Introduction

These Veggie-Loaded Turkey Sloppy Joes are a delicious and nutritious twist on the classic comfort food. Packed with grated veggies and flavorful sauce, they make a quick and easy meal the whole family will love.

A close-up view of a sandwich on a white marbled surface, featuring a soft, shiny brown bun split in half. The bottom half holds a thick, textured layer of crumbled filling that is light brown with bits of orange and green mixed throughout, indicating vegetables and herbs. The top half bun is slightly lifted, showing the filling piled generously and spilling slightly over the sides. In the background, two similar sandwiches are softly blurred, resting on the same white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon olive oil
¾ cup finely chopped onion
1 large carrot, peeled and grated
1 small zucchini, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
1 pound ground turkey
2 cups baby spinach, chopped
3 Tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons brown sugar, or honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 Tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
⅓ cup water
6 whole wheat hamburger buns, or other sandwich rolls of your choice, toasted

Instructions

Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 2: Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and soft, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 3: Stir in the grated carrot and zucchini, and cook to release most of their moisture, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Step 4: Once the vegetables are soft and cooked down, add the minced garlic, kosher salt, and ground pepper. Cook for an additional minute.
Step 5: Add the ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Continue cooking until the turkey is browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Step 6: While the turkey cooks, prepare the sauce by stirring together the tomato paste, brown sugar (or honey/maple syrup), Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce (or tamari), and water in a small bowl.
Step 7: Once the turkey is cooked and crumbled, stir in the chopped spinach and pour in the prepared sauce. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring, until the sauce coats the meat and flavors combine, about 2 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Step 8: Scoop about ¾ cup of the warm sloppy joe mixture onto each toasted bun and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

Substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or lean ground beef if preferred.
If you don’t want to grate the carrot and zucchini, finely chop them by hand or pulse in a food processor until finely chopped.
Serve the sloppy joe mixture over rice or quinoa instead of buns for a gluten-free option.
Make the mixture ahead of time; store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheat with a splash of water to maintain moisture.
Adjust the sauce flavor by adding more brown sugar or Worcestershire sauce to suit your taste.
For a gluten-free version, use gluten free Worcestershire sauce, tamari, and buns or serve over gluten free grains.
Adding extra water towards the end of cooking will thin the sauce if desired.

Storage

Store leftover sloppy joe mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water to restore moisture. The buns are best toasted fresh, but can be stored separately at room temperature for a day.

How to Serve

The image shows a sandwich with a toasted brown bun, split into a top and bottom layer. Between the bun layers is a thick filling made of crumbled, cooked tofu mixed with green spinach leaves and orange carrot bits, giving it a textured and colorful look. The sandwich sits on a light wooden board that rests on a white marbled surface. In the background, two more similar sandwiches are slightly out of focus. The overall setting is clean and bright, highlighting the sandwich’s warm colors and textures. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other vegetables in this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute or add vegetables like mushrooms, cauliflower rice, or bell peppers according to your preference. Just finely chop or grate them for best results.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely. The turkey mixture holds up well for up to 2 days in the fridge and can be quickly reheated for easy meals throughout the week.