Looking for an easy weeknight dinner that the kids will love and can meet any dietary needs? My nourishing sloppy joes are very kid-friendly and can be on the table in less than 20 minutes! Serve it on homemade gluten-free bread or freshly milled wheat bread for a truly tasty meal.
We all need a few go-to meals that take very little time to make, include nourishing ingredients, and the whole family enjoys. This is one of our family favorites that fits the bill perfectly!
We call it sloppy joes. Others call it barbecue. What do you call it?
Easy Gluten-Free Sloppy Joes Recipe
This sloppy joes recipe really could not be any easier. Brown the meat. Add a few ingredients. Simmer 5 minutes and you’re done. That’s it.
I love that you can serve it in many ways to meet a lot of dietary needs. For those that can have bread I serve it on homemade freshly milled wheat buns, gluten-free buns or open face on homemade gluten-free bread. For those that can’t I serve it with tortilla chips or potato chips. My kids also like to eat it plain. Sometimes I even eat it on top of butternut squash. 
Sloppy Joes with Nutrition
Want to know the best part about my version of sloppy joes? It includes both broth and vegetables! Yes, my kids still love it! Dinner win!
I actually make this recipe three different ways depending on our current dietary needs. You can choose which one works best for your family.
- Original recipe – beef, ketchup, mustard, broth
- Added nutrition – beef, ketchup, mustard, broth, squash or pumpkin
- Nightshade free – beef, mustard, broth, squash or pumpkin, honey
Easy Prep Ahead Dinner and Lunch
Sloppy Joes work very well for a freezer meal. Make a big batch and freeze it in dinner size portions. Then all you have to do is heat and serve.
Not sure what to put in your kids’ lunch box? Sloppy joes to the rescue! You can heat the meat in the morning or leave it cold. Whether it’s on a bun or plain with something to dip kids love it, and it’s easy to eat.
Growing up I did NOT like sloppy joes at all. I never tasted any I liked until I made my own. Honestly, now it is one of my favorite meals!! I could eat it every week.
Now I’m sharing this simple version with you. I hope you enjoy it too.
Easy Nourishing Sloppy Joes
My nourishing sloppy joes are very kid-friendly and can be on the table in less than 20 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. refined coconut oil or tallow or avocado oil
- 2 lbs. grass-fed ground beef
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 5 Tbsp. mustard
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 cup pureed squash or pumpkin optional
- 1 cup chicken or beef broth
Instructions
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Heat a large skillet over medium high heat with the coconut oil.
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Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
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Add the ketchup, mustard, salt, garlic powder, squash, and broth. Stir.
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Simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.
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Serve on a bun, over a bed of pureed vegetables or with tortilla chips
Recipe Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey, pork or chicken for the beef.
- You can make a double or triple batch and freeze some for a future meal. It reheats very well.
- To make this nightshade free replace the ketchup with 1/2 cup squash/pumpkin and 2 Tbsp. honey.