Craving comfort food but want something healthy? Turkey Sloppy Joes (aka Joe’s healthier sister Sloppy Janes) are your answer! This recipe delivers everything you love about the original dish – that satisfying combination of sweet and tangy sauce clinging to tender ground meat – in a healthier package. Prepared with an easy homemade sauce, it’s packed with rich flavor and comes together quickly for busy weeknights or make-ahead meal prep. After several rounds of testing, I finally found the perfect balance of flavors and textures, making these Sloppy Janes not just healthy, but incredibly tasty too!
What Sets This Recipe For Turkey Sloppy Joes Apart
This recipe takes your childhood Sloppy Joe memories and gives them a healthy upgrade! I’ve perfected the balance of sweet and tangy, ensuring moist turkey and rich tomato flavor, all through meticulous testing to find the ideal method and mix of ingredients for maximum deliciousness. So, what makes these Sloppy Janes extra special?
- Perfectly balanced flavor. Countless rounds of testing went into creating a sauce that’s both sweet and tangy, without being dominated by any single ingredient.
- Moist ground turkey. Swapping out ground beef for turkey can result in a dry mixture. After testing various levels of ground turkey leanness, as well as different methods of cooking, this recipe ensures your Sloppy Janes are packed with moisture.
- Just the right tomato flavor. Diced tomatoes and tomato paste deliver a depth of flavor, without the sweetness of tomato sauce or ketchup.
- Quick and easy. Weeknight dinner win! This recipe comes together fast and in one pan, making it perfect for busy schedules.
- Meal prep friendly. Sloppy Janes can be made ahead and either refrigerated or frozen.
Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create these delicious, messy-to-eat sandwiches (quantities are in the recipe card below):
Sloppy Joe filling:
- Ground turkey (90% lean) – I tried this recipe with 85%, 90%, and 99% lean ground turkey, and around 90% was the best in terms of moistness and flavor
- Yellow onion
- Large red bell pepper (can also use green pepper), optional – the pepper adds a nice layer of flavor, but tested without was also delicious
- Kosher salt
- Garlic cloves
- Light brown sugar
- Chili powder
- Ground cinnamon – a subtle addition that adds depth and balances the sweetness
- Tomato paste
- Yellow mustard
- Worcestershire sauce
- Fresh or canned diced tomatoes
- Beer – all of the alcohol will be cooked off when preparing the filling, but if you prefer you can substitute the juice from the canned tomatoes (or water)
- Red wine vinegar
- Fresh ground pepper
To serve:
- Hamburger buns
- Melted butter (to brush the buns before toasting)
- Toppings: Cheddar cheese, red onion, jalapeno pepper, lettuce, dill pickle
How to Make Sloppy Joes with Ground Turkey
And here’s all you have to do to create these crowd-pleasing Sloppy Joes:
- Brown turkey.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat cook brown turkey just until no longer pink.
- Add vegetables.
Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic; lightly season the mixture with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft, 3 to 4 minutes. - Add sugar, spices, and tomato paste.
Stir in sugar, chili powder, cinnamon, then tomato paste. Cook, stirring constantly, for 3 to 4 minutes. - Add mustard, Worcestershire sauce, tomatoes, and beer.
Stir in mustard, Worcestershire sauce, then diced tomatoes and beer. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the mixture thickens. - Add vinegar, salt, and pepper.
Add vinegar and season to taste with salt and pepper. Place over low heat to keep warm. - Toast buns; serve.
Lightly brush the insides of the hamburger buns with melted butter and toast. Fill with Sloppy Jane mixture and serve with toppings on the side.
Tips for Making the Perfect Turkey Sloppy Joes
To ensure your turkey Sloppy Joes turn out perfect every time, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Choose the right ground turkey. Opt for ground turkey that is around 90 to 93% lean. I found this level to deliver the best results in terms of flavor and moistness.
- Season the turkey and vegetables when sautéing. Add salt draws out the natural flavors of the ingredients, making them taste brighter and more intense.
- Layer in the ingredients in the order given. Adding the ingredients in a certain order allows the flavors to be gradually incorporated, adding depth and balance to the final mixture.
- Brush hamburger buns with butter and lightly toast. Who wants a delicious hot filling on a cold bun? And, brushing the inside of the buns with butter before toasting helps them crisp up, adds still more flavor, and keeps the bread moist.
Variations and Additions to Personalize Your Turkey Sloppy Joes
While this Turkey Sloppy Joe recipe is delicious as is, feel free to get creative and make it your own. Here are a few suggestions:
- Add chopped jalapeno or serrano peppers, or your favorite hot sauce to the turkey mixture.
- Add more chopped vegetables – carrots, zucchini, or mushrooms can be sautéed along with the onions and peppers.
- The alcohol in the beer will cook off; you can also use nonalcoholic beer, water, or the tomato juice from the canned diced tomatoes.
Serving Suggestions and Side Dishes
As mentioned above, I like to serve these Turkey Sloppy Joes on toasted hamburger buns with various toppings on the side, including:
- Sliced Cheddar or American cheese
- Sliced red onion
- Sliced jalapeno peppers (seeds removed unless you like spice!)
- Lettuce leaves
- Sliced dill pickles
Here are some side dishes that pair well with these Sloppy Janes:
- Lemon Mayonnaise Coleslaw Recipe
- Dorothy’s Potato Salad
- Orzo Pasta Greek Salad with Lemon-Basil Dressing
- Grilled Corn Salad Recipe with Zucchini and Tomato
- Best Broccoli Salad Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage for Turkey Sloppy Joes
If you are making the Sloppy Jane mixture ahead of time, or have leftovers, let it cool, then place it in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will last for up to 4 days. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
To reheat, place the mixture in a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if it has thickened in the refrigerator.
FAQs About Turkey Sloppy Joes
Yes you can use ground chicken. Just opt for a mixture that is around 90% lean (or 10% fat).
If your sloppy joe mixture is too runny, in a small bowl whisk together 1 tablespoon water and 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch. Add this slurry to the sauce and cook, stirring constantly, until it thickens.
Yes, you can serve the Sloppy Jane mixture atop a baked potato or French fries for a bread-free alternative.
Turkey Sloppy Joes – a.k.a. Sloppy Janes
Craving comfort food but want something healthy? Turkey Sloppy Joes (aka Joe’s healthier sister Sloppy Janes) are your answer! This recipe delivers everything you love about the original dish – that satisfying combination of sweet and tangy sauce clinging to tender ground meat – in a healthier package. Prepared with an easy homemade sauce, it’s packed with rich flavor and comes together quickly for busy weeknights or make-ahead meal prep. After several rounds of testing, I finally found the perfect balance of flavors and textures, making these Sloppy Janes not just healthy, but incredibly tasty too!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Sloppy Joe Filling
- 1 pound ground turkey (90 to 93% lean)
- 1/2 large yellow onion, chopped
- 1/2 large red bell pepper (can also use green), optional
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 teaspoon packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1/2 cup beer
- 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- Fresh ground pepper to taste
To Serve
- 4 hamburger buns
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- Toppings: Cheddar cheese, sliced red onion, sliced jalapeno pepper, lettuce, dill sliced pickle
Instructions
Sloppy Jane Filling
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat cook ground turkey until no longer pink.
- Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic; lightly season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Stir in sugar, chili powder, cinnamon, then tomato paste. Cook, stirring constantly, for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Stir in mustard, Worcestershire sauce, then diced tomatoes and beer. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the mixture thickens. Add vinegar and season to taste with salt and pepper. Place over low heat to keep warm.
To Serve
- Lightly brush the insides of the hamburger buns with melted butter and toast.
- Fill with Sloppy Jane mixture and serve with toppings on the side.
Notes
Make ahead: If you are making the Sloppy Jane mixture ahead of time, or have leftovers, let it cool, then place it in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will last for up to 4 days. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Category: Main dish
- Method: Quick and easy
- Cuisine: American
