One-pot Keto Sloppy Joes go from stovetop to tabletop in less than 30 minutes! With seasoned ground beef simmered in a rich and tangy homemade sauce they’re the perfect meal for busy weeknights.
Serve them on keto hamburger buns or over mashed cauliflower for an easy dinner.
Holly’s Recipe Highlights: Keto Sloppy Joes
- Flavor: This dish is savory, tangy, and rich with a touch of sweetness for that Sloppy Joe taste you know and love!
- Skill Level: This low carb sloppy joe recipe could not be easier, even for the most novice cook! Just brown the beef, stir in the ingredients, and simmer.
- Budget: Ground beef and simple ingredients create a hearty, four serving meal perfect for any budget.
- Meal Prep: Sloppy Joes reheat well so I like to double the filling and freeze half for a quick and easy future meal.
Cook Time: 15 Mins Servings: 4 Cooking Method: Stovetop
Ingredient Notes
- Ground Beef: Cooked lean or medium ground beef are great options.
- Bell Peppers: While green peppers are the traditional mild, yet savory choice, you can use red or yellow bell peppers for a slightly sweeter taste.
- Low-Carb Tomato Sauce: Adds rich tomato flavor and evenly coats the meat. Choose a no-added sugar option when possible.
- Tomato Paste: Provides a concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
- Swerve Brown Sugar Sweetener: Adds brown-sugar sweetness with a subtle, molasses note that is associated with classic sloppy joes.
- Cider Vinegar: Adds a bright acidity that balances the rich tomato flavor and sweetness.
- Seasoning:
- Worcestershire sauce adds delicious, savory depth.
- Yellow mustard contributes to the zesty tang Sloppy Joes are known for.
- Onion powder and garlic powder are easy ways to add aromatic flavor plus round out the sweet sauce without chopping or extending the cook time.
- Salt enhances the flavors as well as the savory taste of the beef. Add to taste.
Variations
- Substitute ground turkey for ground beef for a lighter tasting filling.
- You can add finely chopped mushrooms, zucchini, or celery to bulk up the filling and add nutrition.
- Modify the brown sweetener, more or less, to taste. Other keto-friendly brown sweeteners can be substituted according to package equivalencies.
- You can use Dijon instead of yellow mustard for a slightly sharper flavor.
- For a spicier version, add cayenne, red pepper flakes, diced jalapeño, or a low carb hot sauce.
- Top the filling with cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper Jack for a cheesy finish.
- If you don’t have low carb buns on hand, you can serve Sloppy Joes over chaffles, cloud bread, cauliflower rice, or even shredded lettuce.
How to Make Keto Sloppy Joes
- Cook and crumble the ground beef. Add the bell pepper and cook.
- Stir in the sloppy joe sauce ingredients and water.
- Simmer (full recipe below). Spoon onto keto buns or a favorite low-carb base.
Leftovers You’ll Look Forward To
- Cool leftovers before storing in an airtight container, or zippered freezer bags. Store the filling separately from keto buns so the bread does not become soggy.
- Refrigerate sauce and buns separately for up to 4 days and freeze for up to 8 weeks.
- Reheat in the microwave, or a skillet, stirring occasionally. You may need to add a splash of water if the sauce has become too thick.
More Low Carb Ground Beef Favorites
Did you enjoy this Keto Sloppy Joes recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.
Keto Sloppy Joes
Keto sloppy Joes combine tender ground beef and bell pepper with a sweet and tangy sugar-free tomato sauce. This easy skillet dinner is ready in just 30 minutes.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ green bell pepper chopped
Sloppy Joe Sauce
- ⅔ cup sugar free ketchup
- ⅓ cup low carb tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons Swerve brown sugar sweetener
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1 ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
For Serving
- 4 Keto Hamburger Buns optional
Instructions
- In a medium skillet, scramble fry 1 pound ground beef until no pink remains. Add chopped pepper and cook 2 to 3 minutes or until it begins to soften.
- Add the sloppy joe sauce ingredients along with ½ cup of water and simmer 5 to 7 minutes or until thickened.
- Spoon meat mixture on low carb/keto hamburger buns.
Notes
- Nutrition information is an estimate and uses regular tomato sauce and does not include buns.
- The carbs in nutrition information do not take into account erythritol in Swerve.
- Spoon meat mixture over mashed cauliflower or in low carb/keto hamburger buns.
- Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 196kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 1038mg | Potassium: 547mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 207IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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REPIN this Keto Sloppy Joes recipe!
So full of flavor! Very easy, fast dinner or lunch. I followed the recipe as written. I made a plain chaffle to use as my bun. I will make this again. Thank you for a great recipe.
I am so happy to hear you loved this recipe Suzanne!
Delish!
I did not have swerve brown sugar so I used Splenda.
I also used 1/4 red onion.
I will make this again!
So glad you enjoyed it, Roxanne!
Very good, use it all he time!
Hi Connie. I am happy to hear that this sloppy joes recipe is such a hit!
Thanks for this recipe. I forgot to add water and simmer it down and it was a little tangy lol. Next time I will follow the recipe better! Nice break from a burger !
Drea, glad you still enjoyed it—next time, it’ll be even better. Definitely a fun change from a burger!