Turkey Sloppy Joes are a twist on the childhood classic. Topped with an easy homemade cheese sauce make these a family favorite. 

What is it about Sloppy Joes that make them an instant hit with the kiddos? I think it might be the name. Or maybe it’s the fact that they live up to their name and are a truly messy food, and let’s be honest. Kiddos LOVE that.

But don’t think this is a kids only dish, Turkey Sloppy Joes are a favorite with the adults too. The sweet n’ savory sauce piled on the bun invokes all kinds of childhood memories for me. Sloppy Joes were one of those meals that we had growing up. They are super easy making them perfect for busy family weeknights.

This version of sloppy joes is elevated to the next level with an easy homemade cheese sauce. I’m telling you, friends. You’re going to want to add these to your weeknight menu ASAP.

What ingredients do you need to make Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes?

Instead of grabbing a can of sloppy joe mix, you’ll be making your own sauce for this with just a few key ingredients that you probably already have in your fridge and pantry:

  • TOMATO SAUCE
  • WHITE WINE VINEGAR: Adds a touch more acidity to the sauce.
  • BROWN SUGAR: Adds that classic touch of sweetness that we are used to with Sloppy Joes.
  • WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE: Deepens the flavor of the sauce. Don’t leave this out!
  • GROUND MUSTARD
  • CAYENNE: This is optional, but does at a light kick to the sauce. I used just a sprinkle since I was feeding it to my kiddos.

To bulk up the sauce you’ll obviously need, as the name of the recipe suggests, ground turkey. I prefer this to the traditional ground beef version of sloppy joes. You’ll also need onion.

DES’ PRO TIP: If you’ve got kiddos that aren’t onion fans, just mince them really fine so they don’t notice them. I wouldn’t leave them out they add to the flavor of the final dish.

Now the cheese sauce is totally an optional addition to this recipe but I think it totally takes these to the next level. It too, is easy to make. You’ll need:

  • UNSALTED BUTTER: This helps you control the salt content of the cheese sauce. Cheese is salty so you want to make sure you don’t over do it.
  • FLOUR: This will act as the thickener for the cheese sauce.
  • WHOLE MILK: I prefer to use whole milk for the richness. 2% would also work but for the best results don’t use fat free.
  • CREAM CHEESE: Adds an extra decadence to the sauce.
  • SHREDDED CHEDDAR CHEESE: As always, I recommend shredding it yourself. I find that it tastes so much better.

How do you make Sloppy Joes?

These are pretty easy to make, the longest cooking part involves letting the sauce cook down so that it coats the meat. It’ll take about 30ish minutes.

  • STEP #1: In a bowl whisk together tomato sauce, white wine vinegar, worcestershire sauce, granulated garlic, ground mustard, cayenne, brown sugar and salt and pepper.
  • STEP #2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook onions and ground turkey until brown and cooked through
  • STEP #3: Add tomato mixture to the pan, stir to combined. Bring to a boil. Reduce to medium low and allow to cook 30-40 minutes, or until sauce reduces and is thick.
  • STEP #4: While the meat mixture is cooking, make the cheese sauce. In a sauce pan over medium heat, melt butter. When butter has melted, whisk in flour. Cook 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk. Stir in cream cheese and shredded cheddar and cook until melted. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • STEP #5: Preheat your broiler. Toast the hamburger buns. Scoop the turkey mixture onto the bun, top with cheese sauce. Serve.

You guys, my kiddos LOVED these. And the added cheese sauce leveled up these Turkey Sloppy Joes to a meal that the adults love too. You’ve got to try them.

Looking for a side dish to serve alongside?

Want more Sloppy Joe Variations? Here are some great ones!

Note: This post was originally posted in 2009. It was updated in 2021 with new photos, step by step instructions and nutrition information.

Turkey Sloppy Joes
15m
Prep
40m
Cook
55m
Total

Servings

6

Ingredients

  • 1 14.5 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
  • sprinkle of cayenne
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 onion (diced)
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 6 hamburger buns
Cheese Sauce Ingredients:
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 ounces cream cheese (softened)
  • 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • kosher salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a bowl whisk together tomato sauce, white wine vinegar, worcestershire sauce, granulated garlic, ground mustard, cayenne, brown sugar and salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook onions and ground turkey until brown and cooked through.
  3. Add tomato mixture to the pan, stir to combined. Bring to a boil. Reduce to medium low and allow to cook 30-40 minutes, or until sauce reduces and is thick.
  4. While the meat mixture is cooking, make the cheese sauce. In a sauce pan over medium heat, melt butter. When butter has melted, whisk in flour. Cook 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk. Stir in cream cheese and shredded cheddar and cook until melted. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  5. Preheat your broiler. Toast the hamburger buns.
  6. Scoop the turkey mixture onto the bun, top with cheese sauce. Serve.
Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
Calories
640
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 40g 51%
Saturated Fat 19g 97%
Cholesterol 161mg 54%
Sodium 1097mg 48%
Total Carbohydrate 31g 11%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 42g
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
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Deseree

Whether it is cooking it, eating it, shopping for it or watching TV about it, food is one of my favorite things.

22 Reviews

  1. Deseree April 13, 2010

    You’re welcome Anne!

  2. Anne April 12, 2010

    My fam LOVED this! I made a jack cheese sauce instead as that was the only cheese in the house…yummmmmmm!!!! Another great recipe…thank you!

  3. Chelle March 26, 2010

    These were AMAZING!!! My 4 year old asked for seconds :o) I did omit the sugar though. Definitely going to check out your other recipes. Thanks!

  4. Lauren December 17, 2009

    These sandwiches look amazing! I’ve never had cheese sauce on a sloppy joe, but am looking forward to trying it out. Thanks for the great recipe.

  5. Deseree December 12, 2009

    Thank you David! I never would have thought to change the leftovers into a casserole. What a great idea!

  6. David December 12, 2009

    Great recipe! I substituted ground chicken for turkey though. I took the leftovers both sloppy joe and cheese sauce and made a casserole with it the next day. Delicious! Gave it to a friend who loved it as well.

  7. Deseree April 21, 2009

    Thanks Kevin and Kristen!
    You’re welcome Carrie!
    Savor: They are pretty tasty and probably healthier without the cheese sauce, but there is just something about melty cheese that makes my mouth water ;-)

  8. Savor April 21, 2009

    I truly apprecaite how you made this a bit healtheir using turkey! I am goign to make these without the cheese to start as they look for tasty and juicy on their own.

  9. Carrie Oliver April 21, 2009

    We were just talking the other day about making sloppy joes. The turkeys around here are gross but I do have some great beef chuck that I can chop up. This will be fun, thanks.

  10. Kristen April 21, 2009

    What a great idea! These sound like a much tastier version of regular sloppy joes.

  11. Kevin April 20, 2009

    Adding a cheese sauce to sloppy joes sounds really good!

  12. Deseree April 20, 2009

    Thanks Rita!
    Mindy: A tomato slice would be super yummy on this!
    RecipeGirl: Haha I think you are right, everyone grew up on these!
    Thanks Esi!
    Thank you Sara!
    Thanks Rmg12!
    I agree Karly!
    Thank you Carrie!
    Theresa: funny how cheese sauce can have that effect on you huh? ;-)

  13. Theresa April 20, 2009

    I never liked sloppy joes growing up, but I think I would like this version a lot! I’ll admit, it’s the cheese sauce that won me over :)

  14. Carrie April 20, 2009

    That cheese sauce looks amazing! I always thought that sloppy joes were so much better with cheese!

  15. Karly April 20, 2009

    Ooh, anything with cheese sauce just has to be delicious!

  16. Rmg12 April 20, 2009

    Ok we don’t have these over here (n such thing in the UK) and I was looking at what they were. Most looked foul, this one looks quite tasty however.

  17. sara April 19, 2009

    These look so yummy. I love sloppy joes and it’s great to see another version!

  18. Cheesy Sloppy Joes — Hamburger Recipes April 19, 2009

    […] a … A basic cheese sauce recipe is a good thing to have in your repertoire…. source: Cheesy Sloppy Joes, Life’s […]

  19. Esi April 18, 2009

    I love how you made these a little healthier, but still used the cheese sauce! They look great!

  20. RecipeGirl April 18, 2009

    I grew up with sloppy joe’s too… I think everyone did LOL! Looks like you made some fun changes to make it a bit more up-to-date!

  21. Mindy April 17, 2009

    When I was a kid, my mom used to make sloppy joes open-faced. She’d then put a slice of American cheese and a slice of tomato on top and then broil them until the cheese was all melty. I may have to try your version to recreate this childhood memory now that I don’t eat American cheese!

  22. Rita April 17, 2009

    Nice photo! I’ve made those before for Andrew, didn’t add cheese though, nice thought

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