Ah, the nostalgia of sloppy joes—it’s like a hug from a messy childhood memory, but now with a keto twist! With every bite, imagine a picnic on a sunny day, even if you’re just sitting at your kitchen table. This recipe is full of flavor, and it’s so easy to make that you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with takeout.
Steps
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef, chopped bell pepper, and onion. Cook the mixture, breaking up the meat as it browns. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Once the beef is fully browned, drain any excess grease from the skillet. In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar-free ketchup, golden sweetener, mustard, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to make the sauce.
- Pour the prepared sauce over the cooked beef mixture in the skillet. Stir everything together well and allow the mixture to simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Serve the sloppy joes hot using low-carb buns or chaffles as a sandwich base. Enjoy the sweet and tangy taste reminiscent of classic sloppy joes without the extra sugar.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of lean ground beef
- 1 small bell pepper, chopped
- ¼ cup of chopped onion
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- ¾ cup of sugar-free ketchup
- 2 tablespoons of a golden sweetener (such as a brown sugar substitute)
- 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon of either apple cider vinegar or white distilled vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- ½ teaspoon of black pepper
Nutritional Values
Calories: 1252 kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 136g | Fat: 56g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 24g | Cholesterol: 404mg | Sodium: 4404mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 16g | Net Carbs: 20g
FAQ
- What makes these Sloppy Joes keto-friendly?
- These Sloppy Joes are made keto-friendly by substituting sugar-free ketchup for regular ketchup and using a brown sugar replacement sweetener. This keeps the classic flavor intact without the added sugar.
- Can I customize the vegetables in this recipe?
- Absolutely! While the recipe calls for onions, bell peppers, and garlic, you can adjust or omit these based on personal preference or your family’s taste.
- What can I use instead of hamburger buns for serving?
- You can serve these keto Sloppy Joes on a chaffle, over grilled hot dogs, mashed cauliflower, or even with low-carb tortillas. They also work well as a dip with pork rinds or veggies like celery.
- What brand of ketchup do you recommend for this recipe?
- Heinz No Sugar Added Ketchup is recommended for its familiar taste. If you prefer a cleaner ingredient list, Primal Kitchen offers a good alternative.
- Are there any other keto recipes that pair well with these Sloppy Joes?
- Yes, you might enjoy pairing them with dishes like Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza, Broccoli Cheese Casserole, or a simple Keto Cheese Sauce for a full keto-friendly meal.
Tips
- Use lean ground beef to avoid excess grease. If needed, drain the fat after browning the beef to keep the dish light and healthy.
- Make sure to soften the vegetables by cooking them with the meat. This will enhance the overall flavor and texture of the sloppy joes.
- Allow the sauce to simmer with the meat for at least 10 minutes. This helps the flavors meld together and ensures the beef is tender and flavorful.
- Consider serving the sloppy joes over creative low-carb bases such as chaffles, cauliflower mash, or as a dip with pork rinds for a fun twist on the classic dish.
Equipment
- Large Skillet – For browning the beef and cooking the sloppy joe mixture.
- Whisk – For mixing the sauce ingredients together.
- Mixing Bowls – For combining the sauce ingredients.
