Chef John's Turkey Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

• tablespoon sbutter
• onion, diced
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1/4 pound sground turkey
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 3/4 cup ketchup
• 1/2 tablespoon sbrown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• cup water, or as needed
• hamburger buns, split
• 1/2 cup shredded white Cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup chopped green onions

Instructions

1. Melt butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion in butter until lightly brown, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper.
2. Mix turkey and 1/2 cup cold water into onions. Cook and stir, breaking up the meat, until it begins to brown, about 2 minutes. Add ketchup, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook and stir until liquid is reduced, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in Worcestershire sauce and cocoa powder. Cook, stirring frequently, until meat is cooked through and liquid is reduced and thick, 20 to 30 minutes, adding up to 1 cup water if needed.
4. Preheat the oven's broiler. Set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source.
5. Toast hamburger buns under the preheated broiler until golden, 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Remove turkey mixture from the heat; mix in cheese and green onions. Serve on toasted hamburger buns. Amanda Potter