Description
Lean turkey simmers in a tangy blend of tomato paste, savory spices, and crisp peppers, spooned onto toasted whole wheat buns for a hearty, healthy twist on the beloved comfort-food classic.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1 medium red bell pepper finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup tomato paste
- 1/2 cup low-sugar ketchup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 4 whole wheat hamburger buns
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add onion and red bell pepper and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Stir in tomato paste, low-sugar ketchup, water, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, chili powder, and smoked paprika.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Reduce heat and simmer the mixture until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Toast whole wheat hamburger buns in a toaster or under the broiler until lightly crisp.
- Spoon the turkey mixture onto the bottom halves of the buns, top with the remaining halves, and serve.
Notes
- Use ground turkey for lean protein; ground beef or plant-based crumbles can be substituted.
- Adjust spice level by adding cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce.
- Store leftover filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For extra veggies and fiber, stir in grated carrots or diced mushrooms when sautéing.