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    Home » Recipes » Dinner

    Slow Cooker Healthy Sloppy Joes (Paleo)

    Updated: June 11, 2022 | Published on: August 9, 2021 - Molly Thompson20 Comments

    Dairy Free RecipesDF
    Gluten Free RecipesGF
    Low Carb RecipesLC
    Paleo RecipesP
    Whole30 RecipesW
    Jump to Recipe

    These healthy sloppy joes are mad with simple pantry ingredients and so simple to make. Throw everything into the crockpot and come home to a paleo meal your family will love.

    healthy sloppy joes in a roasted sweet potato
    Jump to:
    • What to serve with sloppy joes
    • Are sloppy joes good for you?
    • How many calories are in sloppy joes?
    • Watch How to Make Healthy Sloppy Joes
    • Recipe

    We're always looking for easy, healthy weeknight meals in our house. We can't get enough of things that taste so good but also don't take a ton of effort to make or clean. These healthy sloppy joes are just that!

    What to serve with sloppy joes

    If you're wanting to stick with healthy sides to go with your homemade sloppy joes, here are a few ideas!

    • Serve over a baked sweet potato (my favorite!)
    • Dairy free mashed potatoes
    • Crispy brussel sprouts
    • Brussel sprout salad
    • Baked sweet potato fries
    • Summer corn salad
    ingredients for healthy sloppy joes on a table with text labels

    Are sloppy joes good for you?

    It depends on what sloppy joe recipe you're following, but this one is very healthy! It's paleo approved and I've even included a whole30 option. Even if you use a whole wheat or gluten free bun this recipe is super healthy and full of protein, veggies and healthy fat.

    How many calories are in sloppy joes?

    One serving of these sloppy joes has about 375 calories. This includes a whopping 32 grams of protein! If you want to eat it with a bun or a sweet potato add about 200 more ingredients depending on what you use.

    Watch How to Make Healthy Sloppy Joes

    slow cooker healthy sloppy joes stuffed inside a sweet potato topped with parsley

     If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below. You can also tag me on Instagram so I can see it!

    More easy paleo dinners:

    • Korean shredded beef tacos
    • One pan sausage, butternut squash and apples
    • Slow cooker paleo chili
    • Slow cooker sweet potato beef stew
    • Taco stuffed sweet potatoes

    Recipe

    healthy sloppy joes

    Slow Cooker Healthy Sloppy Joes

    This recipe for slow cooker healthy sloppy joes is such an easy dinner recipe! Throw everything into the crockpot and come home to a paleo and whole30 meal your family will love.
    4.69 from 45 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 hours
    Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 373kcal
    Author: Molly Thompson
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    Sloppy Joes:

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil or coconut oil
    • 1 medium yellow onion chopped
    • 2 garlic cloves minced
    • 1 lb grass-fed ground beef 80-85 % lean
    • 1 red bell pepper diced
    • 1 cup tomato sauce
    • ¼ cup tomato paste
    • 3 tablespoons maple syrup (omit for whole30 option)
    • 1 tablespoon coconut aminos or worsterchire
    • 1 teaspoon brown or yellow mustard
    • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

    Sweet Potatoes (optional):

    • 4 medium sweet potatoes
    • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
    • Pinch of salt

    Instructions

    • Heat coconut oil or olive oil in a medium pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the ground beef and brown until no pink remains, about 5 minutes. Drain any fat.
    • Place beef, onion and garlic in a 4 qt slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Cook on low 6-7 hours or high 3-4 hours.
    • An hour before you’re ready to serve, make the sweet potatoes if using. Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Coat the outside of the sweet potatoes with coconut oil then sprinkle with sea salt. Poke a few holes in the potatoes with a fork to release steam then bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour or until the outside is crisp and inside is soft. Serve sloppy joes inside sweet potatoes.

    Notes

    Nutrition facts include paleo version with maple syrup. For whole30 version, it's 330 calories and 12.3 carbs.
    To freeze: cook sloppy joes all the way through in the slow cooker then allow to cool completely.  Place in an air tight container and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in slow cooker or microwave.
    Prep in advance: brown the meat with the onions and peppers. Cool completely then add to a freezer bag with the rest of the ingredients. Store in the fridge for a few days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight then add everything to the crockpot and cook according to instructions.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1sloppy joe (without potato) | Calories: 373kcal | Carbohydrates: 22.3g | Protein: 32.2g | Fat: 16.8g | Saturated Fat: 5.5g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Fiber: 2.7g | Sugar: 15.7g
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @What_MollyMade or tag #whatmollymade!

    More Healthy Dinners

    • Healthy Chicken Nuggets
    • Creamy Penne Arrabbiata (Dairy Free)
    • Mushroom and Spinach Stuffed Flank Steak
    • Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amy says

      October 15, 2020 at 5:36 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is amazing. My family loves it. So easy to prepare and so much flavor.

      Reply
      • Molly Thompson says

        October 21, 2020 at 2:41 pm

        Love that, Amy! Thanks for sharing:)

        Reply
    2. Sara Williston says

      November 28, 2020 at 6:57 pm

      5 stars
      A FAVORITE EASY RECIPE AT MY HOUSE! My BF LOVESS THESE!! I make them in the skillet for dinner, so easy and yummy 🙂

      Reply
    3. Jamie says

      March 08, 2021 at 11:25 am

      I have no red wine vinegar, can I omit or use apple cider vinegar?

      Reply
      • Molly Thompson says

        March 08, 2021 at 11:30 am

        You can use apple cider vinegar!

        Reply
    4. Alyssa says

      March 15, 2021 at 5:44 pm

      5 stars
      I love this recipe! I’ve made it multiple times and it never disappoints. So easy to throw together in the crockpot and I love the idea of combining it with a sweet potato. This will continue to be one of my easy and healthy go-to recipes!

      Reply
    5. Jamie says

      April 05, 2021 at 4:31 pm

      Love your recipes! Have you tried this one in the instant pot? I just got rid of my slow cooker!

      Reply
      • Molly Thompson says

        April 08, 2021 at 8:44 pm

        Hey Jamie! So glad you love my recipes:) I haven't tried this in the instant pot, but here is what I would do if I did!

        Follow the directions to saute and cook everything in the pot then cancel it and pressure cook on high for 10 minutes, natural release for 5 ish mins and then quick release. Let me know if that works!

        Reply
        • Julie says

          November 20, 2021 at 1:44 pm

          I just made this for the first time and followed your suggestions for the Instant Pot . . . It worked out great! Don’t have a comparison to the slow cooker so might have to try that next time to compare.

          Great flavor profile!

          Reply
          • Molly Thompson says

            November 21, 2021 at 11:11 am

            Love that! Thanks for sharing!

            Reply
    6. Alyssa says

      August 24, 2021 at 7:07 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is a staple in our house! We make it at least once a month. Never would have thought to pair sloppy joe’s with sweet potatoes. This recipe doesn’t call for salt and really needs it though! I always add salt to the beef after I brown it and then add more salt at the end as well.

      Reply
      • Molly Thompson says

        September 01, 2021 at 11:58 am

        Thanks, Alyssa! I think you're right about the salt. I need to update the recipe, that might be a typo. I typically add salt, especially to beef recipes. Thanks!

        Reply
    7. Cherisse says

      September 02, 2021 at 4:55 pm

      5 stars
      This is the BEST slow cooker I have EVER tried!!! I just made it and it’s already on my list to make again for next week! THANK YOU for bringing this childhood favorite back for me!

      Reply
      • Molly Thompson says

        September 09, 2021 at 10:41 am

        Ahhh Cherisse! This is the best. SO glad you love it. We make this one all the time!

        Reply
    8. Cherisse says

      October 09, 2021 at 10:05 pm

      5 stars
      I came on here to write a raving review and then realized I already wrote one haha! It’s THAT GOOD!!!

      Reply
    9. Tara says

      October 20, 2021 at 10:05 pm

      5 stars
      This was delicious!! So easy and yet so truly satisfying!

      Reply
      • Molly Thompson says

        October 25, 2021 at 1:09 pm

        Thanks, Tara!

        Reply
    10. Cheyenne says

      April 02, 2022 at 6:49 pm

      5 stars
      My husband and I are on our second round of whole 30 so we omitted the maple syrup to be compliant and this came out absolutely fantastic! Very flavorful and will be making again! Thank you!

      Reply
    11. Courtney says

      August 09, 2022 at 7:16 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is sooooo good! I forgot to slow cook it so I cooked it in the Instant Pot and it was so good. I’ve already made it 3 times now.

      Reply
    12. Lindsey Abendroth says

      October 24, 2022 at 9:48 am

      5 stars
      We love this recipe and make it about once a week! So yummy. Making a double batch today 😋

      Reply

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