Homemade Healthy Sloppy Joes: Think Sloppy Joes are unhealthy? Think again! Lean ground sirloin, fresh veggies, and beans are enveloped into a sweet and tangy homemade sauce
One of my most favorite things as a blogger, is when you all let me know how much you love a recipe.
A close second is when someone comes to me with a recipe request or a request to make a family favorite lighter.
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Recently one of you told me that you loved Sloppy Joes but hadn’t eaten them in years because you only thought they were possible if made with a can of Sloppy Joe sauce.
I immediately knew that I had to share my Healthy Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe with you all because it is NOT from a can and tastes one thousand times better!
Not only is my recipe for Clean Eating Sloppy Joes low in sodium and fat, it is an inexpensive and easy recipe!
Homemade Sloppy Joes
Is it just me or does the mention of sloppy joes make you want to break out into song, and sing the “Lunch Lady” song, by Adam Sandler?
Regardless if you found yourself humming the song, singing the song or you have no clue what I am referencing, this sloppy joe recipe is one that your family will LOVE!
By the way–if you don’t know the Lunch Lady song–you have to check it out for a laugh.
This is truly a one skillet meal that always pleases my family.
It is sweet, savory and has a hint of spice from the fresh jalapeno, creating the perfect balance of savory flavors.
I think your family will agree, this is one meal that they will all LOVE, especially if you serve it up with some oven baked fries.
Tips for Creating the Best Sloppy Joe Recipe:
- I start with lean ground sirloin, but feel free to use ground chicken, bison, or turkey. I do find that beef produces the best flavor with this recipe and grass fed beef is filled with healthy nutrients like omega-3 acids, vitamin E and linoeic acid–plus ground sirloin is much lower in fat than ground turkey.
- My secret is to use 2 cups of pinto beans along with ground beef. They blend in perfectly with the flavors of the sloppy joes and make these sloppy joes full of fiber, lower in fat, and stretch further, therefore saving you money!
- I add in some fresh jalapenos to the homemade sloppy joe sauce for some spice, but you can omit the jalapeno for less spice.
- Fresh red peppers add a great freshness to these Classic Sloppy Joe Sandwiches, but use frozen chopped green peppers if you can’t find a reasonable price on fresh red peppers or don’t have any at home.
- The vinegar is a MUST in this sloppy joe sauce recipe. I love apple cider vinegar, but red wine vinegar works as well.
- You can serve these Sloppy Joes on buns with cheese as a classic childhood favorite. But Sloppy Joes are just as delicious served in baked russet potatoes, baked sweet potatoes or gasp, scooped up with plain potato chips 😉
- If you want to make these Gluten-Free Sloppy Joes, omit the Worcestershire Sauce and use Braggs Amino Acids or Gluten-Free Soy Sauce.
Be sure to check out all my Easy Healthy 30 Minute Family Meals Or if you are looking for Gluten free Recipes–check out my collection of Easy 30 Minute Gluten-Free Meals.
Even my beef eating, bean-hating, husband approves. Okay more than approves–he always DEVOURS these sloppy joes.
Sloppy Joe Recipe
Clean Eating Sloppy Joes
A Healthy Homemade version of the classic sloppy joe recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground sirloin
- 2 cups canned or cooked pinto beans drained if canned
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 small red pepper diced
- 1 small onion diced
- 1/2 jalapeno seeded and minced
- 2 teaspoons freshly minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon Worceshestire sauce
- 8 buns
- 8 slices of cheddar cheese optional
Instructions
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Over medium high heat, brown the sirloin. Drain off any excess fat (which there rarely is any) and return to heat.
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Add in tomato sauce, tomato paste, pepper, onion, jalapeno, garlic, salt and stir well. I like to add in the vegetables with the tomato sauce so they break down and get soft, just like the canned version of sloppy joes does. Bring to a boil and lower to simmer.
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Add in the apple cider vinegar, honey, and Worceshestire sauce. Stir well and let simmer 5-10 minutes.
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Serve on buns with cheese if desired.
If you liked this recipe for sloppy joes, you may also like:
Taco Meat
Beef Stroganoff
Caroline says
Definite comfort food, love the healthier twist.
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks Caroline!
Shelby says
Looks delicious and I love the addition of the beans!
Kristen Chidsey says
It sure makes this dish heartier and healthier
Laura Dembowski says
I don’t think I have ever had a sloppy joe, but they certainly look great! Love the addition of the beans.
Kristen Chidsey says
You MUST try them Laura!
Christie says
We are TOTAL sloppy joe eaters! I’ve made several different kinds on my blog; all delicious, healthy, and lean. I love that you added beans to yours. I’ll be trying that next!
Kristen Chidsey says
I hope you enjoy it Christie–I will have to check out your recipes!
Liz says
So yummy and hearty! I haven’t had sloppy Joes in years—now I’m craving one!
Kristen Chidsey says
You need to have one! These are so much better than your childhood version!
Wendy Klik says
I’ve never thought of adding beans to my sloppy joes. Great idea.
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks Wendy! It adds such great health benefits, plus makes the meal stretch further!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Kristen, your sloppy joes sound so hearty and delicious! Yes – recipe love is the best and so are requests to lighten up favs! By the way, these sloppy joes are SOOOOOO much better than those canned versions for sure! Love your double dose of pinto beans in this! Hope your week is off to a wonderful start!
Kristen Chidsey says
SOOOO much better than canned versions for sure!
Cindy Kerschner says
Homemade sauce is so smart you can control what goes in there!
Kristen Chidsey says
Exactly!
Christina A Thomas says
My mom used to make sloppy joes when I was a kid. I don’t think I’ve had one in decades! Your recipe looks fantastic. I’ve never had it with beans. What a great addition!
Kristen Chidsey says
You have to give this a try Christina!
Erin Collins says
Yum! These look so great!
Kristen Chidsey says
Thank you Erin!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
Great recipe! I like the healthy twist on this classic.
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks so much!