Need an Easy, Inexpensive Dinner? How to Make a Ground Turkey Sloppy Joe Mix (Diabetic Friendly, Fruit Sweetened)

This Sloppy Joe (or Jane) mixture is good, easy, and inexpensive. It's also incredibly nutritious, with ground turkey, vegetables, and no refined sugar. The sweet-sour mixture gets its sweetness primarily from chopped dates. If you're on a diabetic diet or want to "eat healthy," the mixture is a great option. You can make the Sloppy Joe mixture in advance and refrigerate it to heat when you need a quick dinner. Although you can certainly use the mixture to fill buns, we like it on top of baked sweet potatoes. It's also good on top of brown rice, quinoa, and even whole-grain noodles. Or try the mixture on top of a microwaved russet or Yukon Gold potato with a sprinkle of cheddar cheese on top. It's good! Enjoy!

Need an Easy, Inexpensive Dinner? How to Make a Ground Turkey Sloppy Joe Mix (Diabetic Friendly, Fruit Sweetened)

Ground Turkey Sloppy Joe Mix (Diabetic Friendly) -- Serves 6

2-3 teaspoons of canola oil

1/4 cup of chopped celery

1 medium/small onion, chopped (1/2-3/4 cup)

1/4-1/3 cup of chopped red bell pepper (half a small pepper)

1/2 teaspoon of salt, divided

1 pound of lean ground turkey (93 percent)

1/4 teaspoon of pepper

1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder

1 6-ounce can of tomato paste

3 6-ounce cans of water (18 ounces)

1 teaspoon of reduced sodium chicken base (I use "Better Than Bullion")

1/2 cup of chopped, pitted dates

1/2 6-ounce can of apple cider vinegar (3 ounces or about 1/3 cup)

2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon of liquid smoke

In a large, non-stick skillet heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chopped celery, onion, bell pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt and let the vegetables cook for 5-8 minutes or until they begin to soften. Crumble the ground turkey into the pan and sprinkle the turkey with 1/4 teaspoon of salt, the pepper, and the garlic powder. Saute the turkey with the vegetables for 5-8 minutes until the turkey is mostly cooked (it won't brown). Stir in the tomato paste. Use the tomato paste can and add 3 cans (18 ounces) of water to the pan. Stir in the chicken base and the chopped dates. Use the tomato paste can to add 1/2 can (3 ounces or about 1/3 cup) of apple cider vinegar to the pan. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and the liquid smoke. Let the mixture cook, partially covered over medium-low heat, until the mixture thickens and reduces down by about one-half in volume. Taste the mixture and add a little more salt and pepper if you think it needs it. Serve the mixture over bread, potatoes, grains, or pasta.

Need an Easy, Inexpensive Dinner? How to Make a Ground Turkey Sloppy Joe Mix (Diabetic Friendly, Fruit Sweetened)