Turkey Sloppy Joes on Bun (Print Version)
Lean ground turkey with savory-sweet tomato sauce on a toasted bun. Easy, satisfying, and family-friendly in just 35 minutes.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound lean ground turkey
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 small green bell pepper, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauce
05 - 1 cup tomato sauce
06 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
07 - 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
08 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar
09 - 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
13 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
→ To Serve
14 - 4 hamburger buns, toasted
# Directions:
01 - In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground turkey. Cook, breaking up with a spoon, until no longer pink, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
02 - Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
03 - Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
04 - Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 12 minutes until the sauce thickens to desired consistency.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed with additional salt, pepper, or spices.
06 - Spoon the turkey mixture onto toasted buns and serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The lean turkey creates all the comfort of traditional sloppy joes but leaves you feeling lighter and less weighed down after eating.
- The sauce hits that perfect nostalgic flavor while being made entirely from scratch - no mystery packet of seasoning required.
02 -
- Never skip the simmer time - I once rushed this step and ended up with watery sloppy joes that soaked through the buns before we could eat them.
- Toasting the buns isn't just for texture - it creates a moisture barrier that helps prevent soggy bottoms, a revelation that changed my sloppy joe experience forever.
03 -
- If your sauce seems too runny, add a teaspoon of tomato paste mixed with a teaspoon of water and let it simmer for 2 more minutes - this thickens without changing the flavor profile.
- I discovered that adding the garlic after the onions and peppers have softened prevents it from burning and turning bitter, preserving its aromatic qualities in the final dish.