These ground turkey sloppy Joes are perfect for an everyday weeknight meal, and they’re packed with flavor. You won’t miss the beef in this recipe! I recommend ground turkey thighs or a combination that isn’t overly lean. If the turkey is too lean—100% turkey white meat, for example—you might find the meat mixture a bit tough and dry. Serve the sandwiches as a family meal or take the mixture to a potluck or tailgating event in a slow cooker. It’s a fantastic party food! Kids love sloppy Joes, too, because they taste great and are fun to eat. Add a salad or some fries or chips for a meal the whole family will enjoy.
How did the sloppy Joe get its name?
While the origin isn’t crystal-clear, the name can be traced back to a 1940s Ohio restaurant ad. Unlike neat, easy to eat burgers, the meat mixture is “sloppy,” which is probably how the name came about. There doesn’t seem to be any connection to a person named Joe.
Recipe Variations
- Meat: Replace the ground turkey with ground beef, ground chicken, sausage, or chorizo.
- Lower Carb: Omit the wheat buns and serve the them in lettuce wraps or low carb tortillas or wraps.
- Spices: Add some heat with a dash of cayenne or crushed red pepper.
- Tex-Mex: Add taco seasoning to the meat mixture and extend it with a can of drained black beans. Finish with pepper jack cheese and some pickled jalapeño rings.
- Vegetables: Sauté some mushrooms with the onions and peppers, or add grated carrots and finely chopped celery for additional nutrients.
Other Ways to Serve Turkey Sloppy Joes
- Mac and Cheese: Add a layer of the sloppy Joe mixture to your baked macaroni and cheese.
- Pizza: Spread the mixture over pizza dough, top with cheese and green onions, and bake.
- Nachos: Make nachos! Arrange tortilla chips on a baking sheet and top with the sloppy Joe mixture. Add shredded cheese, bake until hot and the cheese is melted, then add your favorite toppings, such as guacamole, sour cream, green onions, and peppers.
- Tater Tot Casserole: Use the filling to revamp your regular tater tot casserole.
- Sliders: Spread the meat mixture over a horizontally split flat of Hawaiian rolls and add cheese and any toppings you might like. Place the top of the rolls over the mixture and brush with butter and sesame seeds or bagel seasonings. Bake at 350F for about 15 minutes or until hot.
- Enchiladas: Fill tortillas with the sloppy Joe filling, then roll them up and arrange them in a baking dish. Top with enchilada sauce and cheese and bake at 400 F for about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Stuffed Potatoes: Split hot baked potatoes open and top them with a generous scoop of sloppy Joe mixture.
How to Store
- Refrigerate leftovers in airtight container and enjoy within 3 to 4 days.
- To freeze, transfer the cooled mixture to freezer bags or containers. Label with the name and date and freeze for up to 6 months.
Turkey Sloppy Joes
Ground turkey can be just as tasty as beef in these flavorful sloppy Joes!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Sandwiches, Ground Turkey
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2/3 cup water
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar, light or dark
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
For Serving
- 6 split hamburger buns
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese, optional
- 2 cups torn or shredded lettuce, optional
- Dill pickle slices, optional
- Thinly sliced red onion, optional
Instructions
- Cook the Aromatics: Heat the vegetable oil in a large sauté pan or skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and peppers and cook for 4 to 6 minutes or until the onion is translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Cook the Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the pan and cook, stirring, for 4 to 6 minutes or until the turkey is no longer pink.
- Add the Sauce Ingredients: Add the ketchup, barbecue sauce, tomato paste, water, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, and chili powder to the pan and stir to blend. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
- Simmer: Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes or until thickened. Stir occasionally.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Toast the buns, if desired, and add a generous scoop of meat mixture to each one.
- Serve: Add chips, fries, or a salad, and serve various toppings on the side. Enjoy!
