Description

These deliciously sweet, tangy and messy Turkey Sloppy Joes are a little more healthy than typical sloppy joes because they are made without ketchup or refined sugar, they have additional stealthy veggies added in (in the form of shredded zucchini) and they are made with lean ground turkey instead of beef.

Ingredients

Scale

2 teaspoons avocado oil or organic canola oil
1 cup finely chopped sweet yellow onion
20 ounces ground turkey, preferably 7% fat
1 small zucchini, shredded
1 teaspoon dry thyme
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
14 ounces canned tomato sauce
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
8 toasted hamburger buns, whole wheat or gluten-free if desired

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Instructions

Swirl oil in the bottom of a large non-stick skillet and place over medium-high heat. Add onion, and let cook, stirring often until the onions are softened, lightly caramelized and browned and starting to become translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Add turkey and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon until the turkey is browned and no longer pink, 4 to 5 minutes.
Stir in zucchini, thyme and garlic powder and cook until the zucchini has released its juices and is very soft, 4 to 5 minutes.
Add tomato sauce, maple syrup, Worcestershire, soy sauce and vinegar and cook, stirring often until the sauce is thick and the zucchini is broken down, 3 to 5 minutes.
Spoon the meat mixture onto buns and serve immediately.

Notes

Ingredient Note: Many packages of ground turkey are 20 ounces, but if yours happens to be 16 ounces, this recipe works just fine too. Use a small can of tomato sauce (8-ounces) and you will get about 1 ½ cups of the meat mixture (6 servings.)

Make Ahead: Can be prepared through step 4 up to 3 days ahead. Keep the turkey mixture refrigerated in a re-sealable container. Re-heat in a non-stick skillet over medium heat stirring occasionally until steaming hot. Serve on toasted buns. Alternatively reheat the turkey mixture in the microwave, about 1 min 30 seconds per serving. Freeze up to 3 months. We recommend reheating thawed turkey mixture on the stovetop. Simmer to thicken the gravy/sauce if the mixture seems watery.

Active Time: 25 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Category: Main Course
Method: Stove Top
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4.5 cups
Calories: 395
Sugar: 14 g
Fat: 11 g
Carbohydrates: 49 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 28 g