Easy Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe (2024)

by Ryan Allen 10 Comments

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Upgrade your sloppy Joe game with the Best Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes! This healthy twist on the classic sandwich brings rich flavor and is high in protein and lower in fat. Plus, it's easy to whip up, making it an easy and delicious family-friendly dinner to complement your favorite side dishes!

We're into recipes with easy ingredients, and these are a few of our favorite weeknight dinner recipes. Baked Mac and Cheese, Meatloaf, or our Teriyaki Chicken, and you can top it off with our favorite dessert, Jello Poke Cake.

Easy Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe (1)

Sloppy joes are a type of sandwich made with ground beef, onions, tomato sauce or ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and other seasonings. The mixture is simmered until it is thick and sloppy, then spooned onto hamburger buns.

This American classic sandwich can be made in many different ways, including using ground turkey instead of beef! Ground turkey is a lightened-up version because it's lower in fat. This makes it a healthier option and great for those looking to cut down on calories while keeping the delicious flavor intact.

Making sloppy joes with ground turkey is easy and just as delicious as the original! Serve them with a sandwich bun, or use it to top a salad or bed of rice.

No matter how you enjoy them, we're sure this will be one of your go-to ground turkey recipes!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Great for those who are looking for lighter calorie options.
  • The ingredients are simple and can be found at any grocery store.
  • Ground turkey is a budget-friendly meat option.
  • You can serve turkey sloppy joes in a variety of different ways.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Ground Turkey - You can use lean ground turkey or one with a higher fat content, depending on your personal preference.
  • Green Bell Pepper - Adds fresh garden taste to the meat mixture and texture.
  • Garlic and Onion - Both complement the natural flavor of turkey.
  • Hamburger Buns - Used to scoop the meat mixture onto the bread to eat as a hearty sandwich.

Sloppy Joe Sauce

  • Tomato Sauce & Ketchup - Gives the sloppy joe sauce a rich tomato flavor along with a touch of natural sweetness.
  • Brown Sugar - The deep flavor of brown sugar also adds sweetness to compliment the smoky and salty flavors.
  • Yellow Mustard - Adds a tangy, acidic note to the sauce that pairs well with the rest of the ingredients.
  • Worchestershire Sauce - Gives the sauce a salty umami flavor that brings everything together.
  • Seasonings - A mix of chili powder, ground black pepper, salt, onion powder, and paprika work together to season the sauce properly and bring out a smoky, savory flavor.

How To Make Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes

Cook the ground turkey: Add the ground turkey to a skillet and turn the heat to medium-high. Using a spatula, break up the meat as it cooks until browned. This should take about 6-8 minutes.

Add the vegetables: Mince the garlic and dice the bell pepper and onion. Add them to the skillet and cook for another 4-5 minutes or until the vegetables soften. Drain off the excess grease.

Assemble the sloppy joe sauce: Add the sauce ingredients into the skillet with the meat and vegetables. Stir to combine and simmer for 6-8 minutes.

Assemble sandwiches: Ladle the meat mixture onto hamburger buns while hot. Enjoy!

Easy Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe (2)

Recipe Tips

  • Chop the peppers and onions roughly the same size to ensure that they cook evenly.
  • Make sure to simmer the sloppy joe sauce long enough so the flavors can meld together properly.
  • Draining any excess grease is important because you don't want your sloppy joes to be too sloppy or greasy!
  • Because there is sugar in the sauce, you want to make sure you keep the heat on low while simmering to prevent the sauce from burning.

Variations

You can change up this turkey sloppy joe recipe in many ways to make it your own!

  • If you want a bit more kick, add some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
  • Not a fan of green bell peppers? Leave them out or substitute them with a different type of pepper, like red, yellow, or orange.
  • Looking for more vegetables? Try adding some shredded carrot or zucchini to the sloppy joe mixture.
  • For a vegetarian option, you can use crumbled tofu or tempeh instead of ground turkey.
  • Serving suggestions: Serve sloppy joes on a whole wheat bun, lettuce wrap, or over a bed of rice or quinoa. Pair them with a green salad, roasted vegetables, or sweet potato fries.
Easy Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe (3)

Storing & Freezing

Storing: Leftover sloppy joes taste even better the next day! Once cooled, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezing: Turkey sloppy joes freeze well, too! Place leftovers in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat, thaw the sloppy joes overnight in the fridge, then reheat them on the stove over low heat until warmed through.

FAQ

Can I use a different type of ground meat?

While turkey sloppy joes are my favorite, you can use a different type of ground meat. Lean ground beef, chicken, or pork would all work well in this recipe.

Is it best to use lean ground turkey for this recipe?

This depends on your personal preference. If you want a leaner sloppy joe, then use lean ground turkey. If you're looking for more flavor, then go for ground turkey, which has a higher fat content.

Can I make sloppy joes ahead of time?

Yes! Sloppy joes actually taste even better the next day as all of the flavors have a chance to meld together. Simply store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days and reheat them when you're ready to eat.

Easy Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe (4)

More Easy Dinner Ideas

  • Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
  • Honey Teriyaki Chicken
  • Grilled Teriyaki Chicken
  • Easy Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry

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Easy Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe (5)

Easy Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe

Upgrade your sloppy Joe game with the Best Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes! This healthy twist on the classic sandwich brings rich flavor and is high in protein and lower in fat. Plus, it's easy to whip up, making it an easy and delicious family friendly dinner to complement your favorite side dishes!

5 from 7 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 139 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • cup green bell pepper (seeded and diced)
  • ½ cup yellow onion (diced)
  • 1 tsp garlic Minced
  • hamburger buns

Sauce

  • 8 oz tomato sauce
  • ¾ cup Ketchup
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • tbsp yellow mustard
  • ¼ tsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp paprika

Instructions

  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground turkey to the skillet. Cook for 6-8 minutes or until browned, breaking up the ground turkey with a spatula.

  • Add onions and green peppers and cook for 4-5 minutes or until they become soft.

  • Drain off excess grease.

  • Add sauce ingredients and simmer uncovered for 6-8 minutes or until the sauce thickens.

  • Serve on your favorite buns, and enjoy.

Notes

*Hamburger buns are not calculated in nutritional value.

To enjoy your sloppy joes, try serving them on a whole wheat bun or a lettuce wrap for a healthier option. You can also serve them over a bed of rice or quinoa to add some extra nutrition. For sides, consider pairing them with a green salad, roasted vegetables, or sweet potato fries to create a balanced and satisfying meal.

Nutrition

Calories: 139kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 19gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 764mgPotassium: 465mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 451IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg

*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.

Keyword Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes, Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes, Turkey Sloppy Joes

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. Nathan

    Easy Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe (10)
    I'm having a craving for these Sloppy Joes now! Love that they're healthier with the turkey instead of ground beef. Adding this to my list for dinner next week!

    Reply

    • Ryan Allen

      It definitely is a great alternative for ground beef.

      Reply

  2. Charles

    Easy Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe (11)
    Your Healthy Sloppy Joes are awesome and I'll be making them tomorrow night! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • Ryan Allen

      Thank you! Hope you enjoy them.

      Reply

  3. Tayler Ross

    Easy Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe (12)
    I made these sloppy joes for dinner last night and my family loved them! You wouldn't even know they were "healthy!"

    Reply

    • Ryan Allen

      I am so glad you liked them.

      Reply

  4. Tara

    Easy Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe (13)
    Delicious and healthy! I loved sloppy joes as a kid. This recipe was exactly what I was craving!

    Reply

    • Ryan Allen

      Thanks! I hope it was as good as you remembered.

      Reply

  5. Beth

    Easy Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe (14)
    Made this tonight and it was so delicious

    Reply

  6. Nicole

    Easy Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe (15)
    My picky eaters ate this up! I tripled the recipe to freeze some for later. I also sauteed the bell peppers and onions before browning the turkey to soften them more & hide them better in the sloppy joe mix. 🙂 My 8 year old complained it was a little spicy, so I plan on cutting back on the black pepper next time. This one will be printed and put in my recipe binder. Thank you for such a great recipe!

    Reply

Easy Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to ground turkey to make it taste better? ›

Chopped yellow onions, scallions, cilantro, and red bell pepper all help add flavor. So too does the chili powder and minced garlic.

What can I add to sloppy joe to make it taste better? ›

Try serving your sloppy joes with their own toppings such as slaw, melty cheese, grilled pineapple, or Hatch green chile. Even just adding a pickle gives extra flavor and crunch, transforming it from a bland sandwich into something great, like the recipe below!

What's the difference between a sloppy joe and a sloppy Jane? ›

If you're aiming to eat a lower-fat diet, then consider fixing yourself a sloppy jane. This variant on the sloppy joe swaps out regular ground beef for leaner beef. It also places a higher focus on vegetables and other low-calorie ingredients.

What is the sloppy joe sauce made of? ›

What is the sloppy joe sauce made of? It's made with ketchup, brown sugar, tomato paste, Worcestershire, chili powder, garlic, dry mustard, and a little Tobasco (if you want). That sauce coats the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper to make the filling.

How to jazz up ground turkey? ›

There are plenty of easy ground turkey recipes out there. But, you will always need spices like olive oil, kosher salt and pepper, chili powder, and garlic powder. You can add minced garlic, and freshly chopped onions and peppers, for an extra edge. In fact, the secret ingredient is water.

What is good seasoning for ground turkey? ›

Add 4 teaspoons chili powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, 1 large pinch crushed red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper to small mixing bowl. Stir spices together until well blended.

How to doctor up canned sloppy joe mix? ›

In addition to sweetness, the diced Gala apple also contributes some textural variety to the recipe.
  1. Spice Your Sloppy Joe Up With Chile Flakes Or Canned Chiles. ...
  2. Sneak Extra Veggies Into Your Sloppy Joes. ...
  3. Throw In Some Liquid Smoke. ...
  4. Deglaze Your Sloppy Joes With Beer. ...
  5. Add Salsa To The Mix.
Feb 28, 2024

How do you thicken runny sloppy joes? ›

  1. Flour can be used similar to corn starch.
  2. Other thickeners used are bread crumbs, potato flakes and oats. ...
  3. Go gradually with these. ...
  4. Use oats to thicken sloppy-joes as to absorb the excess but it will be thicker the next day.
  5. Barley can be used but is more expensive.
Oct 29, 2021

What's the difference between sloppy joe and Manwich? ›

Sloppy Joes are the sandwich, while Manwich is the store-bought canned sloppy joe sauce, produced by ConAgra Foods and Hunt's. What is this? While the brand markets this product as a quick and easy one-pan meal, I strongly recommend you make the sauce from scratch.

What is a fancy name for a sloppy joe? ›

Manwich, slush burger, yum yums, dynamite, spoonburgers, tavern sandwich; a Sloppy Joe can be called by many other names. The most well-known however is Manwich.

What is the New Jersey version of sloppy joe? ›

There are minor variations depending on the deli, but it is always a double-decker thin sliced rye bread sandwich made with one or more types of sliced deli meat, such as turkey, ham, pastrami, corned beef, roast beef, or sliced beef tongue, along with Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian dressing.

What's the difference between a sloppy joe and a sloppy otto sandwich? ›

Instead of ground beef, the sloppy otto calls for minced spicy sausage as its meat. The pork sausage is mixed with onion, green and yellow sweet peppers, and topped off with cheese. This gives the sandwich a cheesy tang and a vastly different mouthfeel compared to the saucy sweetness of the tomato-based sloppy joe.

How to spruce up sloppy joes? ›

Spices: Dress up your sloppy joes with garlic powder, onion powder, or any other flavors you love. If you want heat, throw in a tbsp of ancho chili powder, a tsp of ground cumin, or a half teaspoon of chipotle powder. Or, splash on your favorite hot sauce. Season with kosher salt to taste.

What can I use in place of tomato sauce for sloppy joes? ›

Making sloppy joe sauce, like Manwich, from scratch involves a blend of tomato sauce, ketchup, onion, green pepper, and spices. In place of tomato sauce, I use tomato puree to make it a thick sauce that really clings to the meat.

How can I improve my turkey flavor? ›

Never pass up the opportunity to add flavor to turkey by stuffing the cavity with a simple aromatics mix. Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage along with a half lemon go a long way to add flavor, and stuffing it into the bird takes almost no time at all.

How do you make ground turkey not bland? ›

personally i like to add half a packet of onion soup mix, half a packet of ranch dressing mix, 2 tablespoons of low sodium soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and 1/2 teaspoon of msg per pound of ground turkey. if you can find a good szechuan sauce that also makes the turkey flavorful.

What can I put in the turkey for best flavor? ›

Instead of filling your bird with stuffing, fill it with aromatics. (News flash: Cooking stuffing inside a turkey can be dangerous.) The basics, like onion, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and sage, help lend that traditional Thanksgiving flavor. Take your aromatics up a notch by adding halved lemons or oranges.

How to season a turkey really good? ›

There are two main ways you can season a turkey.
  1. Dry brine: Combine salt, pepper, dried herbs, and spices and rub the mixture under the turkey skin, inside the cavity, and then over the skin. ...
  2. Compound better: Combine butter, salt, pepper, fresh chopped herbs, citrus zest, and other flavorings.
Nov 3, 2023

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