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Sweet and Spicy Turkey Sloppy Joes

Mar 10, 2019 · 24 Comments

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These sweet and spicy turkey sloppy joes are super flavorful and easy to make, and will become a family favorite for dinnertime.

The best sloppy joe sandwiches made with ground turkey this image

I originally posted this recipe over 5 years ago! At the time (5 years ago) when I was about to photograph the recipe the power went out, but I still went ahead and snapped some pictures and posted them (the photos were super dark and bad lol). I’ve made them countless times over the years but just never photographed them again until now!

How to make the best ground turkey sloppy joes

It wasn’t until we were stuck inside for the umpteenth snow day and I made these for a quick lunch that I snapped some pictures because I wanted to show how amazing these sloppy joes made with ground turkey really are!

Time to be honest…sloppy joe’s weren’t a dish that was ever served in my house growing up, like, never ever ever! The only time I can remember having them is when I went over to my friends house down the street where they were on the weekly menu. I loved the way the bread sopped up the juicy meat, and the slightly sweet and tangy flavor they had.

The most amazing sweet and spicy turkey sloppy joes

For some reason, I hadn’t thought of making sloppy joes until I was staring at the contents of my fridge in bewilderment thinking ‘what should I make for dinner?’ We had Italian turkey sausages, one bell pepper and some sliced Pepperjack cheese. That’s how these amazing sweet and spicy sloppy Joe sandwiches came together.

These sandwiches can be served on Kings Hawaiian sweet rolls as sliders, or on regular buns for more of a hearty dinner. I have made them for parties countless times.

The filling of these turkey sloppy Joe’s can be made and frozen and then heated when you’re ready to enjoy them, they make a great freezer meal!

What I love is that these sweet and spicy turkey sloppy Joe sandwiches have a super quick cook time, so you can have dinner on the table in 20 minutes!

The best ever turkey sloppy joes for an easy dinner

My husband loves sloppy Joe sandwiches and requests these all the time. Looking for another quick sloppy Joe recipe? I have a great one in my cookbook Fast and Easy Five-Ingredient Recipes: A Cookbook For Busy People

Go pick up the ingredients for these sweet and spicy turkey sloppy joes and make it tonight!!

Other recipes you might enjoy:

  • Sheet Pan Meal Ground Turkey Balsamic Meatloaf
  • The Best Ground Turkey Tacos
  • Easy Healthy Asian Ground Turkey Lettuce Wrap Salad
Sloppy Joe sandwiches made with ground turkey, easy dinner with ground turkey, ground turkey sloppy Joe sliders, 20 minute meals, 20 minute easy dinner

Sweet and Spicy Italian Sausage Sloppy Joe Sliders

These sweet and spicy turkey sloppy Joe sandwiches are a super easy 20 minute meal the whole family will love!
5 from 3 votes
Print Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbs canola oil or a neutral oil like vegetable oil
  • 1.25 lbs Italian turkey sausage casing removed (or ground turkey)
  • 1 bell pepper finely chopped
  • 2 Tbs ketchup
  • 2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 can 6 oz tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 6 slices pepperjack cheese
  • 6 burger buns or 12 King's Hawaiian Sweet Rolls

Instructions

  • In a large frying pan add canola oil and uncased Italian turkey sausage (you can buy it either ground or in casing, either is fine, or you could use ground turkey) fry over medium high heat breaking up the meat for 5 minutes, then add the bell pepper pieces and continue to cook for 2 minutes, then add the Ketchup and Worcestershire Sauce, salt, chili powder and cayenne.
  • Next add the can of tomato paste and water and stir until the tomato paste is part of the sauce and no clumps remain. Cook for another 5 minutes or until the meat is cooked through and there are is no pink remaining.
  • To serve place one or two heaping spoonfuls onto a bun, place a piece of pepperjack cheese on top and serve!

Nutrition

Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 508kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 1554mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g

 

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Did you make this recipe? Hashtag with us! Be sure to follow/tag  @philiakelnhofer and hashtag #sweetphiblog – we love to see what you’re cooking up!”
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Comments

  1. denise says

    October 24, 2019 at 8:19 pm

    I have this recipe bookmarked and have had for a couple of months now. Sloppy joes were a favorite of mine when I was a kid, and I have a feeling I have not had in years. Definitely giving this recipe a whirl this winter, and I am sure it will be just as good as all of the recipes I have made from your book. Which sits on my desk for easy reference when I am struggling with a last minute dish.

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      October 24, 2019 at 8:48 pm

      I think you guys would love this recipe Denise…it’s truly one of our favorites. I never had sloppy Joes when I was growing up, and I’ve come to love them. This version is so flavorful – it’s one of Nick’s most requested meals actually! I always make a double batch and throw the filling in the freezer – it’s one of those awesome make-ahead/freezer meals. Your comment about my cookbook also make my night! Even though I wrote the book, I have found that lately – with time really non existent, I find myself using it more and more. I feel so honored that is on your desk!

      Reply
  2. Ashley says

    July 1, 2014 at 12:57 pm

    I LOVE the sweet and spicy combo! These sliders sound awesome!

    haha I always have fun trying to come up with dinner whenever we are about to leave town! It can be hard but sometimes leads to great things!

    Reply
  3. Medha @ Whisk & Shout says

    July 1, 2014 at 10:54 am

    Yum, have fun on your vacation! 🙂

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      July 1, 2014 at 11:06 am

      Thank you! It’ll be a fun mini vacation/road trip and we’re bringing our dog so that should be fun too! Thanks for commenting!

      Reply
  4. Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says

    July 1, 2014 at 9:40 am

    These look great. Love the flavor combo. Enjoy your vacation

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      July 1, 2014 at 11:05 am

      Thanks girl! The flavors came out so good, spicy yet a little sweet from the bun…oh man, I want one right now! lol! Thank you for commenting 🙂

      Reply
  5. cheri says

    July 1, 2014 at 7:42 am

    These look good Phi, have fun on your vacation.

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      July 1, 2014 at 7:55 am

      Thanks Cheri! There’s still 1 day to go, so we’ll see what creative things happen in the kitchen for meal time today lol!

      Reply

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