How to make turkey black bean sloppy joes - This quick and easy healthy recipe uses ground turkey to make traditional sloppy joes. Great recipe for two with leftovers and kids like it, too. Can be made as a sandwich or use the gluten-free, low carb option. This is the best weeknight dinner recipe because it's so simple and delicious.
Joe and I have to struggle to eat healthy, low calorie foods.
We've tried (and failed at) several diets in the sixteen years we've known each other, but this is a recipe has stuck with us since the first one.
Joe found something like this recipe in a cookbook that his mom had many years ago. The original recipe was for sandwiches, and it is really good as a sandwich.
We doctored it to lower the calories and for our personal taste. Then, one day, we made the Sloppy Joes, but realized (too late) that we didn't have any bread.
We did however have an acorn squash. "Why can't we stuff it in this squash?" Joe asked.
I was dubious but let him do it.
The combination of the tomato sauce and the sweet squash is wonderful. This option is low fat and low calorie, slightly spicy, and very filling.
The recipe below is for the low carb option, which includes putting the sloppy joe filling into the well of an acorn squash. If you don't need a low carb meal, you could of course put the filling on sandwich rolls and have a terrific meal that way.
How to make turkey black bean sloppy joes
- Pierce the acorn squash with a knife. Microwave each one for 9 minutes and then set aside to cool.
- Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. When it's hot, add the ground turkey, onions, and garlic. Cover and heat until turkey is browned and onion is tender. Be sure to stir frequently to avoid the turkey from sticking and burning.
- Stir in black beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, vinegar, mustard, and Worchestershire sauce. Simmer, uncovered, for at least 10 minutes.
- While the turkey mixture simmers, cut the squash in half and scoop out the seeds.
- When the sloppy joe mixture is thickened, spoon it into the wells of the squash and serve. Alternately, you could add a healthy scoop of the mixture onto sandwich rolls with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese. Delicious!
Turkey Black Bean Sloppy Joes in Acorn Squash Bowls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 clove garlic pressed
- 2 cups black beans or one 15 oz. can
- 15 oz diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon horseradish mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 acorn squash
Instructions
- Pierce acorn squash with a knife. Microwave each squash for 9 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- Preheat a large skillet on medium. When hot, add ground turkey, onion, and garlic. Cover and heat until turkey is browned and vegetables are tender.
- Stir in remaining ingredients. Simmer, uncovered, for at least 10 minutes.
- While Sloppy Joe mixture simmers, cut the squash in half and remove seeds.
- When Sloppy Joe mixture is thickened, spoon it into the well in the squash halves and serve.
Heather @ Not a DIY Life says
This sounds great, although I'd have to find a sub for the black beans. Beans with sulphur trigger migraines for me, isn't that crazy? Good luck with the contest! This is definitely a winner!
Tiffany says
You made the semi-finals! Good luck with the voting!
Tiffany says
You made the semi-finals! Good luck with the voting!
heather says
I voted for you and, in all honesty, it sounds the best to me. 'we eat pretty clean, and most of the other recipes would never touch my table, yummy as they may sound! Best wishes!
heather says
I voted for you and, in all honesty, it sounds the best to me. 'we eat pretty clean, and most of the other recipes would never touch my table, yummy as they may sound! Best wishes!
Debi says
I am going to have to try this one!! My hubby had a heart attack last year in July. So we had to change our eating habits... this will probably be a really good one for his diet. I will let you know how that works.
Good luck in contest.
http://whatscookninjunk.blogspot.com/
Debi says
I am going to have to try this one!! My hubby had a heart attack last year in July. So we had to change our eating habits... this will probably be a really good one for his diet. I will let you know how that works. Good luck in contest.http://whatscookninjunk.blogspot.com/
irishig3 says
This sounds AMAZING! I can imagine the squash combining tastefully & tenderly with the sauce. Can't wait to try this & steal other recipes!! I had no idea what passion you hold for writing! 🙂
irishig3 says
This sounds AMAZING! I can imagine the squash combining tastefully & tenderly with the sauce. Can't wait to try this & steal other recipes!! I had no idea what passion you hold for writing! 🙂
Anonymous says
I think Tara's recipe is a very clever one!
Anonymous says
I think Tara's recipe is a very clever one!
Lauralee Hensley says
Sounds so good I want to grow Acorn Squash now, but I don't think I'll have the room with everything else I'm growing this year. What size of Acorn Squash do you use that you can microwave them? The smaller ones probably right?
Lauralee Hensley says
Sounds so good I want to grow Acorn Squash now, but I don't think I'll have the room with everything else I'm growing this year. What size of Acorn Squash do you use that you can microwave them? The smaller ones probably right?