These healthy Tomato Free Sloppy Joes are packed with flavor, but without the tomato. Made in one pan and served on gluten free buns, this is busy weeknight and family friendly dinner.
Although these tomato less sloppy joes aren’t completely nightshade free, they are tomato free for my tomato allergy babes. This healthy sloppy joe recipe uses lots of delicious spices to bring out the flavor, while utilizing sweet potato puree as the base. I’ve also packed in more veggies with the use of fennel (or onion) and bell pepper. We keep it nutrient packed over here!
Easy, Healthy Meals
These healthy sloppy joes are made in one pan and are super easy to make. This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight meal. If you’re looking for more easy dinner ideas, check out these recipes…
Honey Balsamic Chicken and Veggies
Tomato Free Sloppy Joes Ingredients
- Olive oil
- Fennel or onion: for flavor
- Red bell pepper: to sneak in some extra veggies without anyone noticing!
- Ground beef: the base of these sloppy joes
- Sweet potato puree: instead of tomato paste, we’re using sweet potato puree. I promise it’s delish!
- Coconut aminos: this adds some tang and flavor to make up for the tomato
- Salt
- Cayenne pepper
- Turmeric
- Dijon mustard: a little mustard really boosts the flavor in this recipe.
- Gluten free buns
Tomato Free Sloppy Joes Instructions
- First, cook the veggies. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the fennel and cook for a few minutes, until starting to soften. Then add the bell pepper and cook for 5-7 more minutes until veggies are cooked through and soft. Set veggies aside.
- Next, brown your ground beef in the same pan over medium heat.
- Once beef is cooked, turn heat to low and add the veggies back in along with the remaining ingredients Mix to combine well and cook over low until everything is warm.
- Serve in gluten free buns and enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
- Ground beef: ground turkey would be a great sub!
- Fennel: if you don’t have an issue with FODMAP’s, feel free to use white onion.
- Make this recipe vegan: if you’re plant based, try using lentils instead. Cook up 1 cup of dry red or brown lentils to sub. I’ve use red lentils before and it’s delicious!
- Make this recipe nightshade free: I have not tested a fully nightshade free version as the cayenne adds a lot of flavor, but try adding some garlic powder and apple cider vinegar for the kick. you can also leave out the bell pepper or sub in some shredded carrots.
- Make this recipe paleo: sub out the gluten free buns for a grain free bread alternative.
Toppings and Servings
Sloppy joes are great on their own, but I like to add some shredded cabbage to my no tomato sloppy joes!
You can also serve these healthy sloppy joes with coleslaw or a big salad on the side.
Storage
Store leftover sloppy joe mix in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Tomato Free Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1-2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 fennel or small white onion, diced
- 1 small red bell pepper, diced*
- 1 lbs ground beef **see notes for vegan option
- 3/4 cup sweet potato puree
- 2 Tbsp coconut aminos
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp turmeric
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- 4 gluten free buns
Instructions
- First, cook the veggies. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the fennel and cook for a few minutes, until starting to soften. Then add the bell pepper and cook for 5-7 more minutes until veggies are cooked through and soft. Set veggies aside.
- Next, brown your ground beef in the same pan over medium heat.
- Once beef is cooked, turn heat to low and add the veggies back in along with the remaining ingredients Mix to combine well and cook over low until everything is warm.
- Serve in gluten free buns and enjoy!
