Say goodbye to overly sweet, canned sauces! This Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes recipe features a rich, savory, and tangy homemade sauce that's low in sugar but big on flavor. Made with lean ground turkey and packed with veggies, it's a 30-minute meal the whole family will love.
For a convenient, hands-off version of this recipe, be sure to check out our Crock Pot Sloppy Joes that lets your slow cooker do all the work. And if you're looking for more delicious and healthy ground turkey recipes, we have a wide variety of quick and easy dinners to explore.
This recipe is designed to be a heart-healthy and diabetes-friendly alternative to traditional sloppy joes. By using 99% lean ground turkey, we significantly reduce saturated fat content. The homemade sauce replaces high-fructose corn syrup and excess sodium with natural flavors from vegetables, spices, and a touch of barbecue sauce.
The easiest way to thicken the sauce is to let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes, which allows excess moisture to evaporate. If you're short on time, you can create a cornstarch slurry by mixing 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 teaspoons of cold water, then stirring it into the simmering sauce until it thickens.
To boost the flavor without adding sodium, focus on aromatics and spices. Try adding a pinch of smoked paprika for a smoky depth, a dash of chili powder for mild heat, or increase the Worcestershire sauce for more umami. Sautéing the onions and peppers until they are well-browned also builds a great flavor base.
The key is to use a homemade sauce and choose your ingredients wisely. This recipe avoids brown sugar and uses reduced-sugar ketchup and a salt-free barbecue sauce. For an even lower-sugar option, replace the ketchup with an equal amount of no-salt-added tomato paste and add an extra teaspoon of apple cider vinegar for tang.
If you enjoyed these healthy sloppy joes, you'll love these other easy and delicious ground turkey dinners. From juicy burgers to comforting meatloaf, these recipes are perfect for busy weeknights when you need a nutritious meal on the table fast.
Complete your meal with these delicious and healthy side dishes that pair perfectly with turkey sloppy joes. These simple recipes, from crispy sweet potato fries to a refreshing coleslaw, come together quickly for a well-rounded dinner.
Recipe yields 4 servings
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and heat until warm and shimmering. Add garlic, red onion, and bell peppers. Sauté for 5 minutes, until onion begins to soften and turns translucent. Move vegetable mixture to one side of pan.
Add ground turkey and season with black pepper, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Break meat up as it cooks and cook until no longer pink, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Once turkey is fully browned, mix in the vegetable mixture. Add the ketchup, honey barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, water, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well to combine and bring meat mixture to a simmer, then reduce to low and cook for 10 minutes, until sauce thickens. If needed, add a tablespoon or two of water if sauce looks too thick. Remove from heat.
Separate potato slider buns and add Romaine lettuce to bottom halves, followed by a scoop of turkey sloppy joe mixture, then place the top halves of the buns. Serve warm and enjoy!
Store leftover meat mixture in an airtight container, separate from the slider buns, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Replace the ½ cup of ketchup with ½ cup of no-salt-added tomato paste plus 1 extra teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
Finely shredded carrots or zucchini can be sautéed with the onions and peppers to boost the vegetable content.
To add fiber and help thicken the sauce, mix in ¼ cup of old-fashioned rolled oats along with the liquids and let it simmer.
This recipe also works well with 93% lean ground beef or ground chicken.
Ground turkey is a versatile and lean, heart-healthy protein that makes it easy to create nutritious meals any night of the week. From savory meatballs to hearty chilis and flavorful pastas, explore these other simple recipes to put this excellent ingredient to work.