Keto Sloppy Joes
Saucy, tangy-sweet ground beef simmered with peppers and onions in a sugar-free tomato sauce. Pile it on a keto bun, into lettuce cups or over cauliflower mash.
Nutrition per serving
about ¾ cup filling- Net carbs
- 5.3g
- Calories
- 417kcal
- Protein
- 27g
- Fat
- 31g
- Total carbs
- 9.1 g
- Fiber
- 1.7 g
Calculated from USDA FoodData Central values for each ingredient (optional ingredients excluded). Brands vary — check your labels if you track closely.
Ingredients
Turkey sloppy joes: Lean ground turkey soaks up the tangy sauce and makes a lighter sandwich filling.
- Heat the oil before adding the turkey and cook until no pink remains and it reaches 165°F (74°C). There's no fat to spoon off.
Vegan (mushroom & walnut): Finely chopped mushrooms and toasted walnuts make a hearty, "meaty" plant-based filling; tamari replaces the Worcestershire.
- Cook the mushrooms in the oil over medium-high heat 10–12 minutes, until their liquid has evaporated and they are browned, then add the onion and pepper. Stir in the walnuts with the sauce ingredients and simmer as written.
- Also add
- Also add
Estimated cost $16.39 for 6 servings ($2.73 each) · how we estimate
Instructions
-
Cook the beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles, until browned and no pink remains (160°F/71°C), 8–10 minutes. Spoon off most of the fat.
-
Add the onion and bell pepper and cook 5 minutes, until softened. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook 1 minute.
-
Add the tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire, vinegar, sweetener, chili powder, salt, pepper and water. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
-
Simmer uncovered 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick enough to mound on a spoon. Taste and balance with a little more vinegar or sweetener.
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Serve on keto hamburger buns, in lettuce cups or over cauliflower mash. Dill pickle chips and a slice of cheddar are excellent on top.
Tips for success
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Canned sloppy joe sauce can carry more than 15 g of sugar per serving; this version gets its sweet-tangy balance from a little keto sweetener and vinegar. - Simmer until really thick so the filling stays on the bun instead of soaking through it.
- Leftovers make a quick filling for stuffed peppers or a topping for pork rind nachos.
Nice to have, not needed
- Toasted keto hamburger buns make classic sandwiches — lettuce cups or a bowl work just as well.
Storage & meal prepMeal-prep friendly
- Keeps 4 days in the fridge
- Freezes up to 3 months
Reheat: Warm in a saucepan over medium heat with a splash of water, or microwave 1½–2 minutes, stirring halfway.
Prep tip: Freeze flat in zip-top bags in 2-serving portions; they thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in minutes.
Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.
Variations
2 variations, each with its own ingredients and macrosTurkey sloppy joes
ProteinLean ground turkey soaks up the tangy sauce and makes a lighter sandwich filling.
- ground beef (80/20) → ground turkey
- + 1 tbsp olive oil
5.3 g net · 277 kcal · 31 g protein · 14 g fat · ≈$2.32 per serving (same net carbs as the original)
Vegan (mushroom & walnut)
DietFinely chopped mushrooms and toasted walnuts make a hearty, "meaty" plant-based filling; tamari replaces the Worcestershire.
- ground beef (80/20) → cremini mushrooms
- Worcestershire sauce → tamari or soy sauce
- + 1 cup walnuts
- + 2 tbsp olive oil
8 g net · 217 kcal · 7 g protein · 18 g fat · ≈$1.65 per serving (+2.7 g net carbs vs the original)
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