Sloppy Maple-BBQ Turkey Joes

Sloppy Maple-BBQ Turkey Joes from Everyday Magazine
1Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2lbs ground turkey
1Tbsp poultry seasoning
Salt and pepper
1 small red bell pepper, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup dark amber pure maple syrup
About 3Tbsp soy sauce
About 2Tbsp cider vinegar
About 2Tbsp brown sugar
1 rounded Tbsp dijon mustard
8 soft burger rolls, split
Shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese, chopped scallions,
and chopped pickled for topping

Directions:  In a large skillet, heat the EVOO, 1 turn of the pan, over medium-high heat.  Add the turkey and season with the poultry seasoning, salt and pepper.  Cook until browned, then stir in the bell pepper, onion and garlic and cook until vegetables are tender, 5 or 6  minutes.  In a bowl, stir together the tomato sauce, maple syrup, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar and mustard.  Pour the sauce over the meat and simmer over medium-low heat for a few minutes to combine the flavors.  Serve the sloppy turkey on the rolls with toppings.

Here's what you'll need:

Cut up the pepper, onion, and garlic.

Put some olive oil in a pan and then add the ground turkey.

Once the turkey is browned, add the veggies.

As the veggies are cooking, combine the tomato sauce, maple syrup, brown sugar, cider vinegar, soy sauce, and mustard.

Add the sauce to the mixture and let it simmer.

Here's what you'll end up with:

Our Thoughts:

This sloppy joe dish was good.  I don't normally put red pepper in my sloppy joes.  Green pepper could be substituted (just buy whatever is cheapest) without changing the flavor but keeping the texture.

As far as the sauce is concerned, I really think that this sauce is no better than a store-bought canned sauce but it took more ingredients.  Luckily, I had all of the ingredients on hand but if I were to go out and buy each one just to make this one sauce it would have been pricey.

The one thing that did definitely add flavor to the sloppy joe is the addition of the poultry seasoning while the ground turkey was cooking.  While eating the sandwich, I could really taste the depth that the poultry seasoning added and I will definitely do that next time.

I served this with one of our new "go-to" recipes.  Scott actually prefers this roasted acorn squash to normal baked french fries.  If you know my husband then you know that is saying a lot.

Hope you enjoy!
April