Description
This Easy Gluten-Free Sloppy Joes recipe is a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner that combines lean ground beef with a tangy, homemade sauce. Perfectly suited for those avoiding gluten, these Sloppy Joes are served on toasted gluten-free buns and come together in under 30 minutes, making them an ideal family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1 pound extra lean ground beef (93-97% lean)
- 1/2 cup finely diced onion
- 1/2 cup finely diced green bell pepper
- 1-2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 3/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: 1/2-1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2/3 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup water (or more, if needed)
- Gluten-free buns for serving (toasted if desired)
Instructions
- Toast The Buns: If time allows, toast gluten-free buns in the oven or a pan until golden brown. Brush with butter or lightly mist with olive oil spray for extra crispness.
- Brown The Beef: Heat butter or olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 8-10 minutes, breaking it into small pieces, until browned and cooked through. Remove beef and set aside. Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
- Cook The Veggies: Add diced onion and green bell pepper to the skillet. Cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables soften and onions become translucent.
- Mix In The Sauce: Return the browned beef and any juices to the skillet. Add minced garlic, chili powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and brown sugar if using. Stir in tomato paste, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and water. Combine thoroughly.
- Cook To Thicken: Reduce heat to low and simmer the mixture for 5-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens to your preference. Adjust consistency by cooking longer or adding water if needed.
- Serve: Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto toasted gluten-free buns, baked potatoes, or into bowls with sides like sweet potatoes and coleslaw. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use butter for cooking and toasting buns.
- If preferred, substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef.
- Adjust the chili powder amount to vary spiciness.
- Brown sugar is optional and adds a subtle sweetness to balance the sauce.
- Leftover sloppy joe filling freezes well for convenient future meals.
- Serve with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 0.5 cup
- Calories: 185 kcal
- Sugar: 8.8 g
- Sodium: 459.7 mg
- Fat: 7.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12.2 g
- Fiber: 0.8 g
- Protein: 16.2 g
- Cholesterol: 47.5 mg
