Easy Turkey & Lentil Sloppy Joes for Freezer Meal Prep
These easy and healthy turkey lentil sloppy joes are hearty, comforting, and full of flavor, with ground turkey and lentils simmered in a savory, spiced tomato sauce.
These healthy turkey sloppy joes are one of my favorite freezer meals. They pack in flavor, use simple ingredients, and reheat really well. Affordable, high protein, and something different to add to your menu.
I use ground turkey and lentils instead of beef to keep things lighter while still filling. The lentils add protein and fiber and help the sauce hold up after freezing. It may not look fancy while cooking, but it tastes even better the next day.
I love making this during freezer meal prep days. It’s easy to double, simple to portion, and flexible when it’s time to serve. Pile it onto buns, wrap it in tortillas, or spoon it over baked potatoes.
Why This Recipe Is Perfect for the Freezer
I created this recipe for freezer cooking. The sauce keeps the turkey moist, the lentils add body, and the flavors get even better over time. This is a large batch, enough for two large family meals.
It’s budget friendly, easy to batch cook, and uses simple ingredients. Once it’s done, just portion it out and freeze it for later, or just eat it right away and save half for later!
Homemade Sloppy Joe Spice Mix
This recipe uses my go to homemade sloppy joe spice mix, which I like to keep mixed up in a jar ahead of time so freezer meal days move faster. You can find the full spice mix recipe here and use it for this batch or save it for future meals.
• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 teaspoon celery seed
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Note: If you prefer a milder sloppy joe, you can leave out the cayenne pepper. The recipe will still be flavorful and more kid friendly.
How I Make It
This recipe starts by cooking the lentils and setting them aside while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
Browning the ground turkey with onions builds the base of the flavor, and once everything is softened and cooked through, the tomato sauce and homemade spice mix are stirred in to create a rich, savory sauce.
After the mixture simmers and the flavors come together, the cooked lentils are folded in to add heartiness and extra protein. Once everything is well combined, the sloppy joes are ready to cool and portion for the freezer, making this an easy, make ahead meal you can pull out on busy nights. Pair this with my Same-Day Sourdough Buns to make it extra special!
👇🏻 To watch the full recipe walkthrough, check out my YouTube video below:
Spicy & Turkey and Lentil Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the lentils according to package directions until tender, then drain and set aside
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground turkey over medium heat
- Add the chopped onions and cook until softened
- Stir in the tomato sauce and prepared spice mix
- Simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Add the cooked lentils and stir until evenly combined
- Taste and add brown sugar as needed to balance the flavors
- Let the mixture simmer for a few more minutes, then remove from heat
- Allow to cool completely before portioning into freezer safe bags or containers
Video
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