BBQ Turkey Meat Loaf

Serves: 4
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Pressure: Quick pressure release

A smoky, lower-sugar Instant Pot meat loaf made with ground turkey and barbecue sauce, then finished under the broiler for a bubbly glaze.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound (93% lean) ground turkey\
  • 1/3 cup low-sugar or unsweetened barbecue sauce, divided\
  • 1 large egg\
  • 1/2 cup gluten-free panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs)\
  • 1/2 small yellow onion, finely diced\
  • 1 garlic clove, minced\
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt\
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper\
  • Cooked cauliflower “rice” or cooked rice, for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pan
    Pour 1 cup water into the Instant Pot. Lightly grease a 7-by-3-inch round cake pan or a 5½-by-3-inch loaf pan with olive oil or nonstick spray.

  2. Mix the meat loaf
    In a medium bowl, combine the turkey, 1/3 cup barbecue sauce, egg, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well with your hands until evenly combined.

  3. Shape
    Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan, pressing it into an even layer. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil.

  4. Load into the pot
    Place the pan on a long-handled silicone steam rack and carefully lower it into the Instant Pot.
    (If using the wire rack that came with the pot, use that instead.)

  5. Pressure cook
    Secure the lid and set the Pressure Release to Sealing. Select Pressure Cook / Manual and cook for 25 minutes at high pressure.
    (The pot will take about 10 minutes to come up to pressure before cooking begins.)

  6. Release pressure
    When cooking ends, perform a quick pressure release by moving the Pressure Release to Venting.

  7. Glaze and broil
    Open the pot and carefully lift out the pan using the rack. Remove the foil, brushing the remaining 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce over the top of the meat loaf.

  8. Finish
    Preheat a toaster oven or position an oven rack 4 to 6 inches below the heat source and preheat the broiler. Broil the meat loaf for a few minutes, until the glaze becomes bubbly and lightly browned.

  9. Serve
    Slice the meat loaf and serve hot with cauliflower “rice” or regular rice.

Notes

  • Broiling at the end gives the classic sticky barbecue glaze.\
  • Let the meat loaf rest a few minutes before slicing for cleaner pieces.\
  • Works well with bagged frozen vegetables microwaved while the loaf finishes.