Name: Turkey Sloppy Joes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: ½ onion (chopped); 8 ounces ground turkey (90% lean); ¼ cup tomato paste; ¼ cup water; 2 tablespoons sloppy joe seasoning (I used Food Club); 2 Dave's Killer Bread hamburger buns (toasted); cooking spray; 2 cups shredded cabbage; 2 tablespoons light mayo; 1 tablespoon plain Greek yogurt; 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar; 1 teaspoon Equal sugar substitute; salt (to taste)

363calories

26gprotein

38gcarbs

12gfat

2servings

Jump to Recipe

These turkey sloppy joes are saucy, savory and on the table in 15 minutes with just five ingredients. Each sandwich has 363 calories and 26 grams of protein, and a crunchy, creamy coleslaw on top adds only 52 more. It’s an easy, high protein weeknight dinner for two, and one of my favorite meals for two.

This is Day 11 of my 30 Days of Dinners series. These sloppy joes were especially fast to make and so delicious! Ground turkey, onion, tomato paste and a little sloppy joe seasoning is all it takes.

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Why You’ll Love These Turkey Sloppy Joes

Ready in 15 minutes. Cook the onion, brown the turkey, stir in the sauce and you’re done.
Just 5 ingredients. Onion, ground turkey, tomato paste, water and sloppy joe seasoning, plus your buns.
363 calories and 26g protein. A full, satisfying sandwich that fits easily into a calorie deficit.
No ketchup or brown sugar. Tomato paste gives a rich, thick sauce without the ketchup and brown sugar most recipes call for.
Sized for two. Half a pound of turkey makes two hearty sandwiches, and it’s easy to double.

Ingredients for Turkey Sloppy Joes

Ground turkey: I use 90% lean ground turkey. It has enough fat to stay juicy and flavorful but is still much lighter than ground beef. 93% or 99% lean works too and lowers the calories a little.
Onion: Half an onion, chopped, adds sweetness and texture to the filling.
Tomato paste: This is the secret to a thick, rich sauce with no ketchup or brown sugar.
Sloppy joe seasoning: A store-bought sloppy joe seasoning blend does all the work. I used Food Club, my grocery store brand, but any brand works.
Hamburger buns: I use Dave’s Killer Bread hamburger buns. They’re hearty, full of seeds and whole grains, and add fiber.

The full ingredient amounts are in the printable recipe card below.

How to Make Turkey Sloppy Joes

Soften the onion. Spray a skillet with cooking spray and cook the chopped onion over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, just until soft.
Brown the turkey. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks.
Make the sauce. Stir in the tomato paste, water and sloppy joe seasoning. Heat and stir until everything is well combined and saucy.
Build your sandwich. Scoop the turkey mixture onto toasted hamburger buns and top with coleslaw.

Light Coleslaw for Sloppy Joes

A cool, crunchy coleslaw is the perfect topping for a warm, saucy sloppy joe, and this one is only 52 calories a serving. Mix 2 tablespoons of light mayo, 1 tablespoon of plain Greek yogurt, 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon of Equal and a pinch of salt, then stir it into 2 cups of shredded cabbage. Pile it right on top of your sloppy joe or serve it on the side.

Nutrition Per Serving

One turkey sloppy joe (half the recipe, on a Dave’s Killer Bread bun) has about 363 calories, 26g protein, 38g carbs, 5g fiber and 12g fat. The coleslaw adds 52 calories, 1.5g protein, 4.5g carbs and 3.5g fat, for a 415 calorie plate. Want to see how this fits your day? Plug it into my free calorie and macro calculator.

Tips for the Best Turkey Sloppy Joes

Toast the buns. A toasted bun holds up to the saucy filling and doesn’t get soggy.
Break the turkey up small. Fine crumbles soak up more sauce and give you that classic sloppy joe texture.
Adjust the water. Add a splash more water if you like it saucier, or simmer a minute longer to thicken it.
Don’t skip the slaw. The crunch and tang balance the rich, savory filling.

Variations and Substitutions

Leaner turkey: Use 99% lean ground turkey to save about 40 calories per sandwich.
Other meats: Lean ground beef or ground chicken work the same way.
Add veggies: Cook a diced bell pepper with the onion for more volume.
Low carb: Serve the filling in lettuce wraps or over a baked potato instead of a bun.
Homemade seasoning: No packet? Use 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon dry mustard, salt and pepper.

Storage and Meal Prep

Keep leftover sloppy joe filling in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat it in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of water. The cooked filling also freezes well for up to 3 months. Store the coleslaw separately and eat it within 2 days, since the cabbage softens over time.

Turkey Sloppy Joes FAQs

Are turkey sloppy joes healthy?

Yes. Lean ground turkey is high in protein and lower in fat than ground beef, and this version uses tomato paste instead of ketchup and brown sugar. Each sandwich has 363 calories and 26 grams of protein.

How do you keep turkey sloppy joes from being bland?

Ground turkey is milder than beef, so season it well. A good sloppy joe seasoning and tomato paste give it a rich, savory flavor, and cooking the onion first adds sweetness.

Can I make turkey sloppy joes ahead of time?

Absolutely. Make the filling up to 4 days ahead and reheat it with a splash of water. It’s a great meal prep lunch or dinner.

Can I freeze sloppy joe meat?

Yes. Let the filling cool, then freeze it in a freezer bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stove.

What goes with turkey sloppy joes?

Coleslaw is my favorite, either on top or on the side. Roasted green beans, a side salad, cucumber slices or baked sweet potato fries are also great low calorie sides.

Turkey Sloppy Joes

Saucy, savory turkey sloppy joes made with 5 ingredients in 15 minutes, topped with a light, creamy coleslaw. 363 calories and 26g protein per sandwich.

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Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: turkey sloppy joes

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 15

Servings: sandwiches

Calories: 363cal

Equipment

Large skillet

Ingredients

Sloppy Joes

½ onion chopped
8 ounces ground turkey 90% lean
¼ cup tomato paste
¼ cup water
2 tablespoons sloppy joe seasoning I used Food Club
2 Dave’s Killer Bread hamburger buns toasted
cooking spray

Coleslaw (optional)

2 cups shredded cabbage
2 tablespoons light mayo
1 tablespoon plain Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Equal sugar substitute
salt to taste

Instructions

Spray a skillet with cooking spray and cook the chopped onion over medium heat just until soft, 3 to 4 minutes.
Add the ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles.
Add the tomato paste, water and sloppy joe seasoning. Heat and stir until well combined.
For the coleslaw, mix the mayo, yogurt, vinegar, Equal and salt together, then stir in the shredded cabbage.
Scoop the turkey mixture onto toasted hamburger buns and top with coleslaw.

Notes

Nutrition: Per sandwich without coleslaw. The coleslaw adds 52 calories, 1.5g protein, 4.5g carbs and 3.5g fat per serving.

Storage: Refrigerate the filling up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months. Store coleslaw separately and eat within 2 days.

Substitutions: Use 99% lean turkey to save about 40 calories, or swap in lean ground beef or chicken. Serve in lettuce wraps for a low carb option.