Healthy Whole30 Sloppy Joes
Whole30 Sloppy Joes will take you straight back to your childhood, except they are healthier and more delicious than you remember!
I know everyone has a memory of chowing down on your mom’s sloppy joes. They were easy to make and used cheap ingredients.
While that was great and everything, I have reinvented the conventional sloppy joe (manwich) into one that is Whole30 approved, so no hidden preservatives and unnecessary ingredients.
Even though this is a healthy sloppy joe recipe and whole30 approved, it’s still budget friendly and quick!
Store this one in your recipe box for when you don’t feel like spending all night in the kitchen.
For those wondering, this recipe is also dairy free, gluten free, grain free, and paleo so it really works for everyone!
Whole30 Sloppy Joe Ingredients
Meat: use lean ground beef or turkey
Oil: I recommend olive oil or avocado oil. You could also use ghee.
Spices: garlic, chili powder, salt
Veggies: bell pepper, onion
Homemade Sloppy Joe Sauce (Whole30 Approved)
Ketchup – use a no sugar added, I like the one from Kroger or Primal truth
Coconut aminos – this is similar to soy sauce but healthier. It’s low in sodium and gluten free.
You can use aminos as a healthy swap anytime you see soy in a recipe.
A popular brand you may see in the stores is Bragg’s.
Mustard
Veggie broth
How to Make Healthy Sloppy Joes (Whole30 Approved)
Add the oil to a large skillet and warm over medium high heat.
Once it’s hot, add the minced garlic and saute for just a minute or two.
Then add the ground beef or turkey, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
Continue cooking until the meat is no longer pink, then drain the grease if needed.
Stir in the diced onion and bell pepper.
While the veggies are softening up, make the sloppy joe sauce.
Combine the ketchup, mustard, aminos, and veggie broth in a small bowl and whisk together.
Pour the sauce into the meat mixture and cook for 15 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
Ways to Serve
To stay Whole30 compliant, I recommend serving sloppy joes over spaghetti squash or cauliflower rice.
You can also slice large sweet potatoes to make “buns”. Just roast them in the oven before adding the meat and sauce.
This is great when you want to go bunless!
Make sloppy joe bowls by roasting some veggies and layering in a large bowl with spaghetti squash.
Add a big scoop of sloppy joes onto a cooked sweet potato for a healthy spud option.
How Long Do Homemade Sloppy Joes Last?
Store the meat mixture in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
To freeze, allow the mixture to cool completely, then transfer to a freezer bag where it will stay fresh for up to 3 months.
Are These Sloppy Joes Paleo Friendly?
Yes! The paleo and Whole30 lifestyle really just boils down to focusing on using real ingredients that aren’t processed and without using added sugar.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use ground beef, ground chicken, or ground pork in Sloppy Joes?
Yes, other ground meats can be substituted for ground turkey.
How do I reheat Sloppy Joes?
Reheat in a microwave-safe container or add to a skillet. Cook on low heat until warmed through.
You may need to add a little bit of liquid, such as water or broth, to the pan.
Can you have ground turkey on Whole30?
Yes, ground turkey is allowed on the Whole30 diet.
What can I make with extra cooked ground turkey?
Leftover ground turkey is so versatile! I have a whole blog post full of recipes to make using ground turkey!
More Whole30 Approved Recipes:
- Whole30 Chili
- Whole30 White Chicken Chili
- Blackened Shrimp
- Whole30 Breakfast Casserole
- 6 Ingredient Meatball Marinara Sauce | Whole30 Approved, No Sugar Added
- Oven-Baked Keto Turkey Meatballs | Gluten-Free, Whole30, & Paleo
- Whole30 Stuffed Peppers
Whole30 Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef or turkey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 bell pepper finely diced
- 1 medium white onion finely diced
SAUCE:
- 3/4 cup No Added Sugar Ketchup I used simple truth brand from kroger but primal kitchen also has one
- 2 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
Instructions
- Heat your oil In a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add minced garlic.
- Saute your garlic for one minute, then add ground beef, chili powder, salt and pepper. Stir to break up and cook for 5-6 minutes.
- Drain excess fat (optional- if you use turkey there won’t be much to drain) and return to the stove. Add diced onion and bell pepper and stir to combine. Allow to soften for about 2-3 minutes while you prepare the sauce.
- In a small bowl, combine all sauce ingredients. Pour sauce into the skillet over the beef and vegetable mixture. Continue cooking for 10-15 minutes, or until beef has cooked through, vegetables are softened and sauce has thickened.
- Serve immediately in sweet potatoes, over spaghetti squash, or over cauliflower rice to remain whole30 compliant. Enjoy!
