At my elementary school, there was a hot lunch program. I remember the rotating menu of salsbury steak, spaghetti, macaroni and cheese,  sloppy joe and popular double cheese pizza. 

I never enjoyed the sloppy joe as it just tasted like tomato sauce and salty meat but I figured it would be fun to re-vist the old kid classics and give them all a second chance. 

The first one was an adult take on sloppy joe but with lean turkey instead of beef. It still feels hardy because of the beans but has less fat. When it comes to the BBQ sauce, use whatever you'd like or omit it but without the sauce, it tastes more like tomatoes and turkey. It's basically chili in a bun and there's nothing wrong with that! 

I used brioche buns as it gives it more of a buttery taste and I love anything buttery!

It's simple, quick and great for the summer potlucks or gatherings. 

Turkey Sloppy Joe

Servings: 5 generous adult portions 

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground lean turkey
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne 
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 medium sweet onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/3 cup hickory BBQ sauce
• 1 can of tomato sauce (about 398ml)
• 1 can of kidney beans (about 398ml)
• lettuce 
• brioche buns

Directions

1. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat and add the onions and garlic, allowing them to sweat for about 3 minutes or until translucent and fragrant. Add the ground turkey, cayenne and smoked paprika into the onion mixture and cook until it begins to firm up. Stirring occasionally, allow it to cook for 3-5 minutes.
    
2. Mix the tomato sauce, sugar, barbecue sauce, kidney beans, and Worcestershire into the turkey mixture. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, 3-5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    
3. Toast up the brioche buns and serve warm!