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Home » 30 Minute Meals » Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes

Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes

December 3, 2022 by Ryan Allen 8 Comments

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Lighten up your sloppy joe game by making Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes! This twist on the traditional sandwich is high in protein, lower in fat, and great as a main course to your favorite healthy side dishes!

Healthy turkey sloppy Joes on a piece of parchment paper

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 compliment 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 properly season the sauce and bring out a smoky, savory flavor.

How To Make Sloppy Joes With Ground Turkey

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 an additional 4-5 minutes or until the vegetables begin to 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 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 that the flavors have a chance to meld together properly.
  • Draining any excess grease is important because you don't want your sloppy joes to be, well, 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 of a kick, try adding 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.
  • You can use crumbled tofu or tempeh instead of ground turkey for a vegetarian option.
  • 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 personal favorite, you can absolutely 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 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

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Healthy turkey sloppy Joes on a piece of parchment paper

Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes

Lighten up your sloppy joe game by making Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes! This twist on the traditional sandwich is high in protein, lower in fat, and great as a main course to your favorite healthy side dishes!
5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 139 kcal

Equipment

  • My Favorite Skillet

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • ⅓ tsp green bell pepper (seeded and diced)
  • ½ tsp yellow onion (diced)
  • 1 tsp garlic Minced
  • hamburger buns

Sauce

  • 8 oz tomato sauce
  • ¾ cup Ketchup
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1½ 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 Turkey Sloppy Joes
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

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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

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We are Ryan and Shanna, the creators of The Cooking Duo.

As food bloggers, photographers, and recipe developers, we are passionate about sharing simple, delicious recipes that make it easy to provide real food for your family. As parents ourselves, we know firsthand how challenging it can be to prepare a wholesome meal after a busy day. That's why we are committed to offering accessible, seasonal, and mostly healthy ingredients in our family's favorite recipes. We're excited to share our culinary journey with you!

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