to the bowl and fold in the other ingredients so that they are evenly distributed throughout the meat. Don't over-mix or the meat will be tough when cooked.
- Portion about a ¼ cup of the mixture into each well of a muffin tin coated in cooking spray. Compress mixture with the back of a spoon.
- Top each meatloaf muffin with a teaspoon of salsa.
- Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 °F.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on 10/9/14 and has been updated to improve the reader experience.
Mini Frericks
Looking forward to making up these for busy week night meals and as appetizers!
Freezing ahead!!
Marjory
They freeze beautifully! I hope you enjoy them!!!
Ashley Fehr
My kids love these! They're perfect for lunches!
Marjory
Awesome! They are definitely kid-friendly.
Sara
Meatloaf is a favorite in my house, but I never thought to make it in muffin form. My kids will love this recipe!
Nutmeg Nanny
Love the addition of sweet peach salsa on top of these meatloaves. It's the perfect bite of sweet.