Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe (turkey or beef)

4.63 from 8 votes

A traditional favorite, this easy turkey sloppy Joe recipe is made with ground turkey (or beef, if you prefer), and lots of veggies!

Prep Time10

Cook Time40

Total Time50

Course: Sandwiches, Burgers & Wraps

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings:

1 tablespoon olive oil, if needed
1 pound ground turkey (or ground beef)
½ cup diced yellow onion (1 small onion)
½ cup diced green bell pepper (½ bell pepper)
½ cup diced red bell pepper pepper (½ bell pepper)
½ teaspoon salt, more to taste
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, more to taste
¾ cup ketchup
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar (light brown sugar is okay, too)
1 ½ teaspoons yellow mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon garlic powder
6 hamburger or slider buns, to serve
optional toppings: shredded or sliced cheese, shredded lettuce, a spoonful of coleslaw, a slice of tomato, sliced avocado, chopped red onions or green onions, or whatever you like!

To a large skillet over medium-high heat, add ground meat, onion, and bell peppers, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up large chunks of the ground meat, until the meat is cooked and the vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes.
1 tablespoon olive oil, if needed, 1 pound ground turkey , ½ teaspoon salt, more to taste, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, more to taste, ½ cup diced yellow onion, ½ cup diced green bell pepper, ½ cup diced red bell pepper pepper
Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly.
¾ cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons yellow mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes (see note). Check seasoning and adjust if necessary.
Serve on hamburger buns or slider buns, toasted if desired. Optional toppings: shredded or sliced cheese, shredded lettuce, a spoonful of coleslaw, a slice of tomato, sliced avocado, chopped red onions or green onions, or whatever you like!

Veggie note: Increase or decrease the amount of peppers and onions, according to taste. Any color of bell peppers can be used and it doesn't matter if they're all one color.
Simmering time depends on how much time you have. Sloppy Joes actually taste better the longer it simmers. Stir occasionally, making sure the mixture isn’t sticking or drying out. Add a bit of water if it’s getting too dry. On the other hand, if you’re hungry, go ahead and eat it sooner, it will still be good.
Shortcut version: If you want to make a super easy sloppy joe, omit sauce ingredients (ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder). Instead use a 10.75 ounce can condensed tomato soup (with no water added).
Larger batch: You can easily double or triple the recipe for large crowds, or to freeze for later. If you like, transfer the mixture to a slow cooker and set it on Warm until you're ready to eat.

Scan this QR code with your phone's camera to view this recipe on your mobile device.

*If you're viewing this on your phone, press and hold the QR code to open in your browser.