There is nothing more comforting and hearty than some Sloppy Joes mixture, sandwich between bread and some cheese. It's a sweet tangy delicious combination and the whole family will love it.
I must admit I didn't even know what sloppy joes were until I went to the USA back in 2000 on a Student Summer Camp program. The name Sloppy Joes for one just doesn't really sell it, does it?
On the summer camp I worked on meal were all provided to both the staff and the campers. So you can imagine the kind of food I saw, very American, mostly unhealthy, but also not the kind of food you turn down - pancakes, hot dogs, burgers, s'mores, brownies, pizza, macaroni cheese, meatballs and sloppy joes to name a few. They did have a small salad bar too and healthier options, but when all the bad stuff is in front of you, its hard to resist. I am surprised I didn't come back several stone heavier, but I think it was the fact I was pretty active most of the day that kept the weight gain to a minimum.
I was apprehensive the first time I tried a sloppy Joe at the camp, I mean it looked like. a burger, but the meat was well sloppy. Hence it's name I guess. But I was actually surprised, it taste pretty darn good. Not a flavour that is easy to explain, a kind of tangy sweet deliciousness.
Of course now I live in Canada, sloppy joes are a pretty common occurrence, so it seemed fitting that I really should have a version right here on my blog.
I have cooked this both stove top and instant pot before and either way works well. No idea what an Instant Pot is? (check it out on amazon). It's a 7in1 cooker, and it slow cooks, pressure cooks, saute's, has settings for soup, chilli, rice, porridge and even makes yoghurt (I haven't tried that yet).
Traditionally Sloppy Joes would have sugar and tomato ketchup in the recipe, but those are pretty high but can easily be replaced with some ingredients, such as the ones I use in my recipe.
Once cooked, layer some cheese from your healthy extra allowance onto a healthy extra b wholemeal roll and then spoon a good spoonful of the sloppy joes mixture on top of the cheese and sandwich together, the more meat mixture you add the better. You really have to replicate that sloppiness for a true sloppy Joe.
My kids love these and I always make a big pot whenever I cook this, so I can tub some up to freeze. Leftovers are always a plus right?
These Sloppy Joes are great served with this Apple Slaw and Butternut Squash Fries or if you prefer real chips, try my Perfect Fries
Looking for some more recipes to try? - Previously on Slimming Eats
- 1 year ago: Creamy Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
- 2 years ago: Asian Chicken Meatballs
- 4 years ago: Slow Cooked Chicken
- 5 years ago: No Added Sugar Baked Beans
- 6 years ago: Barbecue Sauce
- 7 years ago: American Style Pancakes
- 8 years ago: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwich
with many more recipes in my full Recipe Index
Recipe Card
Sloppy Joes - Stove Top and Instant Pot
There is nothing more comforting and hearty than some Sloppy Joes mixture, sandwich between bread and some cheese. It’s a sweet tangy delicious combination and the whole family will love it.
Ingredients
- 910g (2lbs) of extra lean ground beef
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 red pepper, finely chopped
- 1 green pepper, finely chopped
- 1 cup of passata (or crushed tomatoes)
- ⅔ cup (156ml) of tomato paste (puree)
- 3 tablespoons of brown granulated sweetener
- 2 tbs of balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbs of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbs paprika (not smoked)
- 1 teaspoon of mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- cooking oil spray
Instructions
Stove Top:
- Spray a large pot over a medium high heat with some spray oil, add the onion and fry for 5 mins until golden.
- Add the ground beef and fry till browned
- Add the red pepper and green pepper and stir to mix.
- Stir in all other ingredients, bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 40 mins.
- If sauce reduces down too much, just add a little water into the pot.
- Once ready season as needed with salt and black pepper.
- Spoon onto 60g (2oz) wholewheat rolls with some cheese from your healthy extra a allowance.
- Enjoy with sides of your choice
Instant Pot:
- Set to saute mode
- Spray with some spray oil
- Add the onion and fry till lightly golden
- Add the ground beef and fry till browned
- Add all other ingredients, add lid, close valve and set to 15 mins high pressure, allow pressure to release naturally.
- Set to saute mode with lid off just to reduce down any excess liquid if needed.
- Spoon onto 60g (2oz) wholewheat rolls with some cheese from your healthy extra a allowance.
- Enjoy with sides of your choice
Notes
Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:
- Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
- WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs - due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values.
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Nutrition Information
Yield 8 Serving Size 1 SERVINGAmount Per Serving Calories 268Total Fat 8.3gSaturated Fat 3.4gSodium 798mgCarbohydrates 16.4gFiber 3.6gSugar 7.3gProtein 33.6g
Michelle says
As a Brit, ive not heard of sloppy joes either aside from US tv programmes. Will def try this, my son will love it xx thank you Siobhan
Gemma says
This was absolutely delicious! Popped it in the slow cooker when I went to work, worked its magic and tasted awesome - thanks Slimming Eats!
Felt like a treat in a bun with cheese and chips but full of speedy veg. Made enough for a second day and it only got better overnight.
Nadine says
We don't have sloppy joes here in England so I thought i'd make this and see what they are like. Yummy!! Kids really liked it, I liked it other half devoured it in minutes lol - guessing he liked it!! Then I made the pasta bake with the leftovers, amazing! This will be one recipe that will get repeated in our house!
Nina says
Hi Greetings from the UK. I’ve only just discovered your fabulous blog.. I’ve just subscribed. I don’t use Sukrin. Could I sub with maple syrup or brown sugar? . Do you know the sugar gram equivalents are to a 1/4 cup Sukrin (which I’ve not heard of - excuse my ignorance) Have you ever made it using slow cooker? which is what I was thinking of doing. Do you think I should change anything if I make it this way? Ie less liquid. BIG THANKS!
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
Hi Nina, sukrin is equal to sugar in weight, so you would use the exact same. You can totally sub with maple syrup or brown sugar, just be sure to adjust syn value. Enjoy and thanks for taking the time to comment.
Nina says
thanks for replying, very much appreciated.
Kayleigh Somerville says
Hi thank you very much for this recipe I just made 2 big lots of it for meal prep as I will later make it into pasta bake and I can't stay away from the pots while they are cooling it's too delicious xx
Mary says
Is it possible to use quorum instead of mince on this recipe
Thank yoy
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
yes you can use quorn - enjoy!!
Linda says
Hello from Canterbury Kent UK.....
I have wanted to make this since l first so your recipe...…..
My husband cannot have anything hot or spicy....So my question is this hot or spicy?...
Also thank you for your awesomely delicious recipes....xx
Doreen says
Can I ask what is ground beef do you mean minced beef?
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
Yes ground beef is mince
Samantha says
Hi would it work with tin tomatoes instead of Passata
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
it should be okay, but I would suggest draining the tin tomatoes, otherwise, you might end up with too much liquid.
Julie says
Hi there would it be ok if I just omitted the surkrin not a fan of sweetener thank you
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
sloppy joes are meant to have a tangy sweetness, hence the sweetener. Sukrin is a natural based one and is not artificial like some, but yes omit if you prefer 🙂
Maria says
Hi does the calories include bun and cheese or is it just for the sloppy joe mix?
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
The estimated calories will only ever include what is listed in the ingredients list. So in this case it doesn't include the buns and cheese. Hope that helps.
Nicola Davis says
I am following Slimming World and this is my favourite meal, I cook for myself only, so freeze the left over, to use in pasta bake (second favourite meal, only because it takes longer).
Brilliant recipe thank you.
The only changes I have made is to use passata with peppers and chilli in for covering the pasta bake before adding the cheese.