Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Sloppy Joe Mixture
- 1 pound ground turkey
- ½ medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 small red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 small carrot, finely diced
- 4 ounces mushrooms, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup water
Toppings (Optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced
- ¼ cup sliced pickles
- ¼ cup pickled red onions
- Shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scrub the sweet potatoes, pat them dry, then pierce each several times with a fork. Rub them lightly with olive oil, salt, and black pepper for seasoning.
- Bake Sweet Potatoes: Place the prepared sweet potatoes on the baking sheet and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until they are very tender when pierced with a knife, ensuring they are fully cooked through.
- Cook Ground Turkey: While the potatoes bake, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it browns, ensuring even cooking.
- Add Vegetables: Add the diced onion, red bell pepper, carrot, and chopped mushrooms to the skillet. Cook for another 5 to 6 minutes until the vegetables soften and the turkey is fully cooked.
- Incorporate Garlic and Tomato Paste: Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for about 1 minute to deepen the flavor and aromas.
- Add Sauces and Seasonings: Pour in the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Season with smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the water and stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Simmer the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for 8 to 10 minutes. Stir occasionally, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the meat evenly for a rich Sloppy Joe filling.
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes for Filling: Remove the baked sweet potatoes from the oven and let them cool for 2 to 3 minutes. Cut a deep lengthwise slit down the center of each and gently open them up. Fluff the inside flesh with a fork to create space for the filling.
- Assemble the Dish: Spoon about ¾ cup of the Sloppy Joe mixture into each sweet potato, ensuring they are generously filled with the saucy meat and vegetable mixture.
- Add Toppings and Serve: Top the filled sweet potatoes with sliced green onions, pickles, pickled red onions, and shredded cheddar cheese if desired. Serve warm for a hearty, flavorful meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground beef or chicken if preferred.
- Adjust the chili powder to your taste for more or less heat.
- The pickled red onions and shredded cheddar cheese are optional but add great flavor and texture contrast.
- Sweet potatoes should be pierced to prevent bursting in the oven.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
