Sweet and Spicy Sloppy Joes

Total Time

Prep: 30 min. Cook: 4 hours

Makes

12 servings

Updated: Nov. 08, 2023
These sandwiches have been the go-to meal for my son's basketball team. Turkey is a wonderful change from ground beef and really absorbs all the flavors. I have also used this for a Friday the 13th celebration at work, calling it 13-ingredient sloppy joes. —Karen Hildebrand, LaBelle, Florida
Sweet and Spicy Sloppy Joes Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons canola oil
  • 3 pounds ground turkey
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1/2 medium green pepper, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 3 cups ketchup
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 12 hamburger buns, split
  • Optional: Coleslaw and dill pickle slices

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook turkey in batches until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles, 8-10 minutes per batch. Transfer meat to a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker. In the same skillet, cook the onion and green pepper until tender, 2-3 minutes. Add garlic, Worcestershire and red pepper flakes; cook 1 minute longer. Transfer to slow cooker.
  2. In a bowl, combine ketchup, water, brown sugar, mustard, salt and pepper; pour over meat. Cover and cook on low 4-5 hours or until flavors are blended. Serve on buns with toppings as desired.

Test Kitchen tips
  • Top with pickled jalapenos, fried onions or pickles for crunch.
  • Coleslaw tossed in a vinaigrette is great as a side or a topper on this sandwich.
  • Nutrition Facts

    1 sandwich: 390 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 1206mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 1g fiber), 27g protein.