Healthy Homemade Sloppy Joes
A lightened-up classic the whole family will love — saucy, smoky, and packed with protein, ready in about 35 minutes from start to finish.
Print Recipe
Ingredients
For the meat sauce:
- 1 lb lean ground beef 90/10
- 1 small yellow onion finely diced
- 1 small green bell pepper finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 8 oz can tomato sauce (no salt added)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt or to taste
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp honey or pure maple syrup optional, for a touch of sweetness
For serving:
- 4 whole wheat burger buns
- Optional toppings: shredded coleslaw sliced pickles, thinly sliced red onion
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and bell pepper and cook for about 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until fully browned, about 6–7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if needed.
- Stir in the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss everything together so the meat gets evenly coated.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, mustard, and honey if using. Stir well to combine.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your liking.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Spoon generously onto toasted whole wheat buns and top with your favorite fixings.
Servings: 4