Turkey Sloppy Joes

Picholine's Note:

I adapted a popular beef slow cooker recipe to the stovetop and modified the ingredients to better enhance ground turkey (beef base--beef bouillon concentrate--is key for making it taste like hamburger). Even my picky six-year old gobbled this up. My search for the perfect recipe for sloppy joes is finally over!

• Total Time: 29 mins
• Prep Time: 7 mins
• Cook Time: 22 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 ¼ lbs ground turkey
• ½ red onion , chopped
• 2 -3 garlic cloves , minced (or crushed with a garlic press)
• 2 stalks celery , chopped
• 1 red pepper , diced (I use Trader Joe's frozen tri-colored pepper medley)
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoons prepared mustard
• 1 ½ tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 ½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon beef base
• 1 dash liquid smoke
• 8 hamburger buns (or sourdough rolls)

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, on medium-high heat, saute ground turkey, beef base, onions, celery, and garlic for about 7 minutes (the meat juice will dissolve the beef base--do NOT drain the meat).
2. Stir in remaining ingredients and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Reduce heat and gently simmer for at least 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Spoon onto buns or rolls and serve.