Janes: Spicy Hawaiian Sloppy

Love sloppy Joes? Try Sloppy Janes!

Inspired by these wicked back beans, I decided to make a healthier, lighter and spicier version of the long-used sloppy Joe recipe. In the filling, lean ground turkey, bell pepper, jalapeño and crushed pineapple simmer in a simple, sweet and tangy kitchen-made sloppy Joe sauce. I like to serve these on toasted sweet Hawaiian hamburger buns with melted pepper jack cheese and top with thinly sliced red onion and pickled jalapeños.

I also like to serve these with sweet potato fries, but I’ve also listed other options towards the end of this post.

To Make These Spicy Hawaiian Sloppy Janes Gather:

• olive oil – Lends fat for sautéing vegetables.
• red bell pepper – Adds a pop of color and mild sweetness.
• red onion – Lends a mild sweetness with bits of caramelization.
• jalapeño – Adds savory spicy flavor. Remove the seeds and ribs for less heat.
• kosher salt – Helps draw out moisture while sautéing and enhances the flavors in the recipe.
• ground turkey – I like to use 97/3 lean ground turkey.
• ketchup – Use from-scratch or store-bought.
• water – Helps thin the sauce to the reliable consistency.
• mustard – Adds a tart and tangy flavor.
• white vinegar – Lends subtle tang to this method.
• crushed pineapple (drained well) – Lends tropical flavor. Place in a mesh sieve set over a bowl to drain well.
• dark brown sugar – Adds sweetness and subtle caramel like flavor.
• paprika – Adds color and subtle flavor.
• kosher salt – Enhances the flavors in this method.
• freshly ground black pepper – This adds subtle bite and flavor.

for serving:

• sweet hawaiian hamburger buns
• pepper jack cheese
• pickled jalapeños
• thinly sliced red onion

Make The Filling:

In a large, deep-sided skillet add 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, 1/2 cup diced red onion and 2 jalapeños, finely diced with a pinch of kosher salt.

Heat over medium to medium-low heat, stirring often until the vegetables are soft and tender.

To the sautéed veggies, add in 1½ pounds of lean ground turkey.

Use a spatula to break up the ground turkey and cook until no longer pink and fully cooked.

To the pan, add in 1¼ cup ketchup, 8 ounces (drained) crushed pineapple, 1/4 cup water, 1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard, 1/2 teaspoon distilled white vinegar, 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon each kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper and 1/4 teaspoon paprika.

Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.

That’s it!

Build The Sloppy Janes:

Toast the sweet Hawaiian hamburger buns in your toaster. Meanwhile, move the oven rack to the second highest position and preheat your broiler. Top the toasted bottom bun with a few generous spoonfuls of the sloppy Jane mixture and top with pepper jack cheese – I cut each piece in half and then over lap so it will fit better.

Slip the pan under the broiler until simply melted – about 1 minute.

Top with any and all desired toppings, I like thinly sliced red onion and pickled jalapeños, and replace the toasted top bun.

Sweet, spicy and incredibly satisfying.

What Sides To Serve With Sloppy Joes?

• sweet potato french fries or regular french fries
• steak fries, potato wedges or sweet potato steak fries
• potato chips
• cut veggies and ranch
• mac and cheese
• coleslaw

Enjoy! And if you give this Spicy Hawaiian Sloppy Janes recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!