Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced small
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced small
- 2 medium jalapeños, diced (remove ribs for less heat)
- 1½ pounds lean ground turkey
- 1¼ cup ketchup
- 8 ounces crushed pineapple, drained
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
For Serving
- 8 slices pepper jack cheese, or Havarti
- 8 sweet Hawaiian hamburger buns, toasted
- Pickled jalapeños, as desired
- Thinly sliced red onion, as desired
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a deep-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the diced red onion, red bell pepper, jalapeños, and a pinch of salt. Stir and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 6 minutes.
- Cook Ground Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Use a spatula to break up the meat and cook until it is no longer pink and fully cooked through. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the ketchup, drained crushed pineapple, water, distilled white vinegar, prepared yellow mustard, dark brown sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, and paprika. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer Sauce: Reduce heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Toast Buns: While the mixture simmers, toast the Hawaiian buns until golden brown.
- Broil with Cheese: Move the oven rack to the second highest position and preheat the broiler. Place the toasted bottom buns on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil. Spoon the sloppy Joe mixture onto each bun, top with a slice of pepper jack cheese, and broil for about 1 minute or until the cheese melts, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Assemble and Serve: Remove from the oven, add pickled jalapeños and thinly sliced red onion on top, then add the top buns. Serve immediately with fries or potato chips.
Notes
- Nutrition information is for informational purposes only and should be used as a general guideline.
- Adjust jalapeño quantity or remove ribs to modify the level of heat to your preference.
- Use Havarti cheese instead of pepper jack for a milder flavor.
- This recipe can be made with lean ground beef or chicken as alternatives.
- For a less sweet version, reduce the brown sugar or pineapple amount.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
