Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes

"Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes" lands at 33g of protein for 303 calories a serving, which makes it an easy way to hit a protein target on Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or Zepbound without overeating. It leans pungent, so save it for a day your stomach is settled rather than right after an injection.

Ingredients

• 1/2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small red onion (diced)
• 1/2 medium red bell pepper (diced)
• 1/2 medium green bell pepper (diced)
• 3 garlic cloves (finely minced)
• 1 lb 99% lean ground turkey
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground mustard
• 1/2 cup reduced sodium (reduced sugar ketchup)
• 1/4 cup salt free honey barbecue sauce
• 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp reduced sodium Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 4 potato mini slider buns
• Romaine lettuce (for serving)

Method

1. 1Set a large skillet over medium heat and warm the olive oil until it shimmers. Add the garlic, red onion and bell peppers and cook about 5 minutes, until the onion softens and turns translucent, then push the vegetables to one side of the pan.
2. 2Add the ground turkey to the cleared side and season with black pepper, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika. Break it apart as it cooks, about 5–7 minutes, until no pink remains.
3. 3Stir the vegetables back through the meat, then add the ketchup, honey barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire, Dijon, water and red pepper flakes if using. Stir well, bring to a simmer, then lower the heat and cook about 10 minutes until thickened; splash in a little more water if it gets too thick. Take off the heat.
4. 4Pull the slider buns apart, lay romaine on the bottoms, spoon over the turkey mixture, and cap with the bun tops. Serve warm.
5. 5Keep any leftover meat mixture in an airtight container, away from the buns, in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Tips for GLP-1 appetites

• Not the gentlest option on a rough stomach day — better suited to when appetite and digestion feel normal.
• Go lighter on the strong aromatics (garlic, onion, spice rub) if smells are a trigger right now.
• At 33g of protein a serving, this alone gets you a meaningful chunk of the way to a daily 80–120g protein target.