Description
These slow cooker healthy sloppy joes are a wholesome twist on a classic comfort food, made with lean ground beef, clean ingredients, and packed with hidden veggies. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium carrot, shredded or finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 pounds lean ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar or light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Optional: hamburger buns, sweet potato buns or lettuce wraps, for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, red pepper, and carrot. Cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 1 minute.
- Add the ground beef or turkey to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
- Transfer the cooked meat and veggie mixture to the slow cooker.
- Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, coconut sugar, salt, pepper, paprika, chili powder, and cinnamon to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Stir before serving. Serve on buns, sweet potato buns, or in lettuce wraps.
Notes
- You can make this recipe ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- It’s freezer-friendly – store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
- Feel free to add more veggies like zucchini or mushrooms for extra nutrition.
- Use ground turkey for an even leaner option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (without bun)
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
