Turkey Sloppy Joes

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!

• Ready In: 29 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄4 lbs ground turkey
• 1⁄2 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 1⁄2 tablespoons prepared mustard
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 1⁄2 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.