The Sloppy Joe is a quintessential American sandwich that is the true embodiment of comfort food. It generally consists of ground beef, onions and ketchup or tomato sauce slathered onto a nice, filling hamburger bun. While tasty, the sloppy joe is not traditionally the healthiest item on the menu (as one might also gather from its presentation), but our version is lighter and more health-conscious, so there’s no guilt involved — which means you can have more fries, right?!
Besides the fact that this is a healthy meal choice, it’s also a quick and easy, 1-pot recipe — ready in half an hour! When you try this at home you’ll love the flavor and comfort of the dish, but also how easy it is to put together and clean up. You’ll make it again in no time!
One-Skillet Light Sloppy Joes
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 pounds 93% lean ground beef or turkey
- 1 carrot, minced
- 1 onion, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon steak seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 4 hamburger rolls (white or wheat)
- kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Directions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add meat to pan. Sprinkle steak seasoning over the meat and brown on all sides, breaking pieces up as you go, until it is cooked through.
- Add onions, carrots and garlic, and cook until softened, stirring frequently.
- Pour in cider vinegar and Worcestershire sauce, and reduce heat to medium. Simmer for another 5-10 minutes, or until liquids cook down.
- Add tomatoes, tomato paste and sugar to the pan and stir thoroughly to combine. Cover skillet and reduce heat to low, cooking for another 10-15 minutes, or until sauce is reduced and very thick, and vegetables are very tender.
- Taste and add salt and pepper, if necessary.
- Optional: toast buns.
- Spoon sloppy joe mixture onto buns and serve immediately.
Recipe adapted from Skinny Taste