My poor daughter recently said to me, “Mom I keep reading all these books that talk about Sloppy Joes, and I’ve never had one before. Can you please make some so I can finally try it like everyone else??” Gosh, she is so deprived!
Seriously though, if that’s her biggest problem this week I will gladly take it. Not to mention it was a “problem” easily solved with this recipe below. And just for the record, both kids went back for seconds. I hope your family enjoys it as much as mine did! :)
Sloppy Joes
My poor daughter recently said to me, "Mom I keep reading all these books that talk about Sloppy Joes, and I've never had one before. Can you please make it so I can finally try it like everyone else??"
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 1 rib celery, diced
- 1 carrot, peeled and diced
- 1 pound ground beef, grass-fed recommended
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- pepper, to taste
- 1 can tomato sauce, plain, 15 ounce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon, Optional: This was the “secret” ingredient that reminded me of the Sloppy Joes from my childhood, but I realize it’s out of the ordinary so decide for yourself if you like this addition!
- whole-wheat buns, toasted, for serving (for sliders use small buns or dinner rolls!)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onion, celery and carrot and cook until they begin to soften but not brown, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the ground beef and garlic, and cook while breaking up the meat with a spatula. Season with the salt and pepper. Continue to cook until the meat has browned all the way through. Drain the excess fat and discard.
Recipe Notes
We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
Nutrition Facts
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11/21/2020 — I will give this one five stars because my 65-year-old, picky-toddler of a husband ate it and said he “thoroughly enjoyed it.”
He’s been struck with rheumatoid arthritis. His jaw, along with multiple other joints, have been aching very badly. It’s been EXTREMELY difficult to feed him his “slab o’ meat” for dinner because he can’t chew it! He suggested sloppy joes. I went on the hunt for a recipe that DID NOT include multiple cups of ketchup. Finding this recipe was a blessing.
And there’s vegetables in it! To get this old fart to eat vegetables is … nigh unto impossible. This recipe does not include bell peppers or Worcestershire sauce, which is another thing that attracted my attention. They upset his stomach and/or give him heartburn.
I was short a little ground beef. Had a 13 ounce package in the freezer. I added 3 ounces of prepared, canned beans. Had to puree them into the tomato sauce so he couldn’t see them.
Yes, he IS a delicate flower. {rolling eyes so hard} Feeding him all these years has been a challenge.
And there’s honey in it instead of sugar!
On top of all that, it tastes good! Thank you so much!`
Our whole family loves this recipe. I also add diced sweet potato!
Absolutely delicious!
We love these! But my family will not do chunks of veggies easily ;) so we puree cooked carrot or use one 4 oz container of baby food carrots and we add it when we add the tomato sauce. Just a tip in case anyone needs it ;)
My family loved these! The cinnamon isn’t detectable but I think gives it a little warmth and nice flavor.
Very good sloppy joe recipe.Made it today for super bowl.Seved them with fresh vegetables and dip. Was enjoyed by all.
This recipe is my go to Sloppy Joe recipe. It’s very good and easy. It can be served over rice.
Made this sloppy joe recipe for the first time. It was great. I added some diced red pepper.
Just made it tonight…. delicious!!
Do you have nutritional information for this recipe?
We’ve loved this recipe for a while, but I am gluten free now. Made it last night and served it over butternut squash ‘rice’ – it was delicious!
Can the leftovers be frozen?
Yes. :)
Hey what’s all this new age talk about while grain and wheat not made for human consumption. I am that our digestive systems were not made to eat grains because we do not have 4 stomachs to digest it properly. Am I getting this confused. Please help me with some clarity on this issues. The reason I ask is because I see your an advocate of whole grain/ whole wheat buns and breads
Hi there. Yes, Lisa’s family enjoys wheat and other 100% whole grains and sees no reason to avoid them unless you have a sensitivity or intolerance for them.
Can you tell me what organic brand whole wheat buns too use!
Hi there. Lisa often buys buns from Great Harvest Bread Company. You can also find Ezeikial buns in the frozen breads section of most stores.
That’s funny! I had purchased the Ezekiel buns yesterday!!! Thnk you!!
When you say 1 can of plain tomato sauce. How many ounces/mls?
Hi. 15oz.