These turkey Swiss sloppy joes, a variation on the humble sloppy Joe sandwich, just might become your new favorite sloppy joe ever!

I’m popping in this busy Monday afternoon to tell you that you should most definitely get your buns (<– sorry, had to do it) into the kitchen and make these turkey Swiss sloppy joes. They are delectable. Simple. Wonderful.

An unexpectedly happy result of a dinner experiment, we love these little sandwiches. They make sloppy joes look good again.

A creamy turkey swiss sloppy joe on a whole wheat roll on a white plate with fresh veggies next to it.

I’ve told you before how I was traumatized by the sloppy joes of my youth (sorry, mom). It seems like weekly I hear of others who harbor serious issues against sloppy joes.

Sloppy joe support group? I’m thinking that might be a good idea.

It was no small miracle when I finally landed our favorite classic sloppy joe and posted it years and years ago (it’s become a favorite for many of you, too).

It’s still the only traditional sloppy joe recipe I make, because if there’s one thing I usually don’t take chances on – it’s sloppy joes. Shudder. There are just so, so many bad recipes floating around for that poor, little sandwich.

Cheesy turkey sloppy joe's on homemade rolls, on a white rectangular platter.

This turkey Swiss version is really amazing. Although a little bland in the looks department, it is deliciously flavorful, not to mention simple as can be.

If you can brown ground turkey, whisk together milk and flour, and shred Swiss cheese, you’ve pretty much already nailed this recipe.

As I mention below in the recipe notes, I almost always serve sloppy joes on our favorite French Bread Rolls or these Fluffy Whole Wheat French Bread Rolls. And if you are wondering if I make them from scratch every time we need them, let me assure you, this momma ain’t got time for that.

Whenever I make a batch of either roll recipe, I triple (or sometimes quadruple) the ingredients; once the rolls are baked and cooled, I pop about nine of them into a gallon-size freezer ziploc bag, press out as much air as possible without smashing the beauties, and freeze until we need them.

There’s no question these turkey Swiss sloppy joes are a total weeknight dinner saver. Love them…and that delectable cheesy, creamy, tasty sauce.

As long as I am clear with boundaries, I really do think I’ve mostly rekindled my love for the ol’ sloppy joe.

A cheesy turkey sloppy joe on a homemade bun with a bite taken out.

What To Serve With This:

Roasted broccoli (or other roasted veggie)
Fresh fruit
Chips

One Year Ago: S’Mores Hershey Kiss Blossom Cookies
Two Years Ago: Healthy and Delicious Broiled Tilapia Tacos {30-Minute Meal}
Three Years Ago: Cinnamon and Sugar Breadstick Twists

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Turkey Swiss Sloppy Joes

4.77 stars (30 ratings)

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ to 2 pounds ground turkey
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups milk, preferably not skim
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 6 ounces swiss cheese, shredded or cubed (about 1 cup)
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • Buns or rolls for serving

Instructions 

  • In a large 12-inch nonstick skillet set over medium heat, cook the ground turkey, onion, thyme, garlic, salt and pepper for 6-7 minutes, breaking the meat into small pieces as it cooks, until it is cooked through.
  • Drain any excess grease.
  • Blend the milk and flour together until smooth (I use a blender, but you could use a whisk as long as you stir like your life depends on it to eliminate any lumps).
  • Return the skillet to medium heat. Add the milk mixture to the ground turkey.
  • Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 5-6 minutes until thickened.
  • Stir in the cheese until melted. Add the Worcestershire sauce and Dijon and stir to combine.
  • Add additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve the meat mixture on buns (lightly warm the buns, if desired).
  • The sloppy joe mixture will thicken as it stands and cools, so if you won’t be serving it right away (or for reheating the leftovers), consider adding a bit more milk or broth.

Notes

Buns: I almost always use my French bread roll recipe or these Fluffy Whole Wheat French Bread rolls when making recipes like these turkey and swiss sloppy joes (or our other favorite sloppy joes). Obviously depending on how much of that delectable meat mixture you load on the bun will determine how many sandwiches this recipe actually serves. I get about 8-ish sandwiches from the smaller French bread rolls linked above, but if you are using storebought hamburger-type buns, you will probably get less since those rolls are a little bigger.
Meat: I haven’t tried it, but I am nearly certain ground beef would make a very acceptable substitute for the ground turkey.
Serving: 1 Serving, Calories: 287kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 38g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 92mg, Sodium: 583mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g
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Recipe Source: inspired by a recipe in Cooking Light Jan/Feb 2017