Looking for a delicious way to change up your summer BBQ menu? Skip the traditional burgers and dogs and give these slimmed-down sloppy joes a shot instead. By trading out traditional beef with lean ground turkey and loading up with nutrient-dense veggies like onions, colorful peppers, savory garlic, and juicy tomatoes, you’ll enjoy a lighter twist on a classic. What’s more, these sloppy joes are packed with protein and bursting with so much flavor, you’ll get all the comfort and satisfaction you crave but with fewer calories to weigh you down.
Why ground turkey? We have nothing against ground beef. However, when you want a lighter meal, ground turkey is typically leaner, lower in saturated fat, and lower in calories. Because turkey is made up of 93% lean meat with 7% fat, compared to common varieties of ground beef that are 70% lean meat and 30% fat, turkey is often considered the heart-healthier choice. It’s also lower in calories. For 3 ounces of beef, you’ll consume around 235 calories with 16 grams of fat and 6.2 grams of saturated fat. Ground turkey, in contrast, has around 181 calories, 10 grams of fat, and only 2.5 grams of saturated fat.
However, if you don’t find ground turkey all that appealing, you do have options. For instance, you can choose ground beef that’s 93% lean for a similar nutrient profile to ground turkey. You’ll likely just have to pay more. For this recipe, the lower-cost ground turkey is the better choice, in our opinion, as the mild flavor of turkey pairs so well with the robust flavors of the spices, onions, peppers, garlic, and tomatoes.
We hope you’ll agree that these slimmed-down sloppy joes are perfect for summer gatherings. Whether you’re looking to make healthier food choices or just want to try something new, you can’t go wrong with this recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/2 cup yellow onion diced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 can Ro*tel®
- 1 six-ounce can tomato paste
- Water if needed
Instructions
- Turn the stove on to medium heat. Add ground turkey to the warmed non-stick skillet, breaking it into pieces with a spatula as it cooks.
- Once the turkey is cooked about halfway through (after around 5 minutes), stir in the onion, peppers, and garlic. Stir into the meat and allow it to cook for another 5 to 10 minutes until the onions and peppers soften and the meat is cooked through.
- Add the rest of the ingredients, stir to combine, and allow to simmer for 10 minutes until it reaches the desired consistency. Add water (1/4 cup at a time) if needed.
- Serve hot on top of your preferred bun. (We recommend Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain Burger Buns as they’re high in fiber and nutrients.)
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
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