Hawaiian BBQ Sweet Potato Meatloaf

Meatloaf has a reputation for being a little boring.

This one definitely isn't.

My Hawaiian BBQ Sweet Potato Meatloaf combines grass-fed ground beef or turkey with mashed sweet potato and a sweet and tangy Hawaiian-style BBQ sauce for a completely different take on traditional meatloaf.

The sweet potato helps keep the meatloaf moist while adding just enough natural sweetness to complement the BBQ sauce. And instead of breadcrumbs or crackers, the mashed sweet potato helps bring everything together.

It's savory, slightly sweet, protein-rich and perfect when you're craving comfort food but want something a little different.

Why Add Sweet Potato to Meatloaf?

Sweet potato might sound like an unusual meatloaf ingredient, but it works surprisingly well.

Traditional meatloaf recipes often rely on breadcrumbs as part of the binder. In this recipe, mashed sweet potato adds moisture and texture while pairing beautifully with the Hawaiian BBQ flavor.

Sweet potatoes also provide fiber, potassium and beta-carotene, making them one of my favorite carbohydrates to work into meals.

And if you have leftover baked sweet potatoes in the refrigerator, this is a great way to use them.

Beef or Turkey? Both Work

You can make this recipe with either 93% lean grass-fed ground beef or turkey.

Beef gives the meatloaf a richer, more traditional flavor, while turkey makes a slightly lighter version. The sweet potato helps keep either option moist, which is especially helpful when you're using leaner meat.

I like recipes that give you options because sometimes the best protein is simply the one you already have in the refrigerator.

Hawaiian BBQ Sweet Potato Meatloaf

Ingredients:

• 16 oz. grass-fed ground beef or turkey (93% lean)

• 2 sweet potatoes (1 cup cooked mashed sweet potatoes)

• 1/4 cup + 2 TBSP Primal Kitchen Hawaiian Style BBQ sauce

• 1 egg

• 2 TBSP dried minced onion or onion flakes

• 1 tsp herbs de Provence

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp sea salt

• 1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

1. Pierce the sweet potatoes several times with a fork and cook them in the oven or air fryer until tender. I use my air fryer at 390°F for approximately 40 minutes.

2. Remove the skins and mash the sweet potatoes. Measure out 1 cup of mashed sweet potato and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes.

3. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

4. In a small bowl, mix together the dried minced onion, herbs de Provence, garlic powder and sea salt. Set aside.

5. In a large bowl, add the ground beef or turkey, mashed sweet potato, 1/4 cup Hawaiian Style BBQ sauce, egg and seasoning mixture. Using your hands, mix until everything is well combined.

6. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

7. Form the meat mixture into a rectangular meatloaf shape and place it on the prepared cookie sheet.

8. In a small bowl, mix together the remaining 2 tablespoons Hawaiian Style BBQ sauce and 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce.

9. Drizzle the BBQ mixture over the meatloaf and spread it evenly over the top and sides.

10. Bake for 55 minutes. Allow the meatloaf to cool for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

That Hawaiian BBQ Glaze

The glaze is one of my favorite parts of this recipe.

Instead of simply spreading BBQ sauce over the top, I mix it with Worcestershire sauce.

The Worcestershire adds another layer of savory flavor that balances the sweetness of the Hawaiian-style BBQ sauce.

Make sure you spread it over the sides of the meatloaf too. You want some of that glaze with every slice.

What to Serve with Hawaiian BBQ Meatloaf

Because you've already got sweet potato incorporated into the meatloaf, I like pairing this with plenty of vegetables.

Roasted broccoli, green beans, asparagus, Brussels sprouts or sautéed greens would all work well. A fresh crunchy slaw would also be delicious because it gives you a nice contrast to the warm, savory meatloaf.

Great for Meal Prep

Meatloaf is one of those meals that might actually be better the next day.

Make it for dinner and you've already got an easy protein ready for lunch. Slice the leftovers and pair them with roasted vegetables, salad or whatever sides you have available.

That's one reason recipes like this are so useful when you're trying to eat well during a busy week. Cook once and you've already made your next meal easier.

Dr. Stephanie's Tip: When you're trying to eat more whole foods, think about how you can upgrade familiar comfort foods rather than eliminating them.

Meatloaf doesn't need to disappear from the menu.

Changing a few ingredients—like using mashed sweet potato instead of breadcrumbs and choosing a BBQ sauce you enjoy—can give an old recipe an entirely different feel.

Healthy eating works much better when you actually enjoy what's on your plate.

Comfort Food with a Twist

This Hawaiian BBQ Sweet Potato Meatloaf is sweet, savory and satisfying without requiring a complicated list of ingredients.

The mashed sweet potato keeps the meatloaf moist, the herbs add savory flavor, and that final Hawaiian BBQ and Worcestershire glaze ties everything together.

It's familiar enough to feel like comfort food but different enough that it's definitely not your grandmother's meatloaf.

Unless your grandmother was putting sweet potatoes and Hawaiian BBQ sauce in hers.

In that case, she was ahead of her time.

Looking for More Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Recipes?

If you enjoy putting a healthier spin on comfort food, you'll find plenty more recipes in my cookbook, Allergy-Free Tastes Good to Me.

It includes 93 gluten-free and dairy-free recipes designed for real life—because healthier food should still be food you actually look forward to eating.