Chef John's Turkey Sloppy Joes

These turkey sloppy joes make a very enjoyable lunch. Kept warm in a slow cooker, it could also work very nicely for a Super Bowl party. This recipe tastes enough like a traditional beef sloppy joe to provide that satisfying comfort food fix, yet it seems much lighter.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 394 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ cup cold water
• 2 tablespoons butter
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ⅓ cup chopped green onions
• 1 onion, diced
• ¾ cup ketchup
• 1 cup water, or as needed
• 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
• 6 hamburger buns, split
• ½ cup shredded white Cheddar cheese
• 1 ¼ pounds ground turkey

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Melt butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion in butter until lightly brown, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper.

Step 2

Mix turkey and 1/2 cup cold water into onions. Cook and stir, breaking up the meat, until it begins to brown, about 2 minutes. Add ketchup, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook and stir until liquid is reduced, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in Worcestershire sauce and cocoa powder. Cook, stirring frequently, until meat is cooked through and liquid is reduced and thick, 20 to 30 minutes, adding up to 1 cup water if needed.

Step 4

Preheat the oven's broiler. Set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source.

Step 5

Toast hamburger buns under the preheated broiler until golden, 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 6

Remove turkey mixture from the heat; mix in cheese and green onions. Serve on toasted hamburger buns.