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Turkey Lentil Sloppy Joes
These Turkey Lentil Sloppy Joes are actually telling a lie. Why is that? Because turkey sloppy joes don’t actually exist. Sloppy joes made with turkey are, technically, Sloppy Janes. Fortunately, these Sloppy-s are yummy enough you won’t about the terminology.
The hands on time for this dish is also very low. In about 10 minutes you will have this dish cooking and then it just sits on simmer while you chill, fix a side dish or whatever it is you like.
How to Make Turkey Lentil Sloppy Joes
First cook the turkey until no longer pink and remove to a plate.

Next cook the peppers, onion, garlic powder and tomato paste.

And it really is that simple. Add the remaining ingredients, bring to a boil and simmer. Done. Just-like-that! Perfect for a weeknight. Serve your turkey lentil sloppy joes on buns, sliders or in lettuce wraps. Top with yellow mustard, diced red onion and dill pickle chips.
Any leftovers will reheat well, or remix them into a taco salad, some nachos or blend with some eggs or farro for a hearty protein bowl.

Turkey Lentil Sloppy Joes

Notes
This dish ends up a bit on the spicy side. If you are planning to serve it to young children or prefer a milder dish simply half the cayenne powder and chili powder.
Ingredients
- 1lb lean ground turkey
- 1T plus 1t olive oil, divided
- 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1/2t garlic powder
- 1/4c diced red onion
- 4T tomato paste (I always use these to avoid wasting half cans all the time
- 1 large bay leaf
- 15oz tomato sauce
- 1c lentils, rinsed and sorted
- 2c water
- 3T Worcestershire sauce
- 2T yellow mustard
- 3t apple cider vinegar
- 3t light brown sugar
- 1T chili powder
- 1t ground pepper
- 1/2t cayenne
- To serve:
- 4 buns or 8-12 slider buns or 8-12 lettuce wraps (or any combination you like)
- yellow mustard
- diced red onions
- dill pickle chips
Instructions
- Heat 1t olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high. Cook the turkey, breaking up, until no longer pink. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Heat the remaining 1T of oil over medium-high. Add the bell pepper & red onion and cook until softened. Add garlic powder and tomato paste and cook 1 more minute.
- Return turkey to the pan along with the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer 30 minutes or until the lentils are tender.
- Serve warm on buns or lettuce wraps topped with yellow mustard, diced red onions and/or dill pickle chips.