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Home ยป 30 Minute Meals ยป Easy Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe

Easy Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe

Published: Dec 3, 2022 ยท Modified: Oct 30, 2024 by Ryan Allen ยท This post may contain affiliate links ยท 14 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, Sloppy Joe tater tot casserole, Meatloaf, or our Teriyaki Chicken, and you can top it off with our favorite dessert, Jello Poke Cake.

Ground turkey sloppy Joes on a piece of parchment paper with fries in the background.

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 Youโ€™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 Youโ€™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!

The four steps on how to make ground turkey sloppy Joes

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.
Overhead look at a sloppy joe made with ground turkey on a sesame seed bun

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.

Two sloppy joes made with ground turkey on parcment paper with more in a skillet

More Easy Dinner Ideas

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

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Healthy turkey sloppy Joes on a piece of parchment paper

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 9 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
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

Equipment

  • My Favorite Skillet

Ingredients
  

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

Sauce

  • 8 oz tomato sauce
  • ยพ cup Ketchup
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1ยฝ tbsp yellow mustard
  • ยผ tsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • ยฝ tsp salt
  • ยฝ tsp onion powder
  • ยฝ 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

    5 from 9 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating





  1. Nathan

    December 08, 2022 at 12:47 pm

    5 stars
    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

      December 08, 2022 at 1:25 pm

      It definitely is a great alternative for ground beef.

      Reply
  2. Charles

    December 08, 2022 at 1:08 pm

    5 stars
    Your Healthy Sloppy Joes are awesome and I'll be making them tomorrow night! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Ryan Allen

      December 08, 2022 at 1:26 pm

      Thank you! Hope you enjoy them.

      Reply
  3. Tayler Ross

    December 08, 2022 at 2:06 pm

    5 stars
    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

      December 08, 2022 at 7:12 pm

      I am so glad you liked them.

      Reply
  4. Tara

    December 08, 2022 at 7:26 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious and healthy! I loved sloppy joes as a kid. This recipe was exactly what I was craving!

    Reply
    • Ryan Allen

      December 09, 2022 at 10:29 am

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

      Reply
  5. Beth

    October 20, 2023 at 3:31 pm

    5 stars
    Made this tonight and it was so delicious

    Reply
  6. Nicole

    January 09, 2024 at 4:46 am

    5 stars
    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. ๐Ÿ™‚ 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
  7. Debra

    October 22, 2024 at 6:24 pm

    My family loves this recipe! I baked a whole head of cauliflower with herb seasoning served with fresh soft mozzarella!

    Reply
    • Ryan Allen

      October 28, 2024 at 6:43 pm

      Thank you! It is one our go to recipes for busy weeks.

      Reply
  8. Nicole

    January 31, 2025 at 3:08 pm

    5 stars
    Love this dish! We make it all the time.

    Reply
    • Ryan Allen

      February 04, 2025 at 3:48 pm

      Thatโ€™s awesome! So glad you love it!

      Reply

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