Texas Hero (a.k.a. The Davy Crockett)
These sandwiches are reminiscent of the Sloppy Joes many of us enjoyed as kids. We’ve updated the classic version by using lower fat ground turkey, adding some healthy veggies to the sauce, and serving them on whole grain rolls.
Ingredients
- 1 - 1 1/4 lb. ground turkey, beef, meatless crumbles, or canned kidney beans
- 1/2 yellow onion finely diced
- 2 stalks celery finely diced
- 1 carrot finely diced
- 15 oz. tomato sauce
- 1 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce (for a vegetarian and gluten-free option use 6 drops hot sauce and 1/4 tsp. sugar per each Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce)
- 15 oz. reduced-sodium canned kidney beans (or use any variety) (or use 1 1/2 cups home-cooked beans for every 15 oz. can), drained and rinsed
- 2 Tbsp. ketchup
- 8 whole wheat buns (use wheat/gluten-free, if needed)
- 8 dashes hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco), or to taste, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the meat in its own juices until it is almost cooked through. (If you are using meatless crumbles or an extra can of beans, add it after the tomato sauce instead.)
- Drain off the excess liquid, if necessary, and add the diced vegetables to the skillet (heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil in the pan first, if using meatless crumbles or beans).
- Sauté the mixture for 2 more minutes and add all the remaining ingredients, except the buns and optional hot pepper sauce.
- Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat, cover the skillet, and simmer it for about 15 minutes until the vegetables are tender. At this point, you can refrigerate the meal for up to 2 days, freeze it for up to 3 months, or proceed to the next step.
- To serve the sandwiches, toast the buns lightly and fill each one with a large spoonful of the meat mixture. Sprinkle the filling with hot pepper sauce, if desired.
Slow Cooker Directions
- No need to brown the meat. Simply put all the ingredients except the buns and hot pepper sauce in the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 - 10 hours or on high for 4 - 6 hours. Serve as directed. (Slow cooker cooking times may vary—Get to know your slow cooker and, if necessary, adjust cooking times accordingly.)
Notes
Do Ahead or Delegate: Brown and refrigerate the meat if you are using turkey or beef, dice the onion, celery, and carrot, or fully prepare the meat/bean mixture and refrigerate or freeze it.
Scramble Flavor Booster: Add 1 tsp. chili powder to the skillet with the vegetables, and use the optional hot pepper sauce (or try Chipotle flavored Tabasco sauce!) on the sandwiches.
Tip: For a long time I thought of celery as a vegetable that added crunch and color to recipes but didn’t have a ton of nutritional value. I recently learned however, that celery contains a nutrient call luteolin, which has anti-inflammatory properties and may help prevent the build up of plaque in the brain that can contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. So crunch away!
Nutritional Information Per Serving (% based upon daily values): Calories 261, Total Fat: 10g, 15%; Saturated Fat: 2g, 5%; Cholesterol: 40mg, 15%; Sodium: 550mg, 22%; Total Carbohydrate: 30g, 10%; Dietary Fiber: 4g, 16%; Sugar: 5g; Protein: 17g
Like this recipe? Check out The Scramble's family-friendly meal plans to see just how simple getting dinner on the table can be!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!