Create a lighter version of a family favorite—they probably won’t even notice you swapped the ground beef for ground turkey!
Anytime I can make a family favorite healthier, I will. That’s what interested me about this turkey sloppy joes recipe. Ground turkey is lower in fat and calories than ground beef—and when you pair it with a rich, tasty tomatoey sauce, you get a win-win all around. Your family gets to enjoy the slightly sweet yet utterly savory flavors of this classic dish, and you get to feel good about serving them a lighter meal.
This meal comes together in just over half an hour, bringing dinner to the table in no time at all. Plus, everything cooks in one skillet, so cleanup is also a breeze. Let’s face it—no one wants to spend an hour cleaning up after dinner. I’m sure you have much better things to do with your time than washing dishes. I know I do.
One of the reasons I like making sloppy joes from scratch is that I get to control the ingredients. This recipe gives you the basics, but you can adjust the seasonings to your liking, add more veggies into the mix, or personalize the dish by skipping the store-bought jars and using homemade Mustard Barbecue Sauce or Bourbon BBQ Sauce! Whether it’s for a family picnic, a holiday party, or a fun weeknight dinner, your family will ask for turkey sloppy joes again and again!
Other great ways to enjoy turkey sloppy joe sauce
Did you know that you can enjoy the sloppy joe sauce without the bun? There’s a whole world of sloppy joe delivery systems out there just waiting to take the place of those ho-hum buns! Why not replace the buns with tortillas or flatbread, for example? Add some shredded cheddar cheese and you’ll have a delicious variation the whole family will love. Pairing it with fries or a baked potato is equally tempting. And if I’m watching my carbs, I’ll even stuff the sauce into lettuce leaves or use it into a taco salad!
How do I store leftovers?
Allow leftover turkey sloppy joes to cool slightly before storing, but don’t let it sit at room temp for more than 2 hours. Store the meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze leftovers in freezer-safe zippered bags or containers for up to 3 months. Thaw the frozen sloppy joes overnight in the refrigerator before reheating over low heat on the stovetop. If the mixture becomes too thick, add a small amount of water while reheating.
Serving suggestions
Turkey sloppy joes pair beautifully with cold side dishes, such as Gluten-Free Potato Salad, Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad, or Greek Yogurt Coleslaw. By the way, if you’ve never added coleslaw to your sloppy joe sandwich, you have no idea what you’re missing. That sweet and savory taste, along with the added crunch, kicks the flavor up a few notches, not to mention totally enhances the mess factor. This delicious Berry Salad is another great accompaniment to your sandwiches. Since you’re already enjoying a messy meal, finish it off with these bright and citrusy Lemon Coolers Cookies, topped with their powdery sugar. They are truly finger-licking good.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 bell pepper diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon celery seed
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper optional, for heat
- 4 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion softens and the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Cook while breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon until it is no longer pink, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
- Stir in the ketchup, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, celery seed, chili powder, water, and a pinch of cayenne pepper if using. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then lower the heat and let it cook until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.
- Spoon the turkey mixture onto the hamburger buns and serve immediately.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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