Whole Food Sloppy Joes are simple to make, requiring just 8-ingredients, 25 minutes and a skillet. Smoky, sweet and hearty. The perfect weeknight meal.
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There are hectic, demanding, hard, energy depleted days when making a fresh dinner just isn't going to happen.
Today was that kind of day.
Meet my favorite freezer friendly-meal. Sloppy Joe's.
Buuuuut, not just Sloppy Joe's... WHOLE FOOD Sloppy Joes.
The whole family loves them, they are simple to make AND even simpler to defrost! Refined sugar free + a few sneaky veggies thrown in!
While you guys get acquainted I'm just going to take a moment to go back and thank my-better-self who prepared and froze this Whole Food Sloppy Joe Situation 2 weeks ago when babies weren't screaming, an un-named child wasn't throwing chairs during a full on melt down (yep.. that just happened) AND life was for the most part.. in control. Yeah.. I miss that girl.
Sooooo.. here's what makes these guys special...
Traditional Sloppy Joes almost always contains refined sugars like brown sugar. I replaced it with honey. I also made my Homemade Steak Seasoning instead of buying a pre-made one from the store. These can be full of extra additives and salt. I like to make my own so that I can control the quality of ingredients and create the exact flavor that I like. This recipe will make WAY more seasoning than is needed for the sloppy joes. Just store the leftovers in a ziplock bag or empty spice container and it will be ready to go for next time. You'll thank yourself down the road, I promise.
How To Make Whole Food Sloppy Joes - VIDEO:
Time Saving Tips and Tricks
Prep: Honestly, this recipe is so simple that prepping ahead really isn't required.
Make Ahead- Go ahead and make them when you have time. They reheat really well, and will last in the fridge for 3 or 4 days. I usually store mine in a gallon ziplock bag to save space (and dishes). When you are ready to use them just pour them into a skillet and heat em up.
Freezer- This is my favorite choice! I often double this recipe, we eat half and I freeze the other. Pour the sloppy joe into a freezer safe zipper bag and remove all air. Lay bag into the freezer flat on a baking sheet. Allow it to freeze solid overnight. Remove baking sheet from freezer and store sloppy joes for up to 3 months. When you are ready to use it, just pop it into the oven at 350 degrees until it is warmed through.
Sloppy Joe's
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 sandwiches 1x
Ingredients
- 1 TBS olive oil
- 1 large red pepper, diced
- 1 lb of ground beef (organic and grass-fed recommended)
- 1 TBS homemade steak seasoning
- 2 TBS honey
- 1 TBS red wine vinegar
- 1 15 oz can of tomato sauce
- 2 TBS of tomato paste
- 6 Hamburger Buns
- OPTIONAL: Pickles, red onion or tomatoes for serving
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add oil and red pepper to the pan. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir frequently.
- Add ground beef, steak seasoning and honey to the pan. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat and combine all ingredients.
- When the meat has browned, add vinegar, tomato sauce, and tomato paste.
- Reduce heat to medium and cook mixture 10-15 minutes, or until desired consistency is achieved.
- Serve on toasted whole wheat buns.
Let's Connect:
- You can find Simply Sissom on Instagram where I share even more recipes (some that aren’t on the blog), behind the scenes pics and videos AND tips and tricks to make healthy eating realistic for your busy family.
Other Simple Whole-Food Meals:
Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork:
20 Minute Bacon Honey Mustard Rice Bowls:
Nissa says
One of my favorites!!!
★★★★★