Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes
This Ground Turkey Sloppy Joe is the kind of meal that saves you on those busy nights when everyone’s hungry and you just need dinner on the table fast. It’s saucy, sweet, and a little tangy — made lighter with turkey instead of beef but still full of flavor. My three teens love it, and I love that it’s quick, easy, and leaves almost no mess. Perfect for weeknights or lazy weekends when you just need something simple and yummy.
Servings 4
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup onion chopped
- ½ cup bell pepper chopped red or green works fine
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce use halal if needed
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Burger buns or rolls, for serving
Optional add-ins:
- shredded carrots, zucchini, or even a sprinkle of cheese on top.
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a big skillet over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook until it’s no longer pink, breaking it apart with a spoon.
- Toss in the onions, bell peppers, and garlic. Stir and cook for 3–4 minutes until everything gets soft and smells good.
- Add the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together and let it simmer for 8–10 minutes until thick and saucy.
- Scoop the mix on toasted burger buns or soft rolls. It’s messy in the best way possible. Add a slice of cheese on top if you want extra flavor.
Notes
Tips
- Make it ahead: The filling keeps in the fridge up to 4 days. Just reheat when needed.
- Freeze it: Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat on busy nights.
- Keep the buns separate: Always store the filling and buns apart to stop sogginess.
- Add more flavor: Stir in a spoon of BBQ sauce for a smoky twist or hot sauce if you like spice.
- Sneaky veggie hack: Mix in shredded carrots or zucchini for extra goodness. Kids will never know.
Variations
- Spicy Version: Add diced jalapeños or red chili flakes to the sauce.
- Cheesy Version: Mix in shredded cheddar or top each bun with melted cheese.
- Healthy Twist: Use whole wheat buns or serve the filling over brown rice or lettuce wraps.
- BBQ Style: Swap ketchup for BBQ sauce for that smoky, backyard flavor.
- Taco Style: Use taco seasoning instead of chili powder and serve in tortillas for a fun twist.