Our Healthy Homemade Sloppy Joes are a classic, easy, go-to weeknight dinner that we are taking to the next level! This version is easy, healthy and a sandwich you won’t forget!
The BEST Homemade Sloppy Joes
I have had plenty of sloppy joes in my day … I am not kidding, these are the BEST I have ever had! The flavors in the mix and sauce are so good and then those toppings. We are adding in quick-pickled onions, dill pickles and a little extra dijon mustard (because, why not). They come together perfectly! Definitely a family favorite that remind us of this childhood favorite!
Looking for More Sloppy Joes?
If you love sloppy joes as much as we do, you definitely need to try our Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes!
Why This Recipe Works
- Sloppy Joe Sauce: the combo of soy sauce, two different mustards and lots of other delicious ingredients all Combe together to make the most delicious combo!
- Toppings: I cannot rave about these toppings enough! They just take these sandwiches to the next level and make them Ultimate Sloppy Joes! You cannot skip them!
- Easy and Good: sloppy joes are just good ole comfort food that comes together quickly and that everyone seems to enjoy!
What You Will Need
- garlic: because pretty much every savory recipe better with garlic!
- yellow onion + red onion: I love using two kinds of onions because it adds in some depth of flavor.
- bell pepper: adds a bit of crunch.
- kosher salt + ground black pepper: helps bring out the other flavors.
- County Natural Beef Butcher’s Blend Ground Beef: seriously the best ground beef I have ever tasted!
- dijon mustard + yellow mustard + apple cider vinegar: these adds in acidity to help round out the flavors.
- ketchup + tomato paste: to help create that tomato-sauce base.
- coconut sugar: rounds out the flavors by adding a touch of sweetness.
- soy sauce + worstershire sauce: adds in some umami flavors. Feel free to use a gluten-free alternative.
- chili powder: this adds a pop of flavor and you can add more if you want to up the spice.
What is a Sloppy Joe
A Sloppy Joe is a sandwich that is usually served on a bun with ground beef, spices and tomato-based sauce.
How To Make Homemade Sloppy Joes
The first steps are to chop up the onions and bell peppers so they are ready to go.
Then get all the other simple ingredients ready to go.
After you sauté the garlic, onions and bell peppers, add in your ground beef and cook until it is fully cooked. Then add in your remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
Feel free to serve with some roasted sweet potatoes, if you want a paleo-friendly version!
But my favorite way to serve is on a whole-wheat or sprouted grain bun with ALL the toppings (quick pickled onions, pickles and dijon mustard).
Sloppy Joe Side Dishes
Here are some yummy side dishes to serve with these:
- Roasted Broccolini
- Mexican Street Corn Salad
- Deviled Egg Potato Salad
- maybe some S’mores Bars for dessert!
Made this recipe and loved it?! We would love it if you would take a minute and leave a star rating and review – it is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that as well. THANK YOU!
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Healthy Homemade Sloppy Joes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner/Entree
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
Description
Our insanely good Healthy Homemade Sloppy Joes recipe for is made with simple, ingredients and the best toppings around!
Ingredients
Sloppy Joe Mix:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (sub with ghee or avocado oil)
- 1–2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup yellow onion, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/2 – 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce (omit for gluten-free)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Toppings/Additions:
- hamburger bun of your choice (gluten-free if needed)
- slice of cheese (regular or dairy-free)
- dijon mustard
- burger pickles
- quick pickled onions
Instructions
- Sauté: Bring large cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Add oil or ghee and swirl to coat the pan. Add garlic and move around the pan until fragrant, about 10-20 seconds. Add onions and diced bell pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, allowing onions to soften.
- Beef: Add ground beef to the pan. Move around the pan until beef is cooked through, about 5-10 minutes. Drain excess grease.
- Combine: Add dijon mustard, yellow mustard, ketchup, coconut sugar, soy sauce, kosher salt, pepper, tomato paste, chili powder, worcestershire sauce and apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine.
- Taste and adjust: if you want more sloppy joes more “saucey” simply add additional ketchup and tomato paste. Otherwise, adjust any salt or pepper, as desired.
- Serving: take a bun and place a slice of cheese (dairy-free or regular) on the bottom. Then add a scoop of the Sloppy Joe mix. On top of that add a few burger pickles, some pickled onions and then a little extra dijon mustard. Enjoy!
Notes
- Toppings: don’t skip the toppings – seriously SO GOOD!!
- Dairy-Free: to make this dairy-free simply use olive oil (instead of ghee) and opt for a dairy-free cheese slice (or simply omit).
- Gluten-Free: use tamari instead of soy sauce, omit the worcestershire sauce and serve on a gluten-free bun.
- Bun: if you aren’t interested in a bun, try roasting some sweet potatoes and make our Sloppy Joe Bowls!
- Nutrition Info does not include toppings because amounts can vary.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sloppy joe
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 9.8 g
- Sodium: 740.7 mg
- Fat: 9.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 35.5 g
- Protein: 17.7 g
- Cholesterol: 45.7 mg
Jen says
This is our favorite sloppy Joe recipe! Do you have the nutrition/macro info??
Bridget Montag says
Jen, thank you for asking. We have updated the recipe card with nutrition information. Glad you are enjoying them!