Paleo Sloppy Joes offer a delightful twist on a classic comfort food, adapted to fit a paleo diet. This recipe maintains the beloved flavors of traditional sloppy joes but substitutes common ingredients with paleo-friendly alternatives, ensuring a healthier version without sacrificing taste.
Key Ingredients for Paleo Sloppy Joes
The main component of this dish is lean ground beef, a versatile and protein-rich meat. The distinct flavor that sets this version apart comes from Paleo Balsamic Ketchup, a unique sauce that combines the tanginess of balsamic vinegar with the richness of tomato paste, creating a robust base for the sloppy joes.
Preparation Tips
When preparing Paleo Sloppy Joes, it’s crucial to ensure that the ground beef is well-cooked but still tender. Brown the meat thoroughly to develop deep flavors before adding the homemade balsamic ketchup sauce to simmer. Allowing the mixture to cook slowly will enable the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken, achieving the perfect sloppy joe consistency.
Serving Suggestions
To enhance the dining experience, serve these Paleo Sloppy Joes on paleo-friendly waffles instead of traditional buns. This innovative approach not only adds a unique twist but also complements the texture and flavor of the meat. Waffles can be made in large batches and stored in the freezer, making them a convenient option for a quick assembly of this dish.
Storage and Reheating Tips
For convenience, prepare a large batch of waffles ahead of time and store them between sheets of parchment paper in the freezer. They can be quickly reheated in the microwave, which helps maintain their moisture and texture. Similarly, the sloppy joe mixture can be made in advance and reheated, making this dish a practical choice for busy weeknights or unexpected guests.
Sloppy Joe’s
Traditionally made with brown sugar, this paleo version relies on the natural sweetness of tomatoes and maybe a bit of coconut sugar if you prefer. Piled on top of paleo waffle, this is about as perfect a comfort food as you can get.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Grass-Fed Ground Beef
- 1/2 Yellow Onion, chopped
- 1/2 Bell Pepper, any color, chopped
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 2 tsp Yellow Mustard
- 1 1/2 cup Paleo Balsamic Ketchup, for Whole30, make the ketchup without honey
- 2 Tbsp Coconut Sugar, optional, leave out for Whole30
- Sea Salt, to taste
- Ground Black Pepper, to taste
- Paleo Waffles, optional, leave out for Whole30
Instructions
- In a large skillet over a medium flame, cook the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper until the beef is completely browned and the veggies have softened.
- Stir in the garlic powder, mustard, ketchup, and coconut sugar until evenly combined.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10-20 minutes, or until thickened and spoonable. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve in a bowl (for Whole30) or open-faced over a single waffle (our non-Whole30 preferred method of eating this dish).
Notes
Nutrition Facts do not include waffles
Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1 gAmount Per Serving Calories 306Total Fat 9gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 74mgSodium 278mgCarbohydrates 21gFiber 0gSugar 18gProtein 32g
Nutrition is calculated by a third party and may not be 100% accurate
Stephanie
Monday 9th of April 2018
This was so simple and just like the real thing! I discovered it via a meal plan and thought it sounded good to use up some ground beef. I used plain organic ketchup and left out the coconut sugar since my ketchup is so sweet. We ate it over baked potatoes and it paired super well. Healthy eating has kind of warped my tastebuds for how my old favorites tasted so hearing my husband say this tasted like the real thing was a sure endorsement! I'll absolutely be adding this into our weeknight meal rotations :)
Kendra Benson
Monday 16th of April 2018
Awesome! I'm so glad to hear that your husband liked it as well. And I love the idea of eating it over potatoes, I'm going to have to try that.
Melanie
Thursday 8th of June 2017
This recipe is amazing-- I'm on day 11 of my first Whole 30 and your site has been keeping me on track! I made this last night, but used regular homemade ketchup and added chopped tomatoes... all four kids ate this and your bacon broccoli without complaining. I wish I would have made three pounds because it was so good and I didn't have any leftovers for lunch! Thank you again!
Katie McKeon
Tuesday 31st of January 2017
Just tried this recipe for the first time last night. It was so great! My picky eater daughter actually ate most of it and that is a big deal. Thank you!
Addy Bowe
Friday 12th of February 2016
Been using this recipe for six months now about twice a week and it really is amazing easy and delicious. I'm a whole thirty participant and this recipe when modified is perfect!!! Thank you so much for posting it!!!!
David
Saturday 16th of January 2016
How can you say whole 30 and Paleo when every recipe has wheat,sugar,dairy what's up with that? ? ? You haven't read the whole 30 book at all have you ?
Kendra Benson
Saturday 16th of January 2016
Not a single recipe on this site uses wheat or sugar, and only a few use butter (with the option to sub for ghee). I have done the Whole30 multiple times and am very well aware of what is and is not allowed. I don't cook with non-paleo/primal ingredients and don't have any non-paleo/primal ingredients on this site.