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 a great busy weeknight and family friendly dinner option. Add this sloppy joe recipe to your stash of 30-minute meals!

Although these tomato less sloppy joes aren't completely nightshade free, they are tomato free for my tomato allergy babes. This delicious sloppy joe recipe uses lots of yummy 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! You can't really taste the veggies, so even picky eaters should enjoy this recipe.

Easy, Healthy Meals

These healthy sloppy joes are made in one pan and are super easy to make. This simple recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it the perfect meal for busy weeknights that the whole family will enjoy. If you're looking for more easy dinner ideas, check out these recipes...

Plantain Taco Bowl

Honey Balsamic Chicken and Veggies

Tomato Free Stuffed Peppers

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. I prefer to use lean ground beef to keep this recipe healthier. Plus, the sauce adds great flavor as is!
Sweet potato puree: instead of tomato paste, we're using sweet potato puree. I promise it's delish!
Coconut aminos: there is no soy sauce in this recipe, we use coconut aminos to add some tang and flavor to make up for the tomato. Between the sweet potato puree and coconut aminos, we don't need any added sugar, not even a little brown sugar. This recipe is fully refined sugar free!
Sea salt
Cayenne pepper
Turmeric
Dijon mustard: a little mustard really boosts the flavor in this recipe. Yellow mustard should do in a pinch.
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 on gluten free hamburger buns and enjoy!

Substitutions and Variations

Ground beef: another ground meat should work! Ground turkey or even ground chicken would be a great sub. Since the sauce is full of flavor, I prefer to use leaner meats for this sloppy joes recipe.
Fennel: if you don't have an issue with FODMAP's, feel free to use white onion.
Bell pepper: This recipe calls for red bell pepper, but you can use green bell pepper too.
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, baked potato or potato chips, or a side salad.

Storage

Store leftover sloppy joe mix in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

The sloppy joe filling doesn't freeze great, in my opinion, and is best eaten fresh. But, you can definitely still freeze leftovers in portioned, airtight and freezer safe containers! Since it's so easy to make, this is a great recipe to keep on hand when you need a quick meal.