Turkey Sloppy Joes

Turkey Sloppy Joes are a twist on the childhood classic. Topped with an easy homemade cheese sauce make these a family favorite. 

What is it about Sloppy Joes that make them an instant hit with the kiddos? I think it might be the name. Or maybe it’s the fact that they live up to their name and are a truly messy food, and let’s be honest. Kiddos LOVE that.

But don’t think this is a kids only dish, Turkey Sloppy Joes are a favorite with the adults too. The sweet n’ savory sauce piled on the bun invokes all kinds of childhood memories for me. Sloppy Joes were one of those meals that we had growing up. They are super easy making them perfect for busy family weeknights.

This version of sloppy joes is elevated to the next level with an easy homemade cheese sauce. I’m telling you, friends. You’re going to want to add these to your weeknight menu ASAP.

What ingredients do you need to make Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes?

Instead of grabbing a can of sloppy joe mix, you’ll be making your own sauce for this with just a few key ingredients that you probably already have in your fridge and pantry:

• TOMATO SAUCE
• WHITE WINE VINEGAR: Adds a touch more acidity to the sauce.
• BROWN SUGAR: Adds that classic touch of sweetness that we are used to with Sloppy Joes.
• WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE: Deepens the flavor of the sauce. Don’t leave this out!
• GROUND MUSTARD
• CAYENNE: This is optional, but does at a light kick to the sauce. I used just a sprinkle since I was feeding it to my kiddos.

To bulk up the sauce you’ll obviously need, as the name of the recipe suggests, ground turkey. I prefer this to the traditional ground beef version of sloppy joes. You’ll also need onion.

DES’ PRO TIP: If you’ve got kiddos that aren’t onion fans, just mince them really fine so they don’t notice them. I wouldn’t leave them out they add to the flavor of the final dish.

Now the cheese sauce is totally an optional addition to this recipe but I think it totally takes these to the next level. It too, is easy to make. You’ll need:

• UNSALTED BUTTER: This helps you control the salt content of the cheese sauce. Cheese is salty so you want to make sure you don’t over do it.
• FLOUR: This will act as the thickener for the cheese sauce.
• WHOLE MILK: I prefer to use whole milk for the richness. 2% would also work but for the best results don’t use fat free.
• CREAM CHEESE: Adds an extra decadence to the sauce.
• SHREDDED CHEDDAR CHEESE: As always, I recommend shredding it yourself. I find that it tastes so much better.

How do you make Sloppy Joes?

These are pretty easy to make, the longest cooking part involves letting the sauce cook down so that it coats the meat. It’ll take about 30ish minutes.

• STEP #1: In a bowl whisk together tomato sauce, white wine vinegar, worcestershire sauce, granulated garlic, ground mustard, cayenne, brown sugar and salt and pepper.
• STEP #2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook onions and ground turkey until brown and cooked through
• STEP #3: Add tomato mixture to the pan, stir to combined. Bring to a boil. Reduce to medium low and allow to cook 30-40 minutes, or until sauce reduces and is thick.
• STEP #4: While the meat mixture is cooking, make the cheese sauce. In a sauce pan over medium heat, melt butter. When butter has melted, whisk in flour. Cook 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk. Stir in cream cheese and shredded cheddar and cook until melted. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• STEP #5: Preheat your broiler. Toast the hamburger buns. Scoop the turkey mixture onto the bun, top with cheese sauce. Serve.

You guys, my kiddos LOVED these. And the added cheese sauce leveled up these Turkey Sloppy Joes to a meal that the adults love too. You’ve got to try them.

Looking for a side dish to serve alongside?

• Jo Jo Potato Wedges
• Sauteed Broccoli
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Fried Onion Rings

Want more Sloppy Joe Variations? Here are some great ones!

• Chorizo Sloppy Joes
• Italian Sloppy Joes
• Sriracha BBQ Sloppy Joes
• Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes from Dinner then Dessert

Note: This post was originally posted in 2009. It was updated in 2021 with new photos, step by step instructions and nutrition information.

Turkey Sloppy Joes

Turkey Sloppy Joes are a twist on the childhood classic. Topped with an easy homemade cheese sauce make these a family favorite. 

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Main Dishes

Cuisine American

Servings 6 Servings

Calories 640 kcal

Ingredients

  

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Ingredients:

• ▢ 1 14.5 ounce can tomato sauce
• ▢ 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• ▢ 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
• ▢ sprinkle of cayenne
• ▢ 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ▢ 1/2 onion diced
• ▢ 1 pound ground turkey
• ▢ 6 hamburger buns

Cheese Sauce Ingredients:

• ▢ 2 tablespoons butter
• ▢ 1 tablespoon flour
• ▢ 1 cup whole milk
• ▢ 2 ounces cream cheese softened
• ▢ 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ▢ kosher salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• ▢
  In a bowl whisk together tomato sauce, white wine vinegar, worcestershire sauce, granulated garlic, ground mustard, cayenne, brown sugar and salt and pepper.
• ▢
  Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook onions and ground turkey until brown and cooked through.
• ▢
  Add tomato mixture to the pan, stir to combined. Bring to a boil. Reduce to medium low and allow to cook 30-40 minutes, or until sauce reduces and is thick.
• ▢
  While the meat mixture is cooking, make the cheese sauce. In a sauce pan over medium heat, melt butter. When butter has melted, whisk in flour. Cook 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk. Stir in cream cheese and shredded cheddar and cook until melted. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• ▢
  Preheat your broiler. Toast the hamburger buns.
• ▢
  Scoop the turkey mixture onto the bun, top with cheese sauce. Serve.

Notes

Unlike hamburger there shouldn't be a lot of fat from the turkey so I don't strain it. But if you need to, feel free.

Mixture should not be overly saucy. The meat will be coated in the sauce, but you won't have sauce dripping from the spoon when you scoop up the mixture.

Whole wheat burger buns are also a great option/

Nutrition information for estimation purposes only.

Nutrition

Calories: 640kcalCarbohydrates: 31.4gProtein: 42.1gFat: 39.9gSaturated Fat: 19.4gCholesterol: 161mgSodium: 1097mgFiber: 2.2gSugar: 10g

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Keywords: cheese sauce, ground turkey, sloppy joes