While this isn't a traditional Sloppy Joe recipe, I'd venture to say it's better. Growing up in AZ meant taco seasoning on just about everything and the addition of it on these Tex Mex Style Sloppy Joes, a quick and easy weeknight version, is perfection. Like everything on WGC, feel free to get creative with your toppings! Extra cheese, salsa, guacamole, sour cream... you name it!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
Growing up we all had our go-to sloppy joe recipe that came together in less than 30 minutes. Well my friends, let me introduce you to your new favorite!! These Tex Mex Sloppy Joes are quick and easy with the flavor profile of a taco and honestly, I love them 10x more than a traditional sloppy joe! Serve them up with guac, cheese, salsa, you name it and your entire family will be thrilled.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Olive oil
- Lean ground turkey or chicken
- Red bell pepper
- Onion
- Poblano
- Garlic
- Taco / Fajita seasoning
- Tomato paste
- Fire roasted tomatoes (with the liquid)
- Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper
- Hamburger buns
- Optional: shredded cheese, guacamole
*For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below.
How to Make Tex Mex Style Sloppy Joes
Step 1: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, add the ground turkey, bell pepper, onion, poblano and garlic, cook until the turkey has browned and the vegetables are soft for about 5 minutes.
Step 2: Add the taco / fajita seasoning and tomato paste and cook 1-2 min.
Step 3: Add in the diced tomatoes, water, Worcestershire sauce and reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 10 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
Step 4: Remove from the heat and serve on hamburger buns topped with a handful of shredded pepper jack and a hearty dollop of guacamole.
How to Store Tex Mex Style Sloppy Joes
You can store the turkey filling for the sloppy joe in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Make sure to warm it through and assemble your sloppy joes fresh when it is time to eat!
How to Freeze Tex Mex Style Sloppy Joes
You can freeze the sloppy joe turkey, divided into meal-sized portions for 2-3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge, warm it through and assemble a tex mex sloppy joe in no time!
Tips & Tricks
- Choose the right meat: Use ground beef or dark meat turkey with a bit of fat (80/20 or 85/15) for flavor. You can also substitute ground chicken for a lighter version.
- Brown the meat well: Take the time to brown the meat thoroughly before adding any liquids. This will give your sloppy joes more flavor.
- Enhance with aromatics: Sauté onions, garlic, and bell peppers with the meat. These veggies add a nice depth of flavor and texture.
- Simmer for depth: After adding the sauce, let it simmer for 10–20 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
- Choose the right bun: Use soft hamburger buns, toasted if you prefer, to keep the sandwich intact without falling apart.
- Make it cheesy: Some cheese (cheddar or pepperjack) melted on top can make your sloppy joes extra indulgent.
FAQs
What is a sloppy joe?
A sloppy joe is a sandwich consisting of ground beef, onions, and a sweet tomato-based sauce, served on a hamburger bun.
Which buns do you like best for these?
I think a standard hamburger bun works well! You can also opt for a brioche, or a potato bun if you like that better.
Similar Recipes
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Tex Mex Style Sloppy Joe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground turkey or ground chicken
- 1 large red bell pepper seeds removed and diced
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 small poblano seeds removed and diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 14 oz can diced fire roasted tomatoes with the liquid
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and Pepper
- 4 hamburger buns toasted if you want to be fancy
Optional Toppings
- shredded pepper jack
- guacamole
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, add the ground turkey, bell pepper, onion, poblano and garlic, cook until the turkey has browned and the vegetables are soft for about 5 minutes.
- Add the fajita seasoning and tomato paste and cook 1-2 min.
- Add in the diced tomatoes, water, Worcestershire sauce and reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 7-10 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
- Remove from the heat and serve on hamburger buns topped with a handful of shredded pepper jack and a hearty dollop of guacamole.
Loved this recipe and I actually had all the ingredients. Quite delicious.
This would be great topped with a handful of Fritos or Doritos for a little crunch!
Oh this sounds so tasty!!! We love a good spin on a Sloppy Joe.
I’d like to feed this to 12 people. Would I need to make 3 individual recipes or can I triple everything? Also, after making, can I put it in a crockpot on low to re-warm for the next day?
triple the recipe and yes to crockpot re-heating!
Absolutely fabulous! We loved this recipe exactly as written.