The first time I ever heard of sloppy joes was when I was watching that movie with the Olsen twins. I think it’s called It Takes Two? With Kirstie Alley and they go to summer camp and find out that they were twins separated at birth, then they switch places? There’s a scene in the cafeteria where they have sloppy joes and then they have a food fight. Food fights always look fun in the movies, but the idea of being literally covered in food in real life is surprisingly unappealing to me. As much as I love food, I do not love it on my body instead of in it.
Sloppy joes were just never something my mom made, so when I did finally have one, it seemed like a special treat and I fell in love. I tried to make them once before with no ketchup (I used tomato sauce) and no sugar. It tasted like bad meat sauce. It was a total failure, and I’m pretty sure I threw a temper tantrum during the time Steve ate his entire serving and went back for seconds. Anyway, I knew I needed to try again.
This time, I stuck to the simple and traditional, and ended up with a total treat that made me feel like a little kid again. It was totally messy, and got all over my face and clothes in the best way possible. It had that sweetness you imagine with a sloppy joe without any refined sugar, and the sriracha adds a little kick that I love. But then again, I put sriracha on just about everything.
This is one of those perfect healthy meal for anyone who has kids (or lives with people that act like kids), or just likes simple, delicious foods. It’s healthy, nutritious, super filling and so easy to make that you will be making it over and over again!
Ingredients
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 sweet onion, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb lean ground turkey (I used 93%)
- 3/4 cup reduced sugar ketchup
- 2-3 tsp molasses
- pinch each salt and pepper
- dash worcestershire sauce
- dash sriracha or other hot sauce, optional
- whole grain buns for serving (whole wheat, brown rice, etc.), optional
Instructions
- In a large pan over medium heat, saute onion, bell pepper and garlic in olive oil until tender and fragrant, about 7-10 minutes. Add ground turkey and brown until cooked throughout.
- Stir in ketchup, molasses, salt, pepper, worcestershire and sriracha. Bring to a light boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, about 30 minutes.
- Serve immediately on buns, or over a salad, or any way you like.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says
I used to love sloppy joes. They used to be my favorite school lunch food. So yummy and so messy. I haven’t had one in ages though. Now I want one.
Ari says
I love the way food can take us back in time, and this is totally one of those meals for me!
Heather says
BIG GOOEY MESSY BURGERS! MK & A are always what I think of when I eat sloppy joes, too!
Ari says
Hahaha of course because we are the same human. 😉 xoxoxo
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says
I haven’t had a sloppy joe in a very, very long time. I’m with Heather, I think of messy and gooey. Perfect for a Tide commercial!
Ari says
Oooohhh totally! Although, I find almost all food equally messy because I just kind of fail at the not spilling things everywhere all of the time thing. 😉
Madeline @ Food Fitness and Family says
I love a good sloppy joe!
Ari says
They are totally underrated!
Kierston @candyfit says
Would you believe I’ve never had a sloppy joe?!
Ari says
Whaaaaat???? We need to change this ASAP! I rediscovered my love for them when I had a fancy one at a burger place recently with roasted green chiles and pepperjack. It was ridiculously good.
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
Sloppy joes were always a treat when my mom made them too… YUM!!
Ari says
I love that they are something whole families can enjoy!
Jamie @ couchtoironwoman says
We have turkey sloppy joes often! We found a recipe from Pillsbury where you put the meat mixture into pre-cooked biscuits, fold them over and then bake it in the oven. That’s great too!
Ari says
Ummmm WHAT? I need that, like yesterday.
Linz @ Itz Linz says
ahh the olsen twins and it takes two haha i remember that!! this look deeee-licious!
Ari says
YAY I’m glad you remember that part of the movie too! Thanks girl!
Katy @ KatysKitchen says
I used to be obsessed with the Olsen twin movies. I used to love when they did “detective work”. Classic. I think I’ve only had sloppy joes once or twice. I bet yours taste awesome with siracha!
Ari says
Hahaha I think that’s the only film of theirs I’ve seen, but I can recite the lines to just about every episode of Full House. 😉
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
Ahhhhh! I have missed you!!!!! Where have you been the past month, wtf! LOL! But I am glad to see you’re back, fully force with this scrumptiousness!!! 😀
Ari says
What do you mean? I didn’t go anywhere! I mean, I physically left my state, but I haven’t stopped posting. 🙂
Cham soc be says
Look so delicious Ari. Just 45 minutes for good healthy meal and I think that my son will feel happy. Thanks so much Ari lol.