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These ground turkey Sloppy Joes are made with juicy turkey instead of ground beef, simmered in a rich and flavor-packed homemade sauce. Skip the can of Manwich and make this lean and easy dinner in one skillet!
I love recreating homemade versions of the classic box dinners we grew up eating, like this leaner, lighter Sloppy Joes recipe, beefaroni, and homemade Hamburger Helper.
Table of Contents
Sloppy Joes are a staple dinner in our house. What was once a boxed meal (for those of us who grew up eating Manwich) has quickly become a homemade favorite! A Sloppy Joe is a sandwich with juicy ground meat mixed with a sweet-savory, tomato-based sauce, tucked into a fluffy hamburger bun. Traditionally made with beef, these ground turkey Sloppy Joes turned out delicious with leaner, just-as-juicy turkey meat. They’re great for quick dinners and they’re 100% making an appearance at this year’s Super Bowl party!
Reasons to Love These Turkey Sloppy Joes
- A lightened-up classic. I love riffing off of my classic Sloppy Joes recipe, so much so that I’ve shared recipes for taco Sloppy Joes and even Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes. This turkey Sloppy Joe sandwich swaps out ground beef for lighter turkey while keeping all the traditional, umami-rich flavors we know and love.
- Quick and easy. This recipe uses common fridge and pantry ingredients, and it’s ready in 30 minutes or less.
- One pan. The best part? Since everything cooks in one skillet, clean-up afterward is super speedy.
What You’ll Need
I’m a fan of retro recipes like Sloppy Joes because, even when they’re made from scratch, the ingredients couldn’t be easier. These are some notes on what you’ll need for this ground turkey version. Scroll down to the recipe card for a printable ingredients list with amounts.
- Olive Oil – Or your choice of cooking oil, for sautéeing.
- Ground Turkey – This recipe also works great with ground beef, chicken, pork, or any other ground meat you prefer.
- Onion and Garlic – Finely chopped yellow onion and freshly minced garlic cloves. In a pinch, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of onion powder instead of the small onion in this recipe, and ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder per fresh clove.
- Tomato Sauce – Choose your favorite jarred tomato sauce, marinara, or passata. If you have a homemade recipe, that will work, too.
- Worcestershire Sauce – You could also use soy sauce or tamari.
- Sugar – Any kind you’d like, or another sweetener, like honey.
- Mustard – I use yellow mustard, but you can substitute Dijon, brown, or whole-grain mustard if needed.
- Barbecue Sauce – This can be store-bought or smoky homemade barbecue sauce.
- Hamburger Buns – For serving.
How to Make Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes
Follow the steps below to make the best homemade Sloppy Joes from ground turkey. You’ll find the printable instructions in the recipe card after the post.
- Sauté. Start by sautéeing the ground turkey and onions in a skillet with oil, breaking up the meat while it cooks. Once the turkey browns and the onions soften, add the garlic.
- Add the other ingredients. Next, stir in tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and mustard. Season with salt and pepper, then bring the whole thing to a boil and let it cook for 10 minutes.
- Add barbecue sauce. Finally, stir in the barbecue sauce and cook for another 8-10 minutes, until you have a thick, meaty mixture.
- Serve. Spoon your turkey Sloppy Joes mixture over burger buns or your choice of sandwich bun, and dig in!
Recipe Tips
- Double the recipe. If I’m making this turkey Sloppy Joes recipe for a Super Bowl party or get-together, I’ll double the ingredients to make a larger batch. It’s also a great option to freeze for later!
- Keep the meat warm. Make the Sloppy Joes mixture in advance and then transfer it to the slow cooker or crock pot to keep on the “Low” or “Warm” setting until you’re ready to serve.
- Toast the hamburger buns. Pop the buns into the toaster or under the broiler for a few minutes. Toasting helps to keep the bread from getting soggy and it also adds flavor.
- Add spice. Give these ground turkey Sloppy Joes a spicy kick with cayenne pepper, crushed chili flakes, or homemade Cajun seasoning.
What to Serve With Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes are just as great for weeknight dinners as they are for parties, potlucks, and game day menus! I’ll serve mine over toasted buns, with a tossed salad and crispy air fryer French fries for an easy family meal. If I make these for a crowd, I’ll pair our Sloppy Joe sandwiches with crispy potato skins and other appetizers like cheesy artichoke dip or cowboy caviar and tortilla chips. I also love these on-theme football cookies for dessert!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
- Refrigerate. Store any leftover ground turkey mixture separate from the hamburger buns. Let the mixture cool completely and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat. Warm leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop until they’re hot throughout.
- Freeze. These ground turkey Sloppy Joes freeze wonderfully. Store the cooled meat mixture in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container and keep it frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw the meat in the fridge, then reheat and serve as usual.
More Ways to Use Ground Turkey
Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce
- 4 hamburger buns
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat over medium-high heat. Add the oil, swirling to coat the pan. Once hot add the ground turkey and onion. Break apart the meat and cook for 5-7 minutes until cooked through and the onions are soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, until you can start to smell it.1 Tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound lean ground turkey, 1 small onion, 2 cloves garlic
- Add tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, mustard, sal, and pepper to the meat. Stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for about 10 minutes until it starts to thicken.8 oz tomato sauce, 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce, 1 Tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Stir in the barbecue sauce and let it cook for about 8-10 minutes until the mixture is nice and thick.¼ cup barbecue sauce
- Serve on hamburger buns.4 hamburger buns
Notes
- I used a smoky barbecue sauce, but you can use any variety you like.
- You can easily double the recipe to feed more.
- Once cooked, add the turkey Sloppy Joes mixture to your crockpot to keep on low or warm if you’re serving a group of people.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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