Consider this a healthier and tastier version of old fashioned sloppy joes. These old fashioned sloppy joes are made with ground turkey, lots of veggies (4 cups!), and a traditional, sweet and savory ketchup-based sauce. These are such a hit with kids!
Besides being healthy, these sloppy joes are super easy to make and cleanup is a breeze (one skillet!).
This recipe makes a lot and reheats well. Use the leftovers for your kids' lunches (just be sure to pack the bun separately) or serve it for dinner another night!
Serve these healthy sloppy joes with a kale salad or lettuce salad with my favorite strawberry balsamic dressing, baked beans and/or chips and guacamole - dinner will be set!
This healthy sloppy joe recipe is slightly adapted from the one my sister originally emailed to me back in 2009! Yes, I still have the email! I have no idea who she got the recipe from but I've been making it ever since! It really is a timeless healthy meal that your family will love!his recipe makes a lot. Thankfully, leftovers reheat easily and make the perfect lunch!
What I Love About This Recipe
- This recipe makes a lot. Thankfully, leftovers reheat easily and make the perfect lunch!
- All of the ingredients are easy to find and easy to measure.
- The kids love the sweet sauce and get loads of nutrients from the veggies.
- It is a super simple, 30-minute meal.
What Are Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes?
Also known as 'loose meat sandwiches' or 'barbeque' sandwiches, sloppy joes are sandwich made of ground of minced meat. They are traditionally made with onions and a tomato-based sauce that contains Worcestershire sauce. There are many variations, some made with pork, but most commonly, sloppy joes contain ground beef.
What Makes These Sloppy Joes Healthier?
Like traditional old fashioned sloppy joes, the sauce in this recipe is both sweet and savory... just the way kids like it!
- In this recipe I substitute lean ground turkey for ground beef because it is lower in saturated fat than beef and pork, but provides a similar taste.
- I serve this to my kids on buns made by Dave's Killer Bread, which is a healthier, whole grain option.
- This recipe contains 4 cups of vegetables which add fiber and micronutrients to the mix!
Ingredient Notes
- Ground Turkey I like lean ground turkey in this recipe but it can be substituted with ground beef or TVP (textured vegetable protein) for a vegetarian option.
- Bell Pepper Full of fiber, vitamins (especially vitamin C and vitamin A), and minerals.
- Celery Adds perfect texture, flavor, and fiber to these sloppy joes.
- Worcestershire Sauce Makes this sauce so savory. It has a vinegar base which adds the perfect touch of tang and it contains molasses which adds sweetness.
- Onion For texture and flavor.
- Garlic For flavor.
- Cumin Added for flavor.
- Chili Powder Added for flavor.
- Brown Sugar Just a little, haha!
- Cooking Oil I use avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil because they contain healthy fats. The type of oil I use depends on which skillet I'm cooking with because avocado oil has a higher smoke point.
How To Make This Recipe
Here’s a quick overview of the steps to make these sloppy joes. For the full list of ingredients and specific instructions, scroll down to the recipe.
- Use a large skillet to sauté all of the vegetables in a small amount of oil for five minutes.
- Add garlic, chili powder, and cumin to the skillet. Stir well.
- Add ground turkey to the skillet and cook until meat is browned.
- Add the remainder of the ingredients and stir well. Simmer on low heat for an additional 5 minutes.
- That's it!
expert tips and FAQs
- Use a good quality food chopper for chopping the onions, bell peppers, and celery to save you time and to get the vegetables to a size that appeals to kids.
- When bell peppers are in abundance (like in the summer months here in the East Coast), chop them up and freeze in a resealable bag. This way, you can pull them out of the freezer to use in recipes like this all year long.
- Place leftovers in a sealed container or resealable bag and store in the refrigerator. According to the USDA, refrigerated leftovers should be consumed within three to four days.
- Reheat sloppy joes (at least the meat and veggie mixture) in a pan on the stove or in the microwave.
Yes. Let the sloppy joe mixture cool completely then store in an airtight container in the freezer. Reheat it on the stovetop or in a microwave.
Yes! I heat up the sloppy joe meat in the morning and send it with my kids in a thermos. I pack the sliced bun up separately for them to assemble at lunch or I pack crackers for them to eat with the sloppy joe meat.
Other Kid-Friendly Dinner Recipes
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Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 2 onions chopped
- 2 bell peppers seeded and chopped
- 2 stalks of celery chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 tbsp cooking oil*
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 ½ tbsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet**
- Add chopped bell peppers, onion, and celery to the skillet and saute for five minutes
- Add garlic, chili powder, and cumin to the skillet. Stir well.
- Add the ground turkey and cook until meat is browned.
- Add the remainder of the ingredients and stir well.
- Simmer on low heat for 5 minutes
- Enjoy!
Lisa
We had these a couple of nights ago. Kids gave it two thumbs up and it is going in the regular rotation! Texture is the best past. Kids who are not fans of the texture of typical sloppy joes liked this recipe.
Kristi
I'm so glad they were a hit with your kids!!
Bethany
We are not normally a sloppy joe family but this was delicious and great to have as leftovers for lunch while working from home.