Print

Veggie-Loaded Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.2 from 62 reviews

These Veggie-Loaded Turkey Sloppy Joes offer a nutritious twist on the classic comfort food by combining lean ground turkey with a medley of finely chopped vegetables and a rich, flavorful sauce. Perfectly seasoned and served on toasted whole wheat buns, this recipe provides a balanced, hearty meal that’s easy to prepare and ideal for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • ¾ cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and grated
  • 1 small zucchini, grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Main Protein

  • 1 pound lean ground turkey
  • 2 cups baby spinach, chopped

Sauce Ingredients

  • 3 Tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
  • ⅓ cup water

Seasonings

  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

Serving

  • 6 whole wheat hamburger buns or other sandwich rolls, toasted

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil and sauté aromatics: Warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion turns golden brown and soft, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  2. Add grated carrots and zucchini: Stir in the grated carrot and zucchini, cooking for 3 to 4 minutes to release their moisture and soften. After the vegetables are tender, add minced garlic, kosher salt, and ground pepper, cooking for an additional minute to blend the flavors.
  3. Cook the ground turkey: Add the lean ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until the turkey is well browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
  4. Prepare the sauce: While the turkey cooks, combine tomato paste, brown sugar (or honey/maple syrup), Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce (or tamari), and water in a small bowl or liquid measuring cup. Stir well to blend.
  5. Add spinach and sauce: Once the turkey is cooked, stir in the chopped baby spinach followed by the prepared sauce. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring continuously until the sauce thickly coats the turkey mixture and the flavors meld together, about 2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired.
  6. Assemble the sloppy joes: Spoon approximately ¾ cup of the warm turkey sloppy joe mixture onto each toasted whole wheat bun. Serve immediately and enjoy.
  7. Storage and reheating: The filling can be made ahead or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm in a pan over medium heat with a splash of water, stirring until heated through, or microwave until hot. For freezing, place cooled filling in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Notes

  • Ground turkey can be substituted with ground chicken or lean ground beef for variation.
  • If you prefer not to grate the carrot and zucchini, finely chopping them by hand or pulsing in a food processor until finely chopped works well.
  • Instead of sandwiching the sloppy joe mixture in buns, serve it atop cooked rice or quinoa for a different meal option.
  • Add extra water near the end of cooking for a looser, thinner consistency if desired.
  • Adjust the sauce flavor at the end of cooking by adding more brown sugar, honey, or Worcestershire sauce to suit your personal taste preferences.

Find it online: https://deliciousyum.com/veggie-loaded-turkey-sloppy-joes-recipe/