Healthy Sloppy Joes without sugar
This recipe for healthy sloppy Joes without sugar takes less then 30 minutes to prepare and is a great dinner for any busy weeknight! It is made with real ingredients and contains no sugars or processed ingredients. If you’re looking for a healthy family dinner recipe that is fuss-free and that the whole family will love, then you need to give this recipe a try!
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Why you should make this healthy recipe for sloppy Joes without sugar
We’ve lightened up a traditional sloppy Joe recipe with wholesome ingredients that are nutrient-dense, to give you the favorite childhood classic, but in a healthier form!
This easy recipe is a perfect weeknight dinner that can be made last minute or ahead of time. Serve it up to your family for a warm and comforting dinner amidst your busy schedule.
Looking for other healthy and fuss free dinner ideas? Check out these easy skillet meal ideas or Instant pot fajita chicken and rice!
Healthy: Unlike traditional sloppy joes, this recipe is made with wholesome ingredients and contains no refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup from the added ketchup that most recipes call for. Substituting tomato sauce as a base with added seasonings is used instead of ketchup in this recipe as a healthy replacement.
The honey that the recipe calls for is optional. It adds great flavor and balance but is not necessary if you would prefer to stay away from healthy sugars as well.
Note -sugar free ketchup can also be used or unsweetened ketchup
Easy: This favorite classic comfort dish can be enjoyed by the whole family without all the hassle and work! Simply make a double batch or even three or four of these so you have them on hand to pull out of the fridge or freezer. Everything is mixed in one bowl for easy prep and clean up. Easy meals are a life-saver!
Sides to go with healthy sloppy joe’s without sugar
Buns (use keto hamburger buns or gluten-free buns if necessary for your health needs)
Serve over a baked sweet potato for a no-bun option
Toppings like sweet pickles and cheese slices
Chips
Potato salad
Fruit salad
Pasta salad
Lettuce salad
Pasta dishes
Seasoned potatoes
Leaf lettuce can make for yummy Lettuce wraps if you want to go bun-less!
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Ingredients for this healthy sloppy Joe recipe
Ground meat of choice – I like to use a mixrue of lean meat and more fatty meats. Any of the following meat types or a mixture of different ones are great: ground turkey, ground beed, ground venison, ground chicken. For quickest prep time have meat thawed ahead of time and ready to use.
Diced white or yellow onion – adds great taste
Oil – I like to use coconut, olive oil or avocado oil. Oil is necesaary for sauteeing the onion in and adds flavor.
Tomato sauce – works as a substitute for conventional ketchup.
Honey or maple syrup – replaces refined sugars, brown sugar and artificial sweeteners that are either added in most traditional sloppy Joe recipes or in the ketchup used in making the recipe.
Yellow mustard – brings balance to the flavors.
Seasonings are a vital part in any good recipe!
Paprika
Sea salt
Chili powder
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Apple cider vinegar
Worcestershire sauce
Equipment you will need:
Meat options to use:
Ground turkey
Ground beef
Ground venison
Ground chicken
Ground pork
Recipe
2 lb ground meat of choice, thawed
1 small yellow or white onion, finely diced
1 T oil (I like to use coconut or olive oil)
1 1/2-2 tsp salt
1 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp paprika
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
3 T yellow mustard
2 T apple cider vinegar
1-2 T honey (optional but helps tp balance the flavors and gives it that familiar “sloppy Joe” taste)
1 1/4 cups tomato sauce
Instructions:
Place the meat in a large skillet or pot with 1 T of oil of choice.
Add the diced onion and cook everything togheter until meat is cooked.
Add the seasonings, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, apple cider vinegar, optional honey or other sweetener of choice, and tomato sauce.
Cook on medium high heat until everything comes together.
Simmer with a lid slightly ajar for another 10-15 minutes. (The partially covered pot helps to keep some of the moisture in so that the sloppy Joes don’t turn out too dry.)
Taste and adjust to your preference.
This can be served right away or made in the morning and placed in a slow cooker on the warm setting until supper time.
These sourdough mini lemon tarts or Texas sheet cake are great healthy dessert ideas that you can feel good about serving to your family to complete your dinner time together!
Pro tips
Make sure meat is fully thawed.
Allow the mixture to simmer together on the stove at the end. This allows the flavors to fully incorporate.
Keep a lid slightly ajar on the pot while the mixture simmers – this allows for keeping some of the moisture in the sloppy Joes, while allowing some of the excess to escape.
Make ahead options:
If you like to meal prep, this can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week or put into containers or freezer bags and froze for up to 3 months. Rememeber to always date and label your freezer bags!
How to store leftovers
To store your leftover Homemade sloppy joe’s, allow it to cool before placing covered in the fridge or transfer to an airtight container and place in the fridge for up to a week.
Some other healthy recipes with simple ingredients for the whole family:
Instant pot fajita chicken and rice
Healthy Sloppy Joes without sugar
Enjoy this version of healthy Sloppy Joes without sugar for supper tonight with your family! This traditional favorite can be enjoyed on a roll and with sides for a balanced dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 lb ground meat of choice, thawed - I like to use a mixture of different kinds
- 1 small yellow or white onion, finely diced
- 1 T oil (I like to use coconut or olive oil)
- 1 1/2 - 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3 T yellow mustard
- 2 T apple cider vinegar
- 1-2 T honey (optional but helps tp balance the flavors and gives it that familiar "sloppy Joe" taste)
- 1 1/4 cups tomato sauce
Instructions
- Place the meat in a large skillet or pot with 1 T of oil of choice.
- Add the diced onion and cook everything togheter until meat is cooked.
- Add the seasonings, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, apple cider vinegar, optional honey or other sweetener of choice, and tomato sauce.
- Cook on medium high heat until everything comes together.
- Simmer with a lid slightly ajar for another 10-15 minutes. (The partially covered pot helps to keep some of the moisture in so that the sloppy Joes don't turn out dry.)
- Taste and adjust to your preference.
- This can be served right away or made in the morning and placed in a slow cooker on the warm setting until supper time.
- Enjoy with your favorite sides.
Leftovers can be frozen or placed in the fridge covered for up to a week.
Notes
Meat options to use:
- Ground turkey
- Ground beef
- Ground venison
- Ground chicken
- Ground pork
Pro tips
Make sure meat is fully thawed.
Allow the mixture to simmer together on the stove at the end. This allows the flavors to fully incorporate.
Keep a lid slightly ajar on the pot while the mixture simmers - this allows for keeping some of the moisture in the sloppy Joes, while allowing some of the excess to escape.
A little about me!
Hi! I’m Rebecca, wife and mother and I love homemaking and cooking on a daily basis.
Baking healthy desserts and cooking nutritious filled foods is a passion that I have and that is reflected in the recipes I post here!
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