Description
Delicious and easy Turkey Sloppy Joes made with lean ground turkey and a flavorful, healthy sauce. This one-skillet recipe features sautéed onions and bell peppers simmered in a tangy tomato-based sauce, perfect served on toasted hamburger buns. A family-friendly meal ideal for a quick dinner that kids and adults will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 large green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon oil (for frying)
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 14 ounces can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or liquid aminos for gluten-free option)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
To Serve
- 6 hamburger buns, sliced in half and toasted if desired
- Sliced onions, pickles, jalapenos (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat and swirl in the oil to coat the surface. Add the finely chopped onion and green bell pepper. Sauté for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally until the vegetables soften.
- Cook the turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet with the vegetables. Cook for approximately 5 minutes, continuously breaking the turkey into small pieces with a spatula and stirring to ensure even browning.
- Make the sauce and simmer: Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar (or maple syrup/honey), white vinegar, yellow mustard, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly. Cover the skillet with a lid, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 20 minutes to develop flavor.
- Final stir and serve: Turn off the heat and give the mixture a final stir. Spoon the turkey sloppy joe filling onto the sliced and toasted hamburger buns. Add optional toppings like sliced onions, pickles, or jalapenos if desired. Serve immediately with a side such as coleslaw for a complete meal.
Notes
- This recipe uses lean ground turkey, making it a healthier twist on classic sloppy joes.
- Cooking the sauce in one skillet simplifies cleanup and enhances flavors.
- Perfect for a quick family-friendly meal served on buns or over potatoes.
- Customize toppings like jalapenos and pickles according to your taste preferences.
- Can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free soy sauce or liquid aminos and gluten-free buns.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 sandwiches
- Calories: 412 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 657 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.02 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 62 mg
