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.
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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
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.
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
Slow Cooker Healthy Sloppy Joes
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.
Amy says
This recipe is amazing. My family loves it. So easy to prepare and so much flavor.
Molly Thompson says
Love that, Amy! Thanks for sharing:)
Sara Williston says
A FAVORITE EASY RECIPE AT MY HOUSE! My BF LOVESS THESE!! I make them in the skillet for dinner, so easy and yummy 🙂
Jamie says
I have no red wine vinegar, can I omit or use apple cider vinegar?
Molly Thompson says
You can use apple cider vinegar!
Alyssa says
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!
Jamie says
Love your recipes! Have you tried this one in the instant pot? I just got rid of my slow cooker!
Molly Thompson says
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!
Julie says
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!
Molly Thompson says
Love that! Thanks for sharing!
Alyssa says
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.
Molly Thompson says
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!
Cherisse says
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!
Molly Thompson says
Ahhh Cherisse! This is the best. SO glad you love it. We make this one all the time!
Cherisse says
I came on here to write a raving review and then realized I already wrote one haha! It’s THAT GOOD!!!
Tara says
This was delicious!! So easy and yet so truly satisfying!
Molly Thompson says
Thanks, Tara!
Cheyenne says
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!