These ground turkey Sloppy Joes deliver all the comfort food vibes without the extra calories-weeknight win! It's great for a quick and easy dinner.
This recipe for lightened-up ground turkey Sloppy Joes uses ingredients that you likely stock in your fridge and pantry. If you have a decent supply of dried spices, some king of ground turkey (preferably lean or extra-lean), a couple of carrots and a bit of tomato and barbecue sauce, then you can pull this off with your eyes closed.
While traditional Sloppy Joes are served on hamburger buns, there's not reason why you couldn't serve the mixture over rice or even pasta. My motto for weekday meals...use what you have. It will always turn out if you have a decently stocked pantry and a somewhat forgiving family.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Ground turkey: I used extra lean (99%) ground turkey. Feel free to swap in lean (93%) ground turkey or lean ground beef.
- Vegetables: Onions and carrots add a good base of flavor and extra fiber.
- Seasonings: Fresh garlic cloves, dried thyme, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (to taste), salt and pepper.
- Tomato sauce: Use a can of tomato sauce.
- Tomato paste: Look for the tubes of tomato paste at the grocery store. They're handy when you just need a tablespoon or two. Store in the refrigerator.
- Barbecue sauce: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade bbq sauce.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds a layer of flavor.
- Honey: Swap out with agave nectar, if preferred.
- Hamburger buns: Whole wheat hamburger buns are a good higher fiber option. My favorites are the ones made by Dave's Killer Bread.
How to make ground turkey Sloppy Joes
⭐️ See full recipe card below. ⭐️
- Sauté the vegetables and seasonings until the vegetables are tender.
- Cook the ground turkey, crumbling with a wooden spoon, until the turkey is cooked through.
- Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, bbq sauce and other seasonings. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Serve on hamburger buns.
Make-ahead and storage
The ground turkey mixture can be made up to 3 to 4 days ahead of time. Once cooled, transfer it to airtight containers and store in the refrigerator.
Alternatively, scoop the turkey mixture into a freezer-safe airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost it overnight in the fridge, and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
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Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 3 teaspoons olive oil divided
- 2 medium carrots diced
- ½ medium onion diced
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 pound extra lean (99%) ground turkey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or more to taste
- 1 (15 ounces) can tomato sauce
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons honey or agave nectar
- 4 whole wheat hamburger buns (See note below)
Instructions
- Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add the carrots and sauté until starting to soften, about 3 minutes. Pour in an additional teaspoon of olive oil. Add the onion, thyme and oregano and sauté until the onions are tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds. Transfer the mixture to a bowl.
- Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil, then add the ground turkey. Cook, breaking up the turkey with a wooden spoon, until the turkey is cooked through. Drain the accumulated liquid.
- Return the vegetable mixture to the pan with the turkey, and stir in the tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and honey (or agave nectar). Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Divide the turkey mixture evenly between the 4 hamburger buns. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was first published on March 21, 2014 and updated on March 25, 2025.
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Joan Miller
This is so good it's almost dangerous!! My husband devours it. It has become one of our 'go to' meals!
Thanks Dara!!
Dara
Haha! Great to hear!
Taylor
One of my favorite weeknight dinners! So yummy!
Jennifer Farley
This was absolutely delicious! Just found my new favorite way to eat Sloppy Joes!
richard
your ingredients call for 2 tsp agave or honey and directions say add "brown sugar." Which is best and if brown sugar how much.
Dara
Hi Richard, the directions should say "agave or honey" - fixing that now. However, you could substitute brown sugar if that's what you have on hand.
cheri
This looks like a quick meal that the whole family would love.
Lauren
I think everyone has those afternoons where you need to whip something up in a hurry, no matter how organized you are! I love that you made it healthier too!
Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg
Oh I bet this is delicious! This is great fly by the seat of my pants meal. It happens.
Reina
I've been enjoying your blog, Dara. My family loves turkey Sloppy Joes! I make my own spice mix and add tomato paste and water to the cooked ground turkey, and some veggies, usually carrots like you suggest, and serve on whole wheat buns. Sometimes my youngest son objects to the small pieces of onion and carrot, so I grate or puree them to still get those veggies in. Delicious, quick, and filling. Thanks for the reminder to make these soon. 🙂
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl
These look divine Dara!! I think the meals I create at 5PM at the last minute are usually the best. 🙂