This Healthy Sloppy Joe Recipe is veggie-packed and made with lean ground beef. Not to mention, it’s the perfect one-pot meal to feed the whole crew this summer!
We have just entered summer here in Oklahoma. When I think about summer activities, food is a HUGE part of that. From watermelon to BBQ, summer meals are meant to be eaten on paper plates in the shade between water activities.
Sloppy joes are another perfect summertime meal. This recipe is one-pot, leaving minimal cleanup so that you have maximum time out in the sunshine. I also used lean ground beef and a bunch of veggies hidden behind a flavor-packed sauce. Your picky eaters won’t even realize that they are eating a well-balanced, nutrient-dense meal.
In this recipe, I use my salt-free Okie Rub spice blend from my spice company – The Spice Girl Kitchen. I’m completely biased because it is, after all, my spice recipe and the best salt-free Okie Rub seasoning on the market. But feel free to use whatever smokey seasoning you have on hand.
In this post, we will learn the origin of sloppy joes, do a nutritional breakdown, talk about serving suggestions, and go over how to store, reheat, troubleshoot, and repurpose this meal! All leading up to the grand finale of how to make this healthy sloppy joe recipe.
This post is all about this healthy sloppy joe recipe!
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Who Invented Sloppy Joe’s?
There’s not a ton of information on the origin of Sloppy Joe’s. We do know that Sloppy Joes are a classic American dish. The tangy tomato-based sauce and its messy nature are the Sloppy Joe signatures. Even though the exact time and place of its invention are unknown, a few theories are floating around.
One popular theory is that Sloppy Joes were created by a cook named Joe in Sioux City, Iowa, in the early 20th century. Another story suggests that the dish originated in a café in Havana, Cuba, where it was called “sloppy joe” due to its messy nature. However, there’s no way to truly know which is true (or if either of them is true). Honestly, I’m just happy someone thought of it!
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Nutritional Breakdown
As a dietitian and a major foodie, I only subscribe to meals that are both nutrient-dense AND delicious. This is my favorite hidden veggie recipe, and I hope it becomes your new favorite as well. It may taste hardy, but it’s actually very light.
In just 270 calories per serving, it packs:
- 2.3 grams of fiber
- 34 grams of protein
- and 10 grams of fat
Note: the above nutritional information is just for the filling alone. Since buns vary in carb & calorie content, please take into consideration the buns you chose and any side dishes!
It’s important to mention that I chose 96/4 lean meat to keep the fat content as low as possible. I also added in carrots, celery, and bell peppers which sneak in that 2.3 grams of fiber in the filling alone! If you serve it with high-fiber whole wheat buns, fruit, and carrot sticks, you are looking at a super high-fiber, high-protein, delicious summer meal!
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Serving Suggestions
This is an easy one to serve! I recommend serving the sloppy joes traditionally with buns (I used brioche buns, but any kind of bun you prefer will work!), but I have seen people serve it inside a baked sweet potato or regular baked potato to make it gluten-free or overall increase the nutrient density.
As for what to serve on the side, I got you covered:
- coleslaw
- air-fried truffle fries
- summer charcuterie board
- lemonade, iced tea, or Arnold Palmers
- potato chips
- pickles
- fruit
- side salad
- carrot & celery sticks
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Troubleshooting
We all need a little help troubleshooting sometimes. If the sauce is giving you trouble, here’s exactly what to do.
My sauce is too thick
Simply add an extra splash of beef broth or water to thin it out. Add one splash at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
My sauce is too thin
Simply simmer the recipe uncovered to let some of the liquid evaporate!
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Re-purpose, Store, & Reheat
Re-purpose
This recipe is fantastic for meal prep because it reheats well throughout the week! I have seen people eat the meat mixture all by itself (no bun), put it over rice, put it in a baked sweet potato, or swap it for different buns to mix it up! On this blog, we are big fans of “cook once, eat twice” – and this recipe will help you do just that!
Store
Fridge: Transfer meat mixture to a large glass storage container with an airtight lid. Allow it to cool to room temperature before securing the lid (about 30-45 minutes; the exact time depends on the amount of meat). Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer: You can also freeze the sloppy joes for up to 3 months. Place the sloppy joes in the fridge to thaw overnight for best results.
Reheat
Microwave: Place meat in a microwave-safe dish, cover, and microwave on high for 1-3 minutes or until heated through. If reheating larger amounts, stir the meat halfway through to warm it evenly.*
Stovetop: Place meat in a skillet over medium-high heat with a splash of water or beef broth (this help keep it from drying out). Once the water is simmering, reduce to medium-low and cover for 3-5 minutes or until heated through. Stir occasionally.*
Oven: Not recommended.
* Total time depends on the amount you are reheating.
Healthy Sloppy Joe Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb 96/4 lean ground beef
- 10 baby carrots, finely diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1/2 orange bell pepper, finely diced
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper, finely diced
- 3 stalks celery, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 8-oz cans tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp The Spice Girl Kitchen Okie Rub
- The Spice Girl Kitchen Tri-Salt Blend, to taste
Instructions
- Add olive oil to a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks, until browned (about 5 minutes).
- Add the carrots, bell pepper, and celery and stir occasionally. Cook until the veggies are softened (about 4 minutes). Add in the garlic and cook 1 additional minute.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The veggies should be very soft and the sauce should have thickened.
- Serve hot on buns & enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutritional Breakdown
In just 270 calories per serving, it packs:- 2.3 grams of fiber
- 34 grams of protein
- and 10 grams of fat
Troubleshooting
We all need a little help troubleshooting sometimes. If the sauce is giving you trouble, here's exactly what to do.My sauce is too thick
Simply add an extra splash of beef broth or water to thin it out. Add one splash at a time until you reach desired consistency.My sauce is too thin
Simply simmer the recipe uncovered to let some of the liquid evaporate!This post was all about how to make this healthy sloppy joe recipe.
Did you make this recipe? Make sure to tag me @thespicegirlkitchen_ on Instagram or @thespicegirlkitchen on TikTok! I love seeing your recreations! I will be your ultimate hype woman!
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