Description
This Healthy and Easy Sloppy Joes recipe offers a delicious, nutritious twist on a classic comfort food. Made with lean ground beef, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful homemade sauce, it’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual gathering. The recipe features a balanced blend of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors, served on gluten-free buns or baked sweet potatoes for a wholesome meal.
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
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)
For Serving
- 4 gluten free buns or baked sweet potatoes
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook it until browned, 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 to retain flavor.
- Saute the Vegetables: Add the minced onion, chopped green bell pepper, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir and cook the vegetables until they soften, approximately 4-5 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the Sauce: Add the tomato sauce, unsweetened ketchup, water, pure maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, and hot sauce if using. Stir everything together well to combine all the flavors evenly.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low to maintain a simmer. Cover the skillet and cook the mixture for 10 minutes, allowing it to thicken to your desired consistency while flavors meld together.
- Serve: After the sauce has thickened, taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt if needed. Serve the sloppy joe mixture on toasted gluten-free buns or spoon it over baked sweet potatoes for a healthy alternative.
Notes
- You can adjust the heat level by adding more or less hot sauce according to your preference.
- For a leaner option, you may substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Try adding a slice of cheese on top if you are not avoiding dairy for an extra creamy texture.
- This recipe can be made gluten-free by choosing gluten-free buns or serving over vegetables like sweet potatoes.
