Healthy Sloppy Joes Recipe
This Healthy Sloppy Joes recipe offers a nutritious twist on the classic comfort food by using lean ground beef, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful homemade sauce. Packed with wholesome ingredients and free from added sugars, this meal is perfect for a quick, satisfying dinner that the whole family will enjoy.
- Author: Lila
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ medium yellow onion, minced
- ¼ cup finely chopped green bell pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Sloppy Joe Sauce
- ¾ cup tomato sauce
- ¼ cup unsweetened Primal Kitchen ketchup
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¾ teaspoon chili powder
- 1–2 teaspoons hot sauce (optional)
Serving
- 4 gluten free buns or baked sweet potatoes
- Brown the Meat: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and brown the meat, breaking it up with a wooden spatula as it cooks, about 5 minutes. Drain most of the fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the minced onion, green bell pepper, salt, and black pepper to the pan. Stir and cook the vegetables until soft, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the Sauce: Add the tomato sauce, unsweetened ketchup, water, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, and hot sauce (if using) to the pan. Stir everything together to combine the sauce evenly with the meat and vegetables.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the skillet and cook for 10 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened to your liking, stirring occasionally.
- Serve: Once the sauce has thickened, adjust seasoning with more salt if needed. Serve the sloppy joe mixture on gluten free buns or over baked sweet potatoes for a wholesome meal.
Notes
- For extra heat, adjust the amount of hot sauce or add crushed red pepper flakes.
- To make this recipe vegetarian, substitute ground beef with a plant-based meat alternative or cooked lentils.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
- Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a balanced meal.
Keywords: Healthy Sloppy Joes, gluten free sloppy joes, lean ground beef recipe, quick dinner, stovetop sloppy joes, low sugar sloppy joes