Homemade sloppy joes made with ground turkey and chili sauce. Quick and easy, a healthier dinner the whole family will enjoy.
Did you love sloppy joes as a kid? My childhood version used a can of something mixed into browned ground beef and it wasn’t my favorite. Years later my mom made a homemade version and I finally appreciated how comforting and delicious a proper sloppy joe can be.
I have a couple of favorite sloppy joe recipes, both from my mom. One uses ground beef and breakfast sausage, and it’s very flavorful. This turkey version comes from a friend of my mom’s who makes it every summer during girls’ week at the lake. I substituted ground turkey for beef and adjusted the seasonings slightly — but it’s still the same great recipe.
What exactly are sloppy joes?
Sloppy joes are sandwiches made with a saucy ground-meat filling — traditionally beef — combined with onions, tomato sauce or ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and seasonings. The mixture is piled high on a hamburger bun and yes, they’re delightfully messy.
The sandwich is believed to have originated in Sioux City, Iowa, where “loose meat” sandwiches were popular. A cook named Joe reportedly added tomato sauce to his loose meat sandwich and the sloppy joe was born.
How to make sloppy joes with ground turkey
Making sloppy joes with ground turkey is just as simple as using beef, and it’s a lighter option that still delivers big flavor. Key steps:
- Brown the turkey in a large skillet. For the best color and flavor, pat the meat dry, place it in the pan and leave it untouched for several minutes to brown. Flip, brown the other side, then break it up with a wooden spoon until crumbled.
- Add diced onion and green pepper, cook until softened, then stir in minced garlic.
- Stir in a bottle of chili sauce, then add Worcestershire sauce, cider vinegar, mustard, chili powder, brown sugar and salt.
- Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Taste and adjust salt and pepper to your preference.
- Spoon the mixture onto hamburger buns and serve.
Can I freeze the sloppy joe mixture?
Yes — the mixture freezes well. Cool leftovers, place them in an airtight container and freeze for three to four months. Refrigerated leftovers will keep for four to five days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Cover loosely with a paper towel to prevent splatters.
What goes well with sloppy joes?
- Pickles — I like bread-and-butter pickle slices on mine.
- Pickled jalapeños or candied jalapeños (cowboy candy) for a spicy-sweet kick.
- Marinated red onions add brightness and tang.
- Potato chips are a classic pairing.
- Fresh fruit helps balance the meal.
- Baked beans complement the sandwich nicely.
- Potato salad is another great side.
- French fries or tater tots are always crowd-pleasers.
I hope you give these turkey sloppy joes a try next time you’re craving something cozy and satisfying — they’re mom-approved. Enjoy! Kelly
If you try the recipe, please rate it in the comments and tell me how it turned out — I love hearing from readers!
Turkey Sloppy Joes
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds ground turkey (mix of light and dark recommended)
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- ½ green bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (12-oz.) bottle chili sauce (such as Heinz)
- 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 8 hamburger buns (regular, sesame or brioche)
Instructions
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Pat the ground turkey dry and add it to the skillet in one piece. Let it brown without moving for about 5 minutes. Flip, brown the other side a few minutes, then break up with a wooden spoon until all meat is browned and crumbled.
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Add onion and green pepper and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, about 30 seconds.
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Stir in chili sauce, apple cider vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, brown sugar and salt. Cover and simmer 20 minutes, stirring often.
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Taste for salt and pepper. If the mixture seems too thick, add a little ketchup. Spoon onto buns and serve with your favorite sides.
Recipe Notes
- If the mixture seems dry, stir in a little ketchup to loosen it up.
- You can substitute ground beef for turkey if you prefer.
- I like sesame seed buns and bread-and-butter pickle slices for serving.