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Healthy Sloppy Joes Recipe

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4.2 from 73 reviews

This Healthy Sloppy Joes recipe offers a delicious, nutritious twist on the classic comfort food. Made with lean ground beef and loaded with fresh vegetables, it uses wholesome ingredients like olive oil, tomato sauce, and a touch of maple syrup to create a flavorful, well-balanced meal. Perfect for serving on gluten-free buns or baked sweet potatoes, this dish is an easy stovetop recipe that can fit into a balanced diet and is naturally gluten-free and low in added sugars.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

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
  • 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)

For Serving

  • 4 gluten free buns or baked sweet potatoes

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. Saute the Vegetables: Add the minced onion, finely chopped green bell pepper, salt, and ground black pepper to the pan. Stir and cook the vegetables until soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the Sauce: Add the tomato sauce, unsweetened Primal Kitchen ketchup, water, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, and hot sauce if using, to the pan. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
  4. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan and let it simmer for 10 minutes or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
  5. Serve: Taste and season with additional salt as needed. Serve the sloppy joe mixture warm on toasted gluten-free buns or over baked sweet potatoes for a hearty and healthy meal.

Notes

  • Make sure your vegetables are finely chopped to ensure even cooking and texture.
  • For a Whole30-friendly version, omit the maple syrup and serve the sloppy joe mixture over baked sweet potatoes instead of buns.
  • Draining most of the fat after browning the beef helps the sauce thicken better and reduces excess grease.
  • Author: Adeline
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Find it online: https://flavorhug.com/healthy-sloppy-joes-recipe/