chef john's turkey sloppy joes

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, diced
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 1/4 pounds ground turkey
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 3/4 cup ketchup
• 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup water, or as needed
• 6 hamburger buns, split
• 1/3 cup chopped green onions
• 1/2 cup shredded white cheddar cheese

Recipe

Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Ready Time: 40 mins


• melt butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat. add onion; cook and stir until onion starts to brown, about 5 minutes. season with salt and black.
• mix ground turkey and 1/2 cup cold water into onions. cook and stir, breaking up the meat, until it begins to brown, about 2 minutes. add ketchup, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. cook and stir until liquid is reduced, about 5 minutes. stir in worcestershire sauce and cocoa powder. cook, stirring frequently and adding up to 1 cup water if needed, until meat is cooked through and liquid is reduced and thick, 20 to 30 minutes.
• preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source. toast hamburger buns until golden, 2 to 3 minutes.
• remove turkey mixture from the heat and mix in green onions and cheddar cheese. serve on toasted hamburger buns.