Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes are a weeknight dinner game-changer, offering a lighter, protein-packed take on a classic comfort food. This recipe simplifies delicious weeknight meals by providing a wholesome and satisfying option that the whole family will adore.
Key Ingredients for Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound lean ground turkey (93% lean or leaner)
- 1 (15 ounce) can no-salt-added tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup (low sodium, no sugar added if possible)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
- 4 whole wheat hamburger buns
- Optional toppings: sliced pickles, diced red onion, avocado slices, shredded lettuce
How to Make Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes:
Whip up these delightful Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes featuring a vibrant symphony of flavors and textures in just about 30 minutes. This dish boasts a wonderfully tender texture, a rich and savory sauce, and the incredible satisfaction of a homemade classic, all without the heavy, greasy feel of traditional versions.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and green bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Brown the Turkey: Add the lean ground turkey to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook, stirring, until browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess fat.
- Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the no-salt-added tomato sauce, low-sodium ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Thicken and Flavor: Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the sloppy joes simmer for at least 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken. For an even richer flavor, you can simmer for longer.
- Toast Buns: While the sloppy joes are simmering, lightly toast your whole wheat hamburger buns. You can do this in a toaster, under the broiler, or in a dry skillet.
- Serve: Spoon generous portions of the Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes mixture into the toasted hamburger buns. Top with your favorite optional toppings, such as sliced pickles, diced red onion, avocado slices, or shredded lettuce, and enjoy immediately.
Why You’ll Love This Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes:
You’ll absolutely adore these Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes for their incredibly light yet deeply satisfying flavor profile. Unlike the heavier, often greasy versions, this recipe uses lean ground turkey for a protein boost that will keep you feeling full without the bloat. Plus, the simple yet robust seasoning blend, featuring smoked paprika and Dijon, creates a taste that’s miles beyond your average pantry staple, making it a budget-friendly way to enjoy comfort food.
The best part? These come together in a flash, perfect for those busy weeknights when you crave a hearty meal but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. So, ditch the store-bought, often sugary, versions and give these homemade Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes a try – your taste buds and your wallet will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
Leftovers of your delicious Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes are a treasure! Store the cooked sloppy joe mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The buns should be stored separately and will keep at room temperature for 1-2 days or can be refrigerated as well.
To reheat, you can gently warm the sloppy joe mixture on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Alternatively, you can microwave individual portions. If the mixture seems a little dry after refrigeration, stir in a tablespoon or two of water or broth. To freeze, portion the cooked sloppy joe mixture into freezer-safe containers or bags. It will remain good in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Final Thoughts:
These Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes prove that comfort food can be both delicious and good for you. They are a fantastic, easy recipe to add to your weeknight rotation. Give them a try; you might just find your new favorite go-to meal!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and green bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.1 tablespoon Olive oil, 1 medium Yellow onion, 1 Green bell pepper, 2 cloves Garlic
- Add the lean ground turkey to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook, stirring, until browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess fat.1 pound Lean ground turkey
- Stir in the no-salt-added tomato sauce, low-sodium ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the mixture to a simmer.1 (15 ounce) can No-salt-added tomato sauce, 1/4 cup Ketchup, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon Smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper, pinch Red pepper flakes
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the sloppy joes simmer for at least 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken. For an even richer flavor, you can simmer for longer.
- While the sloppy joes are simmering, lightly toast your whole wheat hamburger buns. You can do this in a toaster, under the broiler, or in a dry skillet.4 Whole wheat hamburger buns
- Spoon generous portions of the Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes mixture into the toasted hamburger buns. Top with your favorite optional toppings, such as sliced pickles, diced red onion, avocado slices, or shredded lettuce, and enjoy immediately.