Description
Enjoy a healthier take on classic Sloppy Joes with this delicious and nutritious recipe. Made with lean ground beef, plenty of fresh vegetables, and a flavorful homemade sauce, these sloppy joes deliver all the comfort and taste you crave without the guilt. Serve on gluten-free buns or alongside baked sweet potatoes for a complete, wholesome meal ready in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 pound Lean ground beef
- 0.5 cup Onion, finely minced
- 0.25 cup Green bell pepper, finely minced
- 0.75 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Garlic, minced
- 0.25 cup Tomato sauce
- 0.5 cup Ketchup
- 0.25 cup Water
- 1 tablespoon Maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Chili powder
- Hot sauce, to taste (optional)
Serving Suggestions
- Gluten-free buns
- Baked sweet potatoes
Instructions
- Heat Oil and Brown Beef: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the lean ground beef and cook for about 5 minutes until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish lean.
- Sauté Veggies: Stir in finely minced onion and green bell pepper. Season with salt and black pepper. Sauté the mixture for 4 to 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, enhancing the flavor base.
- Add Garlic: Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until you smell its bold aroma but it does not brown.
- Combine Sauces and Seasonings: Pour in tomato sauce, ketchup, and water. Then add maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and chili powder. Stir everything together thoroughly to create a rich and balanced sauce that melds sweet, tangy, and spicy notes.
- Simmer the Mixture: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low to simmer. Cover the skillet and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and allowing flavors to develop deeply.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sloppy joe mixture and adjust salt or add hot sauce if desired to suit your preferred level of heat and saltiness.
- Serve: Spoon the hot beef mixture onto toasted gluten-free buns for a classic serving or pile over baked sweet potatoes for a nutritious alternative that adds sweetness and fiber to the meal.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef (at least 90% lean) to keep the recipe heart-healthy and lower in calories.
- To make the meal lower in sodium, reduce the salt and use low-sodium tomato sauce and ketchup.
- Maple syrup can be substituted with honey or agave nectar for different natural sweetness.
- Adjust the chili powder and hot sauce according to your spice tolerance.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth instead of water if desired.
- Serve with a fresh side salad to boost the fiber and vegetable intake for a more balanced diet.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Healthy sloppy joes, lean ground beef recipe, gluten-free sloppy joes, comfort food, easy weeknight dinner, quick sloppy joe recipe, low fat dinner
