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Turkey sloppy joes on toasted whole-wheat buns with diced red bell pepper on a light wood surface.

Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe: 30-Minute Skillet Dinner

Lean ground turkey simmers in a rich tomato sauce with sweet bell pepper and gets piled onto toasted whole-wheat buns. It is the saucy, a-little-messy sloppy joe you grew up with, made a touch lighter and ready in about 30 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 sandwiches
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground turkey 93% lean
  • 1 cup yellow onion diced (about 1 medium)
  • 1 medium red bell pepper diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 8 oz tomato sauce canned, no-salt-added
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt plus more to taste
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar optional
  • 4 whole-wheat buns split and toasted

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the turkey and cook, breaking it into small pieces, 6 to 8 minutes, until no longer pink. Transfer to a plate.
  2. Add the onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook 4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the garlic, chili powder and salt and cook 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar, if using. Return the turkey and its juices to the skillet.
  4. Simmer 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens and coats the meat. Taste and add more salt if needed.
  5. Spoon the mixture onto the toasted buns and serve warm.