Craving a quick, hearty yet healthy, and flavorful dinner? Look no further than these easy 5-ingredient Turkey BBQ Sloppy Joes! Made with just ground turkey, olive oil, BBQ sauce, wheat buns, and pickles, this dish is perfect for a busy weeknight or a laid-back weekend meal. The best part? You’ll be sitting down to eat in under 20 minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Quick and easy: Ready in under 20 minutes, making it a great option for busy nights.
- Healthy twist: Using lean ground turkey and wheat buns makes this version of Sloppy Joes lighter and more nutritious.
- Minimal ingredients: Only five simple ingredients, most of which you likely already have on hand.
- Crowd-pleaser: Kids and adults alike love the savory BBQ flavor and satisfying texture of these sandwiches.
Optional Add-Ons:
- Add a slice of cheddar cheese for an extra layer of richness.
- For more veggies, toss in sautéed onions or bell peppers before adding the BBQ sauce when cooking the ground turkey.
I first found out about this meal from the meal-delivery service Hungryroot, it was so quick and easy I’ve since adopted the recipe and it has made its way into our meal rotation. Hungryroot has branded BBQ sauce, however, my favorite BBQ sauce is Stubbs Original BBQ sauce.
Why Ground Turkey?
Using ground turkey in place of traditional ground beef is a fantastic way to lighten up a classic dish. Turkey is naturally lower in fat than beef, making these Sloppy Joes not only tasty but also a healthier option. Plus, it’s mild in flavor, allowing the BBQ sauce and pickles to really shine. If you’re looking for ways to incorporate more lean protein into your diet, ground turkey is an excellent choice.
Turkey also pairs beautifully with barbecue sauce, absorbing the rich, smoky sweetness without overpowering the other ingredients. It’s a versatile meat that works well with a variety of seasonings, making it an easy swap in recipes that traditionally call for beef or pork.
Make It Your Own
This recipe is wonderfully simple, but you can always get creative and customize it to your liking. Want a bit of heat? Add some crushed red pepper flakes to the turkey while it’s cooking, or choose a spicy BBQ sauce. Prefer a more robust, smoky flavor? Try a hickory or mesquite-style BBQ sauce for a deeper taste.
For those who like a bit of crunch, you can add finely chopped onions or bell peppers when sautéing the turkey. You could even sprinkle a little shredded cheese on top before serving for an extra indulgent touch. The bread and butter pickles bring a perfect balance of sweetness and tang, but dill pickles can add a sharper, saltier bite if that’s more your style.
A Balanced, Satisfying Meal
This recipe hits the mark when it comes to both flavor and nutrition. By using whole wheat buns, you’re adding extra fiber and nutrients compared to traditional white buns, helping you stay full longer. Pairing lean turkey with a hearty BBQ sauce and the unique taste of bread and butter pickles makes for a well-rounded meal that’s light, but still satisfying. You’ll get plenty of protein from the turkey and complex carbs from the whole wheat buns, making this a meal that will fuel you up without weighing you down.
If you’re looking for something easy, tasty, and relatively healthy, this 5-ingredient recipe has you covered. Pair these sandwiches with a simple side salad, some baked sweet potato fries, or even a quick coleslaw, and you’ve got yourself a complete meal!
Enjoy these mouthwatering Turkey BBQ Sloppy Joes any time you need a meal that’s both quick and delicious!
5 Ingredient turkey BBQ sloppy Joe's
Ingredients
- 1.25 lbs ground turkey
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup bbq sauce your favorite kind
- 1/3 cup bread and butter pickles sliced
- 4 whole wheat burger buns
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add your ground turkey
- Break up the ground turkey with a spatula and cook until it’s browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Make sure there’s no pink left in the meat.
- Once the turkey is cooked, pour in 1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce. Stir everything together until the turkey is evenly coated in the sauce. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes so the flavors can meld.
- Toast your wheat buns if you like a bit of crunch. Then, spoon a generous amount of the BBQ turkey mixture onto the bottom half of each bun.
- Top each Sloppy Joe with a few bread and butter pickles for a tangy, sweet crunch. Place the other half of the bun on top, and your sloppy joes are ready to serve!
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