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Give sloppy joe night a remix with these Healthy Sloppy Joes! They’re made with all of the same classic ingredients like beef, seasonings, ketchup, and tomato sauce, but with lots of veggies added! It’s an easy-to-make meal that the entire family will love.
An easy and healthier sloppy joe recipe
In our house, sloppy joe night isn’t just another night. It’s the best night of the week! And that’s because we love to make this delicious, from scratch sloppy joe recipe.
That’s right โ we’re skipping the store bought can and going with this flavorful homemade rendition featuring onion, carrots, celery, bell pepper, loads of seasonings, and even honey! And yes, you read that right โ this recipe sneaks in 4 different veggies. Not only is it protein-rich and filling, but it’s also packaged with nutrients thanks to the different veggies, ACV, and other ingredients!
Ingredients in healthy sloppy joes
When it comes to sloppy joe ingredients, we’re using delicious items like garlic, onion powder, honey, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and loads of veggies! Below is a complete list of everything you’ll need:
- Olive oil: First, 2 tbsp of olive oil will be used to cook the veggies.
- Vegetables: For the veggies themselves, we’ll be using 1/2 of a yellow onion, 1 cup of carrots, 1 cup of celery, and 1 green bell pepper. All of the veggies need to be diced (and the celery finely diced) before using in the recipe.
- Garlic: Next, add flavor with 3 cloves of minced garlic. If using garlic powder, you will need 3/4 tsp.
- Beef: As for the meat, we will be using 1lb of ground beef. You can use ground chicken or ground turkey if preferred.
- Seasonings: To season up the beef, use 1/2 tsp of salt, 1 tsp of chili powder, and 1 tsp of onion power.
- Honey: Next up is an unexpected ingredient: honey. Use 1 tbsp to add a dash of sweet flavor to the dish. This is undetectable in the final recipe but does make a difference in the overall flavor!
- Worcestershire sauce: Follow the honey with 1 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce for good measure.
- Apple cider vinegar: Then, add a bit of vinegar by using 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar.
- Tomato sauce: 1 cup of tomato sauce will start to bring the sloppy joe recipe together.
- Ketchup: Follow the sauce with 1/3 cup of your favorite type of ketchup.
- Water or broth: Round out the sloppy joes and help the mixture achieve the right consistency by adding 1/2 cup of water.
- Cheese: You will need 1 slice of cheddar cheese per sandwich.
- To serve: Serve sloppy joe over buns or on a bed of potatoes or rice!
Tools used to make this recipe for healthy sloppy joes
When it comes to making this recipe, only a few kitchen tools are required. Below is a complete list, as well as a list of measuring cup sizes needed to prep ingredients.
- Cutting board
- Cutting knife
- Large skillet
- Stirring utensil
For measuring, you will need the following sized measuring cups: 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup.
How to make this healthy sloppy joe recipe
Using only the stovetop, this recipe comes together in under 30 minutes! It’s easy to whip up, is made in just one pot, and yields 7.5 large servings.
To begin, grab a large skillet and heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the onions, carrots, celery, and pepper. Cook for about 5-6 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
Add the ground beef and break it up, cooking until it’s no longer pink. Then, add the salt, chili powder, and onion powder. Stir until combined.
Next, add the honey, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, tomato sauce, ketchup, and water, stirring until everything is combined. Let the meat mixture simmer over medium heat for 10-15 minutes or until it thickens. If too thick, add more liquid.
Add 2/3 cup of meat to each bun, and top with a slice of cheddar cheese. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
How are you supposed to eat sloppy joes?
Sloppy joe is best when served right on a hamburger bun! You can use regular or whole wheat buns. But, if you’re looking for alternative ways to enjoy it, it also tastes great atop a bed of potatoes or rice.
What’s the difference between a sloppy joe and Manwich?
The main difference is that this sloppy joe recipe is made from scratch, and Manwich is a pre-made store bought version. Both taste delicious, but you can’t beat that from-scratch feeling!
What’s the difference between a sloppy joe and chili?
Sloppy joes and chili aren’t actually very similar at all! While they’re both most frequently made with a ground beef base, chili also brings in beans and other ingredients. It’s more of a stew, whereas sloppy joes are a totally different ballgame!
Storing leftovers
After it cools, leftover sloppy joe should be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator or freezer. If refrigerating, enjoy within 2-3 days. If freezing, enjoy within 2-3 months.
Be sure to store without the buns, as storing pre-assembled sandwiches will result in soggy bread.
What to enjoy with sloppy joes
Sloppy joes can be enjoyed with a world of different sides! Serve ’em up alongside Crispy Baked Chili Lime Sweet Potato Fries or Roasted Garlic Parmesan Potatoes, get some extra veggies in with Green Bean Casserole or Garlic Sesame Green Beans, or go for a salad like this Spinach Quinoa Feta or Cashew Crunch Salad!
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
This week, whip up one of these easy meals for a tasty dish the entire family will love!
- Italian Wedding Soup Recipe
- Sweet Italian Sausage Chili
- Broccoli Sausage Pasta Bake
- Cider Braised Chicken
All recipes by Erin Morrissey and Photos by Sierra Inn
Healthy Sloppy Joes
Give sloppy joe night a remix with these Healthy Sloppy Joes! They’re made with all of the same classic ingredients like beef, seasonings, ketchup, and tomato sauce, but with lots of veggies added! It’s an easy-to-make meal that the entire family will love.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup carrots, finely diced
- 1 cup celery, finely diced
- 1 green pepper, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1lb ground beef
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup water or broth
- cheddar cheese slices
- buns or potatoes/rice to serve over
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot add onions, carrots, celery, and pepper. Cook about 5-6 minutes until softened. Add in garlic and cook another minute.
- Add ground beef and break up, cooking until no longer pink. Add salt, chili powder, and onion powder. Stir until combined.
- Add in honey, worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, tomato sauce, ketchup, and water, stirring until all combined. Let simmer over medium heat for 10-15 minutes or until thickened. If too thick, add more liquid.
- Add 2/3 cup meat to each bun and a slice of cheddar cheese on top. Enjoy!
There may be affiliate links in this post!ย By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat ๐
Francesca says
This was easy and fast. We liked it, but felt it was too sweet. Next time will eliminate the honey.
★★★★
Erin says
Hi Francesca, so glad you liked it and feel free to make it your own! ๐
jazmyne says
OMG!! so good and very nostalgic!! will def make again ๐
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Jazmyne, so happy you loved them! ๐
Janet Hager says
My wife and I loved it. Will make it again. The honey was a pleasant surprise!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Janet, so happy you both enjoyed them!! ๐
Lauren M says
Easy and Delish!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Lauren, so happy you loved them! ๐
Laura Hanley says
I made these tonight for my family of 5 and everyone gobbled them up. SO YUMMY!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Laura, so happy they were such a big hit! ๐
Allison says
These are delicious! I made the recipe as is. The veggies blend very well with the meat mixture. I served the sloppy Joeโs on a bun and had roasted potatoes and salad on the side. Iโll definitely be making these again!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Allison, so happy you loved them and great side choices!! ๐
Jess says
These tasted so much better than what my mom used to make๐คญ ๐ 10/10 will make again!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Jess, so happy you loved them!! ๐
Brooke says
Sooooo good! Such an easy staple thatโs delicious and reminds you of your childhood. Will be making again and again!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Brooke, so happy you loved them! ๐
Kate says
SO delicious!! Love all of the veggies, but you hardly notice they are there. My husband could not get enough. Canโt wait to make more ELW recipes ๐
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kate, so happy you both loved them! ๐
Jennifer says
These were amazing!!! I was nervous it wouldnโt thicken up, but it did and was delicious!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Jennifer, so happy you loved them!!
Ashley says
I made this last week for my family and everyone loved it! Great way to incorporate some veggies it was delicious.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Ashley, so happy they were a hit!! ๐
Nicole Lucia says
I made this this past weekend & it was SO GOOD! So nostalgic. I was craving it again today haha
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Nicole, so glad you loved them!!
Megan says
I made this for dinner tonight and OMG it was SO GOOD!!! Tastes just like the nostalgic sloppy joes of the 90s but so much better. My husband said I need to make this weekly!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Megan, so happy you both loved it! ๐