Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes are saucy, flavorful, and loaded with hidden veggies. They’re quick to make and ready in 30 minutes or less.
author’s note
The Sloppy Joes My Kids Ask for Every Week!
Sloppy Joes always remind me of being a kid. They were one of those quick dinners my parents could throw together, and we were all happy to eat them. Now that I’m cooking for my own family, I wanted to bring that same idea back but in a version that I can sneak some veggies in.
These Turkey Sloppy Joes use lean ground turkey instead of beef and are packed with finely chopped veggies that blend right into the sauce. My kids don’t even notice them, but I like knowing they’re in there. The end result is saucy, hearty, and messy in the best way. My husband is all about them, the kids clean their plates, and I love that dinner is done in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients Turkey Sloppy Joes
| Ingredient | Swap/Tip |
|---|---|
| Ground Turkey | Use ground chicken or beef if preferred. |
| Onion & Garlic | Swap onion with shallot for a sweeter taste. |
| Carrot, Red Pepper & Mushrooms | Use a food processor to finely chop for picky eaters. |
| Ketchup + Tomato Sauce + BBQ Sauce | Swap BBQ with extra ketchup for a milder flavor. |
| Worcestershire, Mustard, Vinegar, Brown Sugar | Skip sugar for less sweetness. |
| Beef Bouillon Powder | Use chicken bouillon if that’s what you have. |
Featured Comment
“These are my “go-to” sloppy joes. So tasty and a great way to make a healthier version of an old favorite. Thank you for sharing this great recipe!”
– Tammy
How To Make Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes
- Veggies: In a skillet, sauté onion, garlic, carrot, and bell pepper until softened.
- Add Mushrooms: Cook until tender and moisture has evaporated.
- Brown the Turkey: Push veggies aside, add turkey, and cook until no longer pink.
- Sauce: Stir in ketchup, tomato sauce, BBQ, Worcestershire, mustard, vinegar, brown sugar, and bouillon.
- Simmer: Let the mixture simmer until thickened, then spoon onto buns and enjoy.
Storage
- Fridge: Store meat mixture in an airtight container for 3–4 days. Reheat Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes in the stove or microwave.
- Freeze: Cool completely, then store in freezer bags for up to 3 months.
- Meal Prep Tip: Keep the filling and buns separate until ready to serve to avoid soggy sandwiches.
More EASY Ground Turkey Recipes:
Turkey Sloppy Joes
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup grated yellow onion 1 small onion
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic 2 cloves
- 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot 1 medium carrot
- 1 cup finely chopped red bell pepper 1 bell pepper
- 1 cup finely chopped baby bella mushrooms 6 ounces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- Salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons beef bouillon powder
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 to 1 cup freshly shredded sharp Cheddar cheese depending on how cheesy you’d like it, optional
- Brioche buns for serving
Instructions
- Peel onion and grate it on the large holes of a grater. Mince the garlic, finely chop (or grate on the large holes) a carrot, finely chop red pepper, and finely chop mushrooms. Alternatively, add a coarsely chopped carrot, coarsely chopped red pepper, and garlic to a food processor and pulse into diced pieces. Add mushrooms separately and pulse into diced pieces.
- Add olive oil to a large cast-iron pan and place over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, carrot, and bell pepper. Sauté 5–7 minutes or until liquid from the veggies has evaporated. Add mushrooms and sauté another 2–3 minutes or until all veggies are mostly tender. Press veggies to the edges of the pan and add turkey in the center. Crumble the meat into small pieces and cook until no longer pink (but not cooked through all the way), about 5–8 minutes. As you crumble it, incorporate the veggies into the meat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Whisk this sauce in a different bowl or add it right into the pan. Add ketchup, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, brown sugar (see note 1), yellow mustard, beef bouillon powder, and BBQ sauce. Stir well, then simmer meat until fully cooked and sauce has thickened, about 3–5 minutes.
- Remove from heat. If desired, add some freshly shredded cheese on the meat and let stand (covered with a lid) 2–3 minutes or until melted. Spoon the mixture on top of toasted buns (see note 2) and enjoy immediately.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Side Dishes To Serve Alongside
Pair these with easy sides with Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes for a full meal:
- Potato chips or French fries
- Onion rings
- Dill pickles
- Elote (Mexican street corn) or grilled corn
- Potato salad, cucumber salad, or potato salad
- Roasted broccoli or Brussels sprouts
- Baked beans
Quick Tip
Serve Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes on toasted brioche buns. Here’s how to toast buns—on a grill, in a pan, or in the oven.
*I originally shared this recipe February 11, 2020. Updated the post, not the recipe, on September 23, 2025.
I make this on a regular basis with whatever vegetables we have on hand and it’s always good. It’s a great way to use up leftover produce and hide veggies for my kids, and you can stretch the filling by including riced cauliflower and more veggies than it calls for – it lasts several days for us.
I am so thrilled to hear this! The veggies are one of my favorite parts of these turkey sloppy joes! Thanks so much!
So delicious! Can you freeze leftovers?
Yes! It freezes great, just throw the cooled meat mixture in a ziplock bag, seal off any air, and freeze! 🙂
Can you taste the mushrooms or do they
“hide” well in the sauce. One of my boys hates mushrooms.
I think they hide really well in the sauce!
This is my new favorite sloppy joe recipe! I made a triple batch so I could freeze some for meal prep. I subbed a small can of tomato paste for the tomato sauce (because that’s what I had on hand) and just added a bit of water to thin. I also added a couple jalapeños that needed used up. Served over sweet potato is my favorite way to eat it!
I am so happy to hear this! Thanks so much Ana! 🙂
These are my “go-to” sloppy joes. So tasty and a great way to make a healthier version of an old favorite. I serve these on thin buns, and use the thin cheese slices to save a few more calories. Thank you for sharing this great recipe!
I am so thrilled to hear this Tammy! Thank you so much! 🙂