Homemade Sloppy Joes
These homemade Sloppy Joes are packed with sneaky veggies and have complex flavor! You'll never reach for the canned variety again. Stovetop and Instant Pot instructions included.
Servings: 4 large sandwiches
Calories: 399kcal
Ingredients
- 3 teaspoons olive oil or avocado oil divided
- 1 pound lean ground beef sub: ground turkey or chicken
- 2 teaspoons all-natural steak seasoning see Cooking Notes
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar sub: coconut sugar or maple syrup
- 1/2 medium onion finely chopped
- 1 medium carrot finely chopped or grated
- 1 red bell pepper finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce this is my favorite brand
- 2 (8-ounce) cans unsalted tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup sub: brown sugar or coconut sugar
- Salt to taste
- 4 whole wheat hamburger buns or 8 slider buns, toasted
- Optional: cheddar cheese slices
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, until shimmery. Add the ground beef to the pan and begin to break it up while it browns. Sprinkle the brown sugar and steak seasoning evenly over the meat and continue to stir and break it up until it has browned completely. Remove the meat to a paper towel-lined plate to drain the oil.
- Saute Veggies: Wipe out the skillet and place it over medium heat. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil to the pan. When the oil is shimmery, add the carrot, onion, red peppers to the skillet. Cook until veggies are tender, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, red wine vinegar, and Worcestershire during the last 30-60 seconds of cook time.
- Simmer Meat Mixture: Stir in the cooked meat, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and maple syrup to the veggies until combined. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook the Sloppy Joe mixture 5 minutes longer. Taste and season with salt, if needed. (Note: This is a good time to toast the buns under the broiler. See Cooking Notes.)
- Serve: Using a large slotted spoon, pile meat mixture onto toasted bun bottoms. Add a slice of cheese, if desired, and top with bun.
Video
Notes
- Instant Pot Instructions: Follow steps 1 and 2, using the Saute setting on the Instant Pot. Stir in the cooked meat, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and maple syrup to the veggies until combined. Lock and seal the lid. Cook at high pressure for 5 minutes with a quick release. Taste and adjust seasoning. Follow step 4.
- Substitute for steak seasoning: Use 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/8 teaspoon onion powder, 1/8 teaspoon paprika, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- To toast the hamburger buns: Place them on a sheet pan with the insides facing up. Preheat the oven's broiler to high and broil them on the top rack for about a minute or until golden brown. Watch closely so they don't burn!
- Gluten-free version: Use gluten-free buns or serve over baked potatoes (perhaps as part of a Baked Potato Bar).
- Dairy-free version: Omit the optional cheese slice.
Nutrition
Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 399kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 952mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 20g