These turkey sloppy joes are just like the classic version but healthier! Made with ground turkey, bell pepper and a homemade sloppy joe sauce, they are an easy weeknight dinner.
30-Minute Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe
This turkey sloppy joe recipe is a lighter, healthier version than classic sloppy joes because we’re swapping beef for lean ground poultry. This easy ground turkey recipe comes together in 30 minutes including a homemade sloppy joe sauce!
Turkey Janes are a meaty saucy combination of sweet and tangy flavors without adding any extra sugar. Just a combination of BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, which is very similar to meatloaf sauce.
Other comforting 30 minute meals we love include meatloaf muffins, frito pie and this easy spaghetti recipe.
Ingredient Notes
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Ground turkey: This is lean meat that won’t produce much of its own grease, which is what makes it a less fatty option than ground beef. It’s also pretty mild in flavor so it relies heavily on the rest of the ingredients! Swap for ground chicken if desired.
- Onion, garlic & red bell pepper: Chopped onion, chopped bell pepper, and minced garlic are cooked with the meat giving it oodles of flavor. I prefer using red bell pepper because they’re the sweetest, but if you want to use an orange or yellow pepper, you can. Green pepper is more savory, but could be used, too.
- For the sauce: This is a combination of barbecue sauce, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce to give it sweet, savory, and smoky notes.
- Hamburger buns: If you have a bit of extra time, I’ve got a fantastic recipe for homemade hamburger buns.
How to Make Turkey Sloppy Joes
Add the turkey to a large skillet and cook over medium heat along with the onion, and bell pepper until no longer pick. Break it up into crumbles using a wooden spoon as it cooks. For the last minute of cooking time, add the garlic. Drain any excess fat.
Pour in the ketchup, BBQ sauce, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine and season with salt and pepper.
Cover with a tight-fitting lid and reduce the heat to simmer on low for 10-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened. Add a bit more ketchup or water if it starts to dry out.
Add your sloppy Joe with turkey onto hamburger buns and enjoy!
Tips and Variations
- Drain the fat. Turkey won’t produce much excess grease, so an easy way to get rid of it is to move all the meat to one side of the pan. Tilt it slightly so the grease pools on one side and use paper towels to absorb the fat.
- Avoid soggy bread. Toast the buns first. Spread 1-2 Tablespoons of butter on each half of the bun then cook for 1-3 minutes on a griddle, butter side down.
- Slow cooker: Brown ground turkey, onion and pepper. Add to a crockpot along with remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours or high for 6 hours.
- Use a bit of brown sugar for added sweetness. This is especially great when using tomatoes, tomato sauce, or tomato paste instead of ketchup.
- Vinegar: Some people like to add a splash of vinegar for the tang.
- Additional seasoning: Add some paprika or smoked paprika for a little smoky zest.
- For some heat: Add some cayenne pepper, chili powder or substitute the sweet pepper for a jalapeno.
Serving Suggestions
- Lettuce, cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, sliced jalapenos and sliced pickles all make amazing toppings on ground turkey sloppy Joes.
- Keep it simple with a tossed salad or sliced veggies and dip.
- Potato chips are always a fun idea, as are homemade french fries and baked sweet potato fries.
Storing
- Storing: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: You can also freeze it, which is very helpful when you’ve doubled the batch! Keep it frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight then reheat in a saucepan on the stove.
Need more recipes for ground turkey? Try our turkey meatloaf, egg roll in a bowl or healthy turkey chili this week!
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Turkey Sloppy Joes
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- ⅓ cup chopped onion
- ⅓ cup chopped red bell pepper
- Salt , to taste
- Ground black pepper , to taste
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce , more to taste
- 6 hamburger buns , for serving
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook one pound ground turkey, 1/3 cup chopped onion, and 1/3 cup chopped red pepper over medium heat until lightly browned. Season with salt and pepper. Add 2 teaspoons minced garlic the last minute of cooking. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup BBQ sauce, 1 teaspoon mustard, and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and black pepper. Cover and reduce heat to low.
- Simmer 10 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened but not too dry. Add more ketchup or 1 to 3 Tablespoons water, if more liquid is needed.
- Spoon into hamburger buns to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 30 Minute Meals, 30 Minute Meals, American, Dinner, Freezer-Friendly, Freezer-Friendly, Gluten-Free, One Pot, Sandwiches, Stovetop
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
This is lunch! Such an easy recipe to follow! Going to try to make it in a slow-cooker next time and have it for dinner!