These Sloppy Joes are Paleo & Whole30 approved, with so much more flavor than you'll get from the can and can be made in just 30 minutes.
Pictures updated August 2018, recipe is the same!
These Sloppy Joe's are a family favorite. I just made them on a whim last week when I was trying to come up with a quick meal that fit in the Whole30 guidelines. They came out amazing! Better than I expected. I didn't measure anything, as usual, so I remade them this week to get the measurements right.
Here's the ingredients you'll need. Pretty simple - the only thing that you may not have is the coconut aminos. You can find it at any health food store or online and I highly recommend it. It was such a huge part of our Whole30.
And that tomato paste? Love love love!! You can use just a little bit and throw it in the fridge until you need it again. No more wasting half a can!
Sauté the onion and pepper in a pan until they start to soften and the onions start to become translucent. It takes about 5 minutes. Note that I'm making a double batch, so the pan won't be this full when you make it. Unless you also have a husband that eats 8 times a day - then I recommend making a double batch so it last longer than a day.
Add the beef, break it up with a spatula, and cook until browned.
Add the ketchup, tomato paste, and coconut aminos. Turn on low and cook for at least 10 minutes. I like to simmer it for 30-40 to develop the flavors, but that's not necessary if you don't have the time. Serve it over zucchini noodles, a baked sweet potato, straight out of a bowl, or my husbands favorite- on oven fries. Serving it on a paleo bun would also be delicious.
I know- that looks like spaghetti sauce, but it's not. It's so much better. The (naturally) sweet ketchup combines with the savory onion, pepper, and coconut aminos for the best combination.
YUM!!
These Sloppy Joes are so good! I know you'll love them because they are so quick and easy and they taste amazing! It's a meal the whole family will love.
Here's a link to the ketchup I used. It's pretty awesome 🙂 Paleo Whole30 Ketchup
*Updated 8/18 with low fodmap instructions. Read the notes.
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Sloppy Joes- Paleo & Whole30
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil, or oil of choice
- 1 red pepper, or yellow/orange
- 1 large onion
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pound ground beef
- ¾ cup paleo ketchup
- ¼ cup coconut aminos
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Instructions
- Place the coconut oil in a large skillet.
- Dice up the red pepper and onion and sauté in the coconut oil over medium heat. Cook for about 5 minutes, until they start to soften and onions start to become translucent. Sprinkle with salt and garlic powder and stir in.
- Add the beef and break it up with a spatula. Cook until browned. Add ketchup, coconut aminos, and tomato paste and stir to combine.
- Let cook on low for at least 10 minutes. The longer it cooks the more the flavors will develop. I like to simmer it for 30-40 minutes.
- Serve over zucchini noodles, a sweet potato, or just eat it out of a bowl!
Notes:
Nutrition Information
Here is the old picture just for fun!
Alisha says
This was amazing...we added a zucchini to the sloppy joe's and ate it over mashed cauliflower!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Alisha! I'm so glad you like it! That sounds like a delicious hearty meal. Thanks for making it and for the great feedback!
Tara says
I want to say thanks for this recipe! I've never made sloppy joes before but thought my kids (3 and 4 year old boys) might like them and I've been tiring of paleo chili. This was delicious! I added diced carrots for extra veg and no paleo ketchup on hand so used extra paste and some worchesterchire...needless to say my kids devoured it as did I. First time the kids ate zoodles too!! Score!
Jessica DeMay says
Yay!! I'm so glad you and your boys enjoyed it! You're very welcome. The perfect way to introduce zoodles 🙂 Thanks for the great feedback!!
Chelsey says
Sorry - but I am new to Zoodles - are you supposed to cook them first or eat them raw? Do you stir fry the Zoodles? Thanks!
Jessica DeMay says
Hey Chelsey- no reason to be sorry!! You can eat them either way. Putting the hot sloppy joes on them slightly cooks them, but I usually cook them in a pan first. They will release a lot of water that you'll want to drain. I hope that answers your question and I hope you enjoy this dish!
Chelsey says
Yes it does - thanks so much for the speedy reply! 🙂
Jessica DeMay says
Great! You're welcome! Enjoy 🙂
Lisa says
YUM! Doubled it, and it's gone with my family of four! Suggestions for making noodles like in your photos? 🙂
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Lisa! So glad everyone liked it. I used a Paderno spiralizer for the zucchini noodles. Here is the link to the exact one I have: http://www.amazon.com/Paderno-World-Cuisine-A4982799-Tri-Blade/dp/B0007Y9WHQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1451957602&sr=8-4&keywords=spiralizer
I hope that helps! 🙂
Amy says
Made this the other night and it was delicious! I should have made 2 batches because my boyfriend and coworkers already ate most of the original batch. I added some garlic powder and red pepper flakes for some extra kick.
Definitely recommend letting it simmer towards the end like she suggests!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Amy! I agree! I usually make a double batch because it goes so quick! Thanks so much for trying it and for the feedback. I'm glad you enjoyed it and I like the addition of garlic and red pepper- yum!
Heather | HealthyLifeHeather says
We made these tonight and I'm already planning on making them again VERY soon! I'm entering a busy season at work AND we're moving into our first home soon, so we need some awesome freezer meals on hand. Great recipe!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks Heather!! I'm so glad you like them! 🙂 What a great idea to turn it into a freezer meal! Thanks for letting me know that you like them!
Jamie says
Yummy! We made this for dinner tonight, served it over zoodles. I would eat this even if I wasn't doing whole 30. Also, don't be scared of making the whole 30 ketchup linked to above the recipe. It was super easy and very worth it!
Jessica DeMay says
Jamie! Thanks so much for the awesome feedback! I'm so glad you like it! I agree- Whole30 or not, this meal is delicious! I'm happy you like my ketchup, too 🙂
Kendra says
Would the taste change too much if you make it with ground turkey? Or is it more preferable to use ground beef?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Kendra! You could definitely use ground turkey, just read the labels. Most "big name" turkey brands have added ingredients and "flavors" which can basically mean anything. I would suggest buying organic turkey if you want to use that or lean ground beef in you're concerned about the fat. Let me know if you try it and how it comes out! Have a good weekend 🙂
Kendra says
Finally made this for dinner tonight. Tastes awesome with the ground turkey. I also added some fresh jalapenos for a little kick and ate with some lettuce to make lettuce wraps. Thanks for the great recipe!
Jessica DeMay says
Awesome! I'm so glad you like it! Oh, those fresh jalapeños sound amazing! I love spice and I'm sure that was delicious! You're welcome- thanks for letting me know you tried it 🙂
Kathleen says
By chance can you omit Coconut Aminos. I haven't been able to find any in the stores yet... don't have a Trader Joe's or Whole Foods nearby. Wasn't sure what exactly the coconut aminos did for this recipe or if there was something I could substitute for it that is Whole30 friendly??? Thanks for your help!
Jessica DeMay says
Hey Kathleen, you could omit the coconut aminos, the taste won't be exactly the same though. It adds a savory element to the dish and there's nothing I can think of that could replace it. They do sell it on Amazon if that is an option. I highly recommend it for Whole30 because it adds so much flavor. I use it in so many dishes. I hope that helps. Let me know if you try it. 🙂
Rachel says
I have a gluten free soy sauce that I use. Would that provide the same flavor?
Jessica DeMay says
That would work, but that would make it not Paleo or Whole30 if you're following those guidelines.
Maggie Cain says
Well, I can't stand coconut aminos, so it's a relief that leaving it out won't leave the recipe completely devoid of flavor!
Jessica DeMay says
Really? I love coconut aminos! I hope you try it- I think you'll really like it 🙂
Malki says
I really hate coconut. Does it give the dish a coconut flavor?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Malki- you can use a different oil besides coconut, and coconut aminos don't have a coconut flavor at all. I hope you try it!
Ann Wright says
STOP N SHOP HAS IT
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Ann!
Adelina says
I replaced it with compliant balsamic vinegar. It is just flavor.
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Adelina- actually balsamic is way different than coconut aminos and I wouldn't really recommend that replacement. Great if that worked for you, but the flavors are much different!
Ali says
just made this. It's amazing. Seriously so good! I'm eating it over zoodles, and it is so yummy!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks Ali!! I'm so glad you like it- thanks for letting me know! It is so good over noodles 🙂
Stephanie says
How much is one serving?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Stephanie- that's really a personal thing. I would say 1 pound is about 3 servings, but it depends on the person. Hope you love it!
Stephanie says
Oh I do! I’ve made this recipe like 50 times in the past year. I just wasn’t sure how to enter it into my fitness tracker. Like how many servings in the recipe! Thanks!
Jessica DeMay says
Oh awesome! Yeah, just divide it up by how many times it takes you to finish it. Does that make sense? Maybe 4 if it's just you eating it? You're welcome!