Truth be told, I’m not so much a sloppy joe type of girl. When I hear “sloppy joe” my mind goes to the third grade hot lunch line and the line that snakes out the door of the library of my tiny private school. Inside the library Jonathon Oliver’s mom scoops ladles full of ground beef swimming in spaghetti sauce from her Crock-Pot onto white hamburger buns purchased in bulk from the Smart & Final grocer. As far as cafeterias go, ours is tough to beat but I’d still prefer a pb&j. A lot has changed for me since third grade, including these far more gourmet Turkey Sloppy Joes on Apple Cheddar Biscuits. The star here is definitely the apple cheddar biscuit. It elevates the turkey sloppy joe game tenfold and will have you licking your plate.
If your household, like mine, doesn’t do ground beef, turkey sloppy joes are a great alternative to the traditional version. Because there is so much flavor in the sauce and in this amazingly delicious apple cheddar biscuit, I promise the red meat eaters in your family won’t miss the beef.
Can we discuss these biscuits for a quick sec? Apple cheddar biscuits. If ever you doubted that depth of flavor could be found in a biscuit, I submit to you these flaky, tender pillows of deliciousness. The apple brings a hint of sweet that is so perfectly countered in the savory white cheddar cheese. A sprinkle of scallions add the perfect finish and a dusting of fleur de sel atop the biscuits will have you scavenging for crumbs.
Don’t be too put off by the fact that these are from scratch biscuits. By enlisting a food processor, you can knock these out in less than twenty minutes while the turkey mix simmers on the stove.
Turkey Sloppy Joes on Apple Cheddar Biscuits
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil
- 2.5 pounds ground turkey (dark meat, not breast)
- 1 medium-sized red onion
- 2 ribs of celery
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 24 oz can or jar of crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
For the Apple Cheddar Biscuits
- 3 cups flour
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup peeled Honeycrisp apples, grated
- 3/4 cup extra sharp white cheddar cheese
- 10 tablespoons butter, frozen and grated
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- Fleur de sel, for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
To make the filling:
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. When the pan is hot, add cooking oil and tilt the pan to coat it. Add the onion to the hot oil and saute until soft. Add the celery and bell pepper to the onion in the pot and continue sauteing until the onion is translucent and the other vegetables are soft tender. Add the garlic to the mixture and cook just until fragrant, about one minute.
Place the ground turkey in the pan with the sauteed vegetables and cook, stirring occasionally, until the turkey is no longer pink. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Combine crushed tomatoes, ketchup, molasses, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce in the pan. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring frequently, and then cover the pan and reduce heat. Allow the filling mixture to simmer for thirty minutes.
To make the biscuits:
Preheat oven to 400º. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. Set aside.
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse in five two-second blases to combine. Add grated apple, cheddar, grated butter, scallions and pepper to the bowl and pulse for ten two-second blasts to thoroughly combine. The mixture should have chunks the size of peas in it.
In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, combine buttermilk and egg. Use a fork to gently mix. Pour the liquid over the flour mixture and replace the food processor lid. Process in several short pulses, just until the dough is thoroughly combined but not smooth.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly-floured counter top and gently shape it into a square about one inch in thickness. Cut dough into 16 squares. Place the biscuit dough about an inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Place the baking sheet on the center oven rack and bake for 17-20 minutes or until the top of the biscuits are a light golden brown. Remove the biscuits from the oven and use a pastry brush to spread melted butter on top of each. Sprinkle with fleur de sel.
To assemble the turkey sloppy joes:
Cut each biscuit in half. Ladle a heaping helping of filling on each biscuit bottom before replacing biscuit top.
Notes
Before you begin making the filling, use your food processor to grate your frozen butter and the apple. Return the butter to the freezer while you prepare the filling. Lightly rinse the food processor bowl before using it to mix your biscuit dough.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 729Total Fat: 37gSaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 172mgSodium: 880mgFiber: 4gSugar: 20gProtein: 39g
You might also enjoy:
Roasted Potatoes, Sausage and Asparagus
Sausage, Pepper and Pierogi Skillet
Hay Darci – thank you for remembering those special lunches that were made out of love.
I have no doubt that each and every dish served out of that library was made with love, Bonny. It’s awesome that you somehow saw this post and left me a comment. Thank you. And though these sloppy joes are a bit more gourmet than the Trinity version, I hope you’ll try them and enjoy them. Great to hear from you.