Ground turkey sloppy joes are a quick weeknight dinner made with ground turkey, onion and red bell peppers simmered in a sweet and tangy homemade sauce. They’re ready in about 30 minutes and make six generously filled sandwiches.
The sauce is made from scratch with tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, brown sugar and a few simple seasonings. It simmers until it thickens slightly and coats the turkey, then everything is piled onto toasted hamburger buns.
Ingredients
Please scroll down for the full recipe. These are just notes on select ingredients.
- Ground turkey – this recipe was tested with 90/10 ground turkey. If you use much leaner turkey and the filling seems too thick or dry, you can add a small splash of water or chicken broth as needed.
- Red bell peppers – finely dice them so they soften quickly and are evenly distributed throughout the filling.
- Tomato sauce, tomato paste and ketchup – these form the base of the sloppy joe sauce. The ketchup and brown sugar add sweetness, while the tomato paste helps give the sauce a richer, thicker consistency.
- Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard – these add savory and tangy flavor to the sauce.
- If you’re gluten-free or dairy-free – check your Worcestershire sauce and hamburger buns for gluten, and check the buns for dairy.
How to Make Them
Start by browning the ground turkey in olive oil over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. It doesn’t need to be completely cooked before you move on to the vegetables.
Add the onion and finely diced red bell peppers and cook for a few minutes, just until they begin to soften. Then stir in the garlic, tomato paste, tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, brown sugar and seasonings.
Bring everything to a gentle simmer and cook until the sauce has reduced slightly and thickened enough to coat the turkey. The ground turkey should reach an internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C).
Spoon the hot filling onto toasted hamburger buns and top with relish or sliced pickles, if you’d like.
Tips for Success
- Taste before serving – add more salt and black pepper if needed.
- Add some heat if you’d like – a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper can be added to the sauce.
- Add extra vegetables – finely diced carrots or mushrooms can also be added to the turkey mixture.
Make Ahead & Storage
The sloppy joe filling works well for meal prep, and the flavor is even better the next day. Prepare the filling ahead of time and store it separately from the hamburger buns until you’re ready to serve it.
Refrigerate cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat the filling in the microwave or in a skillet on the stovetop until heated through. Leftovers should reach 165 °F (74 °C) when reheated.
You can also freeze the cooled filling for up to 3 months. The leftover filling can be served on buns again or used in tacos or a bowl for a different meal.
What to Serve With Sloppy Joes
These ground turkey sloppy joes are filling on their own, but a simple side makes them an easy complete meal. Here are a few good options:
- Air Fryer Garlic Fries – a classic sandwich side with crispy edges and plenty of garlic flavor.
- No Mayo Potato Salad – a tangy make-ahead side that works well with the saucy filling.
- Blue Cheese Slaw – a crunchy, creamy side that adds some contrast.
- Smoked Baked Beans – a hearty option for a more substantial meal.
Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds (907 grams) ground turkey I used 90/10
- 1 cup (160 grams) diced white onion
- 2 finely diced red bell peppers 240 grams total after removing stem and seeds
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 15-ounce (425-gram) can tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup (59 ml) ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For Serving
- 6 toasted hamburger buns
- relish or sliced pickles optional
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it into small pieces, until almost cooked through.1 tablespoon olive oil2 pounds (907 grams) ground turkey
- Add the onion and red bell peppers. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until they begin to soften.1 cup (160 grams) diced white onion2 finely diced red bell peppers
- Add the garlic, tomato paste, tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt and black pepper. Stir until well combined.3 cloves minced garlic1 tablespoon tomato paste1 15-ounce (425-gram) can tomato sauce1/4 cup (59 ml) ketchup1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce1 tablespoon Dijon mustard2 tablespoons brown sugar1 teaspoon smoked paprika1/2 teaspoon chili powder1 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has reduced slightly and thickened enough to coat the turkey. Make sure the ground turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C). Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve the sloppy joe filling hot on the toasted hamburger buns with relish or sliced pickles, if desired. Refrigerate cooled filling in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through to 165 °F (74 °C).
Notes
- This recipe was tested with 90/10 ground turkey. If using much leaner turkey and the filling becomes too thick or dry, add a small splash of water or chicken broth as needed.
- If you're gluten-free or dairy-free, check your Worcestershire sauce and hamburger buns for gluten, and check the buns for dairy.
- The nutrition information provided is calculated as a courtesy and is only an estimate. I am not a licensed nutritionist or dietitian. For the most accurate nutritional data, consult a professional or use your preferred calculator. Values don't include hamburgers buns or any toppings.
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