Loved “sloppy Joes” as a kid. Messy by design and delicious. These days the aim is still delicious but, lighter more healthy choices.
Using lean ground turkey and the hearty lentil beans, is a great alternative to preparing this traditional meat-centric meal that still feels substantial and comforting without sacrificing the flavor.
This recipe makes enough for twelve servings. You can easily freeze extra servings in freezer bags for a fast, healthy weeknight meal…. or skip the bun, and enjoy it as chili.
Turkey Lentil Joe’s
Serves 12
Adapted from allrecipes
Ingredients:
1 (32-ounce) carton reduced-sodium chicken broth
1-1/2 cups brown lentils
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1 pound ground turkey
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1/3 cup coarsely chopped pimiento-stuffed green olives
3 tablespoons chili powder
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
Hamburger buns
Optional: Thinly sliced red onion and Kosher pickles
Directions:
Bring broth to a boil in a Dutch oven. Stir in lentils; return to boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered until tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain in a colander.
Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and carrot; cook until tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Add turkey and garlic; cook, stirring to break up lumps, until turkey is browned. Drain any oil.
Stir in tomatoes, olives, chili powder, tomato paste, and vinegar. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened, about 8 minutes. Stir in cooked lentils; cook until heated through, about 2 minutes more. Serve on buns with red onion and pickles, if using.
Enjoy!
Tomatoes on the Vine 
We love chili and my husband would happily devour a couple of these yummy sandwiches!
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That sounds like a healthy winner for this cold weather! Love it.
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The filling sounds really delicious. Hope you have a good weekend, Diane
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I like your healthy version of this classic.
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What a great idea! I'd love to try them.
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I always make soup with lentils. You make me realize I need to branch out.
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Wow! A blast from the past with a superb twist!!! Sloppy Joe’s were my favorite cafeteria lunch item while in elementary and junior high school, but it wasn’t as healthy as this. YUMMO!
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Sounds yummy with olives added to the mix.
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sloppy joes are still a favorite in our house, and we love a turkey version too! the addition of brown lentils is brilliant. 🙂
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We eat sloppy joes now and then, and I have to try your version with turkey and lentils, sounds good! Thanks, Velva!
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What a great dish! MUCH healthier than regular Sloppy Joes, and tasteir, I'll bet. Really creative — thanks.
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Hi Velva, since you are still on my reading list on Blogger, and I'm back blogging again…can't help but printing out the 'unusual' yummy and healthy Sloppy Joes you made with ground turkey and lentils. Thanks for sharing!
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We don't have s;oppy joes here in Australia but if we did I'd like these lentil ones the best
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شركة مكافحة حشرات بالرياض شركة مكافحة النمل الابيض بالرياضشركة مكافحة الصراصير بالرياض شركة مكافحة الفئران بالرياض شركة رش مبيدات بالرياض
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