Posted Apr 16, 2018, Updated May 29, 2024 I love making healthier versions of classic recipes, like these healthy sloppy Joes! This recipe has much less sugar than traditional sloppy joe recipes and contains a serving of veggies! Also, these are thick sloppy joes, so you don’t have to worry about them dripping off the bun and making a mess. Plus, a thick sloppy joe means no soggy buns (and homemade burger buns are the best to serve with this recipe).
Healthy Sloppy Joes: Ingredients & Substitutions
Lean ground beef.I recommend 93% lean ground beef, however any percentage works well. You can also use ground turkey or ground chicken, but you will need to add 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil for cooking. Bell Pepper. Choose your favorite color, or substitute different vegetables like shredded zucchini, diced carrot, etc. Brown Sugar. Coconut sugar can be used in place of brown sugar for a refined sugar free version.
Note on Ketchup
There are some great organic ketchup varieties on the market that I suggest using. Or, you can substitute substitute ¾ cup tomato sauce and 1 Tablespoon honey for the ketchup.
How to Make Healthy Sloppy Joes
Let’s walk through how to make healthy sloppy joes, and don’t forget to watch the video. Begin by cooking the onion, minced garlic and ground beef together until the meet just begins to brown. Then, add the bell peppers and cook until the ground beef is browned and the peppers are soft. Next, add the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. Simmer until you are ready to serve, and for at least 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the lid from the pan in the last 5 minutes of cooking so the sauce will thicken. If you like runnier sloppy joes then you do not have to do this!
Serve
Serve these healthy sloppy joes on buns (I suggest these homemade hamburger buns or pretzel rolls). Scoop some of the sloppy joe mixture onto the bottom half of the bun, then add toppings (if desired) like pickles, coleslaw, etc., then put the top of the bun on and enjoy. Serve with your favorite side dishes, some suggestions include:
French fries or Sweet Potato Fries Fruit Salad (or Winter Fruit Salad) Serve them with a side salad like spinach salad, broccoli salad, or pasta salad. I often roast veggies to accompany these homemade sloppy joes – our favorites are roasted broccoli, roasted green beans, and roasted carrots.
Store/Freeze
Store leftover sloppy joe mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave. If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can see your creations!
