Turkey Sloppy Joe Freezer Meal Recipe

I have got your new family favorite recipe. The Turkey Sloppy Joe freezer meal! Tender ground turkey simmered with onions, bell peppers, and a rich, tangy sauce. This mouthwatering combination delivers a punch of flavor that’s both comforting and satisfying, making it an instant hit with kids and adults alike. One that will be asked for over, and over, and over again. 

As a parent, having make-ahead meals ready to go is a lifesaver. Our Turkey Sloppy Joe recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights when you need a nutritious dinner on the table fast. Healthier than a normal sloppy joe, with a leaner protein option, this recipe is the perfect recipe for a make-ahead prep day. Prep a big batch, freeze it, and you’ll have a delicious meal ready whenever you need it, without the stress of last-minute cooking.

Come along as we guide you through this easy and delightful recipe. With step-by-step instructions and helpful tips, you’ll soon have a freezer stocked with delicious meals, ready to enjoy at a moment’s notice. Ready to get prepping, lets go!

Why You’ll Love this Easy Turkey Sloppy Joe

• Quick and Easy: This recipe is straightforward and can be prepped in under 30 minutes, making dinner time stress-free.
• Freezer-Friendly: Perfect for batch cooking, you can make a large amount and freeze portions for later use.
• Healthy Option: Using lean ground turkey makes this dish lower in fat and calories than traditional beef Sloppy Joes.
• Kid-Approved: The sweet and tangy sauce appeals to kids, making it a family favorite.
• Versatile: Serve it on buns, over rice, or even on baked potatoes for a variety of meal options.
• Budget-Friendly: Ingredients are affordable and readily available, making it an economical choice.

Turkey Sloppy Joe Freezer Meal Recipe

Tender ground turkey, simmered with onions, bell peppers, and a rich, tangy sauce. This mouthwatering combination delivers a punch of flavor thats both comforting and satisfying, making it an instant hit with kids and adults alike.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 hours hrs

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Equipment

• 1 gallon freezer bag
• 1 High speed blender
• 1 Slow Cooker

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 lbs Ground Turkey
• 1 cup Frozen onions diced
• 1 Green pepper diced
• 1/2 cup Carrots shredded

Sloppy Joe Sauce (Blend Together)

• 6 oz Tomato paste
• 1 cup Water
• 2 tbsp Raw honey
• 2 tbsp Chili powder
• 1 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp Cinnamon
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp Salt

For Serving:

• 4-6 Buns
• Optional: Slaw

Instructions

 

Prep/Freezer Directions

• Prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to your preferred method.
• Add sauce ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. (You may have to scrap sides once or twice).
• Add all ingredients to labeled gallon freezer bag. Seal bag, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to three months. 

Slow Cooker | Cooking Directions

• Thaw freezer meal in the fridge for 12-24 hours before cooking.
• Dump the contents of the freezer bag into a slow cooker. (Do not stir)
• Cook on low for 5-6 hours.
• Break up the meat in the slow cooker and stir once cooked. 
• Serve in your favorite bun. Optional: Top sloppy joe meat with your favorite slaw. 

Instant Pot | Cooking Directions

1. Dump the contents of the freezer bag into the Instant Pot, add 4 cups chicken broth. 
2. Set the Instant Pot to High Pressure for 20 minutes, then quick release the pressure. 
3. Break up the meat in the slow cooker and stir once cooked.  
4. Serve in your favorite bun.  Optional: Top sloppy joe meat with your favorite slaw.

Dietary Adjustments

Make this Gluten Free: 

 

• Sloppy Joe mixture is naturally gluten free 

 

• Serve over your favorite GF Buns

 

Make this Dairy Free

 

• Recipe is naturally dairy free

Keyword easy freezer meals for new moms, Easy slow cooker recipes, Turkey Freezer Meals, Turkey Sloppy Joe, Turkey Sloppy Joe Freezer Meal, Turkey Slow Cooker Recipes

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Equipment Needed To Make Healthy Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes

• 1 gallon freezer bag
• 1 High speed blender
• 1 Slow Cooker

Ingredients For Your Turkey Sloppy Joe Freezer Meal Recipe

• 2 lbs Ground Turkey
• 1 cup Frozen onions, diced
• 1 Green pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup Carrots, shredded
• Sloppy Joe Sauce (Blend Together)
• 6 oz Tomato paste
• 1 cup Water
• 2 tbsp Raw honey
• 2 tbsp Chili powder
• 1 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp Cinnamon
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp Salt
• For Serving:
• 4-6 Buns
• Optional: Slaw

How To Make A Turkey Sloppy Joe Freezer Meal Recipe

Prep/Freezer Directions:

1. Prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to your preferred method.
2. Add sauce ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. (You may have to scrap sides once or twice).
3. Add all ingredients to labeled gallon freezer bag. Seal bag, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to three months. 

Slow Cooker | Cooking Directions

1. Thaw freezer meal in the fridge for 12-24 hours before cooking.
2. Dump the contents of the freezer bag into a slow cooker. (Do not stir)
3. Cook on low for 5-6 hours.
4. Break up the meat in the slow cooker and stir once cooked. 
5. Serve in your favorite bun. Optional: Top sloppy joe meat with your favorite slaw. 

What to Pair with Your Make-Ahead Turkey Sloppy joes for Busy Parents

Sides:

• Classic coleslaw
• Sweet potato fries
• Garden salad

Desserts:

• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Fruit Salad
• Brownies

Mocktails:

• Virgin Mockerita
• Cucumber Limeade
• Pineapple Ginger Sparkler

Popular Substitutions and Additions

Substitutions:

1. Ground Turkey Substitute: Ground Chicken: Use 2 lbs. of ground chicken instead of ground turkey for a slightly different flavor while maintaining the same lean protein profile.
2. Tomato Paste Substitute: Canned Crushed Tomatoes: Replace the 6 oz tomato paste and 1 cup water with 1 can (14.5 oz) of crushed tomatoes for a chunkier texture and a more robust tomato flavor.
3. Dijon Mustard Substitute: Yellow Mustard: Swap the 1 tbsp Dijon mustard with 1 tbsp yellow mustard for a milder and more traditional Sloppy Joe taste.

Additions:

1. Black Beans: 1 cup cooked black beans: Add to the mixture for extra protein and fiber, making the meal even more filling and nutritious.
2. Corn: 1 cup frozen corn kernels: Incorporate for added sweetness and texture, complementing the savory flavors of the Sloppy Joe.
3. Spinach: 1 cup frozen chopped spinach: Stir in for a nutritional boost, adding vitamins and minerals without altering the flavor profile significantly.

How To Reheat & Store Turkey Sloppy Joe Freezer Meal Recipe

Best Way To Store Quick and Simple Turkey Sloppy Joe Leftover?

If you have leftovers, which I highly doubt you will, these sloppy joes can be just as good a second go around. Make sure to separate the mixture from the bun in order to make sure the bun does not get too soggy in the storing and reheated process. Allow mixture to cool to room temperature, once cooled, place leftovers in an airtight container, and place in the fridge immediately.

How Long Will Turkey Sloppy Joe Freezer Meal Recipe Last In the Fridge?

 When you have properly followed the cooling practices, and stored in an airtight container, your leftover sloppy joes should remain fresh in the fridge for three to five days.

 Can I Freeze Family-Friendly Turkey Sloppy Joe?

Yes! This recipe was designed to be a raw freezer meal, so it is definitely freezer friendly. We recommend preparing this dish as a raw freezer meal, which means prepping ahead of time, freezing, and then cooking fresh.

To prepare as a raw freezer meal, labeling a gallon freezer bag with recipe name, then blend together sauce ingredients in a high-speed blender. Then combine all ingredients, except the day of ingredients, into the freezer bag. Seal, remove as much air as possible, and freeze for up to three months.

If you are looking to freeze your already cooked leftovers, allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, place in a freezer bag, or freezer container, and seal for up to three months.

How To Reheat Delicious Turkey Sloppy Joes?

When you are ready to reheat your leftovers for a second go around, you may use a microwave or a stovetop. When placing the leftovers in a skillet, over medium heat, make sure to stir your mixture to ensure even heating, then place in a bun and serve.

If you plan to microwave your leftovers, place mixture on a safe-plate, then reheat in short bursts of 30-45 seconds. Stir mixture between each interval, then place heated mixture in your bun and serve.

Make-Ahead Turkey Sloppy Joes for Busy Parents FAQs

Other Comfort Food Recipes You’ll Love

• Turkey Sloppy Joes Whole 30 Freezer Meal 
• White Ground Turkey Chili Freezer Meal 
• Bolognese Sauce Freezer Recipe
• Italian Sausage Meatballs with Ground Beef Freezer Meal 
• Sweet Baked Bean Chili Freezer Meal

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Don’t forget to come back and let me know how your Turkey Sloppy Joe turned out!