Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website.
Prepare these turkey Sloppy Joes in a Crock Pot or on the stovetop. The childhood classic just got a little bit healthier and a little bit more convenient!
If you love Sloppy Joes, don’t miss this old fashioned Sloppy Joes recipe, a 4-ingredient crescent roll Sloppy Joe casserole, and this Sloppy Joe cornbread casserole, too!
This is an amazing recipe for turkey sloppy joes. We’ve gotten away from eating red meat so I have had to find new recipes for turkey and chicken. These sloppy joes will be in our monthly recipe rotation. This recipe is so much better than Manwich.
– Emily
Don’t get me wrong: there’s nothing wrong with using a can of Manwich sauce for quick Sloppy Joes. I was raised on the stuff, and my kids have become fond of it as well. But if I told you that I have a simple recipe for something even tastier, healthier, and easier, wouldn’t you want to give it a try? Best of all, you can prepare the ground turkey sloppy joes in a slow cooker or in a skillet on stovetop. Pick whichever method works best for you!
Ingredient Notes and Tips for Success
- I’ve shown ground turkey breast here, but you can sub with a mixture of ground white and dark meat turkey, or use ground beef, ground chicken, or ground pork.
- I like a sweet, thick barbecue sauce in this recipe, such as Sweet Baby Ray’s brand.
- Have hamburger buns and toppings on hand for serving your turkey sloppy joes. We love adding American cheese or cheddar cheese, dill pickle slices or bread and butter pickles, a traditional coleslaw recipe, or lettuce, tomato, and red onion.
- Even although browning the turkey, onion, and garlic is an extra step before adding the ingredients to a Crock Pot, don’t skip it! This is important for flavor and for draining off the excess grease.
- Cooking just for two? Cut all of the ingredients in half. The rest of the instructions remain the same. You can also freeze any leftovers for another meal (those instructions are provided below).
How to Make Turkey Sloppy Joes
You’ll find both the slow cooker and stovetop directions in the recipe card below. We love the Crock Pot option for busy weeknights, Super Bowl parties, or other gatherings where folks are serving themselves at different times. You can keep the meat and sauce on the warm setting so that it’s ready when you need it!
- Start by browning the turkey meat in a skillet with onion and garlic. That’s the flavorful base for your sandwiches.
- While the turkey cooks, you have a few minutes to whisk together a simple sweet-and-sour sauce.
- Transfer the sauce and the cooked turkey mixture to your slow cooker, where they will come together and stay warm until you’re ready to serve your turkey sloppy joes! This sauce is full of sweet and savory spices, and after simmering for a few hours in your Crock Pot, the flavor gets that much better. The delicious sauce also keeps the lean turkey meat nice and moist.
Serving Suggestions
Ground turkey sloppy joes are delicious alongside potato chips or baked potato wedges, vinegar coleslaw, a house salad with candied pecans, garlic parmesan zucchini casserole, Duke’s homemade mac and cheese, Jiffy corn casserole, 3-ingredient sour cream muffins, cucumber dill salad, or this easy pasta salad.
Preparation and Storage Tips
- Make Ahead: Prepare the Sloppy Joe mixture in advance. Keep it covered on the WARM setting in your slow cooker for a few hours while your family and friends serve themselves. It’s perfect for a party!
- How to Store: Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- How to Reheat: Warm leftovers in a skillet on the stovetop over low heat, just until heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 1 minute.
- There are so many ways to use up leftovers! Stuff the ground turkey Sloppy Joe meat inside baked potatoes and finish them off with shredded cheddar cheese. You can also use the meat in tacos, quesadillas, nachos, wraps, on toast, or on salads.
Delicious! And easy too!
– Lisa
HOMEMADE SLOPPY JOE SAUCE
In a large bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients. Pour the sauce over the meat mixture in the skillet; stir. Cover and simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Spoon the meat onto sandwich buns, add desired toppings, and serve.
Serving: 1/8 of the turkey and sauce mixtureCalories: 223kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 27gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 842mgPotassium: 553mgFiber: 1gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 249IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 2mg
Turkey Sloppy Joe Recipe Variations
- For a sweeter sauce, add a little bit of brown sugar to taste.
- If you want spicy sloppy joes, season the turkey and sauce with cayenne.
- Include diced bell pepper in the skillet with the turkey, onion, and garlic for a little bit of extra veggies in the dish.
More Sloppy Joe Recipes to Try
Originally published in October, 2014, this post was updated in February, 2025.
