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Close-up of a juicy turkey sloppy joe sandwich with saucy ground turkey filling spilling from a toasted bun, served on a rustic plate in natural light.
SavorAndSpice

Easy Turkey Sloppy Joe Recipe (Healthy & Flavorful Lunch)

Turkey Sloppy Joes are the ultimate comfort food made lighter. Juicy ground turkey simmered in a rich, tangy sauce, all piled up high on soft toasted buns. This recipe is perfect for busy lunches and can be made in less than 30 minutes.  It’s one of those meals we all look forward to on busy weekdays or cozy weekends. Ground turkey keeps them light and juicy, the sauce is perfectly tangy-sweet, and most special, everything comes together in one pan. 
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 5 people
Course: lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 280

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lb ground turkey – lean
  • 1 large onion
  • ½ green bell pepper
  • 1 ¼ cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp. tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt & pepper
  • 6-8 soft sandwich buns
  • 1 tbsp vinegar

Equipment

  • 1 skillet/ frying pan

Method
 

  1. Start by warming a bit of olive oil in a large skillet. Using a bigger pan makes it easier to cook the turkey evenly. I always like a skillet that’s big enough so nothing steams instead of browns.
  2. Add the ground turkey and break it up with a spatula. Cook until it’s no longer pink. You’ll notice it starts releasing its juices – that’s the flavor. I love how the smell fills the kitchen; it’s a signal that lunch is on the way.
    Cooking ground turkey to made turkey sloppy joe.
  3. Stir in the chopped onion and bell pepper. Cook until softened. This step adds natural sweetness and color, and your kitchen will smell amazing & your family will probably start asking when it’s ready.
    adding onion and tomatoes in cooked ground turkey.
  4. Add ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the turkey. This is when the magic happens. Trust me, your lunch will taste restaurant-level good.
    Adding tomato sauce and seasoning.
  5. While the sauce simmers, toast the buns lightly. It makes the sandwich even better, giving you a slight crunch that holds all that juicy goodness. I never skip this step. It makes lunch feel special.
    Toasting buns to make Turkey Sloppy Joe for lunch.
  6. Spoon the turkey mixture onto the buns, pile it high, and serve immediately. You can add a little extra sauce on top if you like it saucy.
    Turkey Sloppy Joe ready to serve for lunch.

Notes

  • Use lean ground turkey for a healthier version.
  • Adjust spices according to your preferred heat level.
  • Toast buns lightly to prevent sogginess.
  • Serve immediately for best flavor.