Not My Mom's Sloppy Joes
We've updated this classic childhood favorite by using lower fat ground turkey, adding some healthy vegetables to the sauce, and serving them on whole grain rolls.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground turkey, beef, or meatless curmbles or use 28 - 30 oz. pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 yellow onion finely diced
- 1 red, orange, or yellow bell pepper finely diced
- 1 carrot finely diced
- 15 oz. tomato sauce
- 1 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce (for a vegetarian and gluten-free option use 6 drops hot sauce and 1/4 tsp. sugar per each Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce)
- 2 Tbsp. ketchup
- 8 whole wheat buns (use wheat/gluten-free, if needed) or use taco shells
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the meat in its own juices until it is almost cooked through. (If you are using meatless crumbles or the beans, add them after the tomato sauce instead.)
- Drain off the excess liquid, if necessary, and add the diced vegetables to the skillet (if you are making a meatless version, heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil in the skillet before adding the vegetables).
- Sauté the mixture for 2 minutes and add all the remaining ingredients, except the buns. Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat, cover the skillet, and simmer it for 15 - 20 minutes until the vegetables are tender. (At this point you can refrigerate or freeze the mixture, or proceed to the next step.)
- To serve the sandwiches, lightly toast the buns and fill each one with a large spoonful of the meat mixture.
Slow Cooker Directions
- Place all ingredients except the buns in the slow cooker. (There's no need to brown the meat first). Cook on low for 8 - 10 hours or on high for 5 - 6 hours. (Slow cooker cooking times may vary—Get to know your slow cooker and, if necessary, adjust cooking times accordingly.)
Notes
Do Ahead or Delegate: Dice the onion, bell pepper, and carrot, combine the ingredients for the sauce, prepare and refrigerate the meat (or meatless) mixture or fully prepare and refrigerate or freeze the filling.
Scramble Flavor Booster: Sprinkle the sandwich filling with hot pepper sauce, such as Tabasco.
Tip: To avoid soggy bread, serve the Sloppy Joes with a slotted spoon so the excess juices stay behind. They’re a little less sloppy that way! (Some people like to eat Sloppy Joes in a taco shell instead of a bun.)
Nutritional Information Per Serving (% based upon daily values): Calories 261, Total Fat: 10g, 15%; Saturated Fat: 2g, 5%; Cholesterol: 40mg, 15%; Sodium: 550mg, 22%; Total Carbohydrate: 30g, 10%; Dietary Fiber: 4g, 16%; Sugar: 5g; Protein: 17g
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