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Healthy sloppy joes with fresh ingredients on a plate

Healthy Sloppy Joes

A nutritious and flavorful twist on the classic Sloppy Joes, made with lean meat and fresh vegetables, ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or gatherings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Sloppy Joes
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 lb lean ground turkey (or chicken, 93% lean or higher)
  • 1 medium yellow onion (diced)
  • 1 medium bell pepper (any color, diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 15 ounce tomato sauce (unsalted, 1 can)
  • 6 ounce tomato paste (1 can)
  • 1/4 cup water or bone broth
  • 2 tbsp coconut aminos (or low-sodium soy sauce/tamari)
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (use vegan/anchovy-free version if needed)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • to taste Salt and black pepper
  • Buns of choice (for serving - lettuce wraps, potato buns, or whole wheat buns)

Method
 

Cooking
  1. Heat the oil in a large 12-inch skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the diced onion and bell pepper and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and starting to caramelize at the edges.
  3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Add the ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned all over with no pink remaining. Drain off any excess fat if necessary.
  5. Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, water or bone broth, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
  6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
  8. If the sauce is too thin, uncover and cook for 3-5 more minutes to thicken.
  9. Serve the sloppy joe mixture warm on toasted buns or lettuce wraps.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding diced mushrooms or grated zucchini to the meat mixture. Taste before serving to adjust the seasoning; adding more Worcestershire or spices can enhance flavor. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.