Sloppy Joes

Gluten-free | Sugar-free | Dairy-free

Makes enough filling for 4-6 portions

Why it’s delicious

The first time I came across a sloppy joe, I was 8 years old and I was on holiday camp. I remember sitting in the mess hall in front of a plate of sloppy, savoury mince served in a hot dog roll. I was in heaven. 

It seems the old sloppy joe is the staple of campgrounds, school canteens and picnic tables in all corners of the world when you want something easy, simple, cheap and comforting. With this recipe, I take all those elements into account and then add my healthy twist. Gluten, sugar and dairy-free sloppy joes that taste delicious! 

Helpful hints and tips 

I serve my sloppy joes with my psyllium husk bread rolls. You can find this recipe HERE. 

You can also serve your sloppy joe filling in one of your favourite gluten-sugar-free breads or rolls, or you can even try serving the filling in a lettuce cup for a bread-free version! 

This recipe requires Bridget's Sticky Sauce, a healthy cooking sauce I use in many of my recipes. It's simple, healthy and packs a lot of flavour without adding unnecessary calories. If you need the recipe, you can get it here.

My Roasted Tomato Sauce, which was created for my homemade meatballs, is also used in this recipe. It’s free from gluten, sugar, and dairy and has no added fats or oils. Get the recipe here. 

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp Bridget's Sticky Sauce
• 1 medium onion, peeled and very finely chopped
• 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh garlic
• 500 g (1.1 lb) chicken or turkey mince (ground)
• 200 g (7 oz) Roasted Tomato Sauce
• 2 tbsp Sugar-free Dijon mustard (I use the French brand Maille mustard) 
• 2 tbsp coconut aminos, optional 
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• Himalayan salt

• 10-12 slices of fresh or pickled cucumbers to serve 
• 5- 6 portions of my psyllium husk bread rolls or your favourite gluten-free bread or rolls to serve 

Method

1. Make the sloppy joe filling by heating a medium pot or non-stick wok on medium to high heat with the sticky sauce, onion and garlic. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes. 
2. Add the chicken or turkey mince and continue to cook and stir fry for 5-8 minutes until the meat is cooked through, well broken up and separated. 
3. Add the tomato sauce, mustard, garlic powder and black pepper, season with salt and stir well to combine.  Turn the heat down to medium and allow the mixture to bubble gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
4. Taste for flavour, adding more garlic powder, salt or pepper if you deem necessary. 
5. Serve “stuffed” into gluten-free bread rolls, sandwiched between 2 slices of bread or served in hot dog rolls along with some slices of cucumber for additional texture. 
6. These are messy to eat, so serve outside with a bib or be prepared for a sloppy, delicious mess.