Crockpot Sloppy Joes

A healthier take on classic sloppy joes that sneaks in vegetables and uses lean ground turkey to reduce fat content while maintaining flavor.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3–4 hours on high
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs lean ground turkey
  • 1 medium onion, grated
  • ¾ cup carrot, grated
  • 2 small zucchinis, grated
  • 2 small yellow squash, grated
  • 2 cans sloppy joe sauce
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 6–12 whole grain buns
  • 6 slices cheddar cheese

Directions

  1. Turn crockpot to high and set aside.
  2. Brown ground turkey in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. While browning, grate onion, carrot, zucchini, and yellow squash using a food processor or box grater.
  3. Drain fat and liquid from browned turkey. Transfer to crockpot and sprinkle with chili powder.
  4. Heat non-stick skillet. Sauté grated vegetables with pepper until water evaporates and vegetables are tender, approximately 7 minutes.
  5. Pour cooked vegetables over meat in crockpot.
  6. Pour sloppy joe sauce over vegetables and turkey. Stir to coat evenly.
  7. Cover and cook 3–4 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve over toasted buns or lettuce wraps.

Nutrition Facts Per serving

517 calories, 49g protein, 44g carbs, 17g fat, 7g fiber

Serving Suggestions

Serve with a bagged salad mix, or fresh corn on the cob or green beans during summer months.

About the Author

Megan Lautz, MS, RD, CSCS, TSAC-F is a Registered Dietitian and coach who specializes in firefighter nutrition. Megan's mission is to help firefighters perform better, recover faster, and enjoy long healthy retirements. Megan is the owner of RescueRD LLC, which provides nutrition seminars and coaching for tactical athletes across the country. Check out @Rescue.RD on Facebook and Instagram.