Root Beer Turkey Sloppy Joes

Quick and easy, these Root Beer Turkey Sloppy Joes are a delicious weeknight dinner!

These sloppy joes aren't fancy and aren't super photogenic. However, the taste is spectacular. The root beer is such a fun addition to the classic sloppy joe. The turkey keeps this lighter but still, of course, really meaty.

Sometimes, when I make dishes that have a meat sauce, I like to substitute a bit of the meat with vegetables. Shredded carrots and zucchini are especially easy to blend in and incorporate. Diced mushrooms make a great meat substitute too. Just soften the veggies of your choice before the onion to release as much water out of them as possible. Then add your onion and continue on with the recipe.

Root Beer Turkey Sloppy Joes
Serves 4
Adapted from Cooking Light

• 12 oz ground turkey
• 3/4 cup diced onion (I used both red and yellow onion)
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup chili sauce
• 1/4 cup root beer
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced (2 teaspoons)
• 2 teaspoons light tasting oil
• 1 teaspoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• salt & pepper, to taste
• hot sauce, to taste (optional)
• 4 whole wheat hamburger buns, toasted

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add oil. Add onion and cook for about 3 minutes, or until softened slightly. Add turkey and cook for about 4 minutes. 

Crumble the turkey and add the tomato sauce, chili sauce, root beer, mustard, worcestershire, garlic, tomato paste, and chili powder. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes, or until thickened slightly. Taste for seasoning, adding hot sauce, salt, and pepper if needed. 

To serve, divide the meat mixture among the four buns and enjoy!