Lighter Classic Sloppy Joes
This lighter version of classic Sloppy Joes has all the rich, savory, full-bodied flavor you’re craving!
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Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 210kcal
Ingredients
Sloppy Joes Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3-4 stalks celery finely chopped
- 1 - 1 1/4 pounds ground turkey or ground chicken
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 3/4 cup ketchup [We use Portland Ketchup!)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar see NOTES
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 medium carrots coarsely grated
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup water or as needed
- 1/8 - 1/4 cup old-fashioned or quick oats coarsely ground or chopped
For Serving
- Chopped green onions
- Toasted burger buns
- Cheese sliced or grated [Optional; see NOTES]
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, cocoa powder, salt, Sriracha, basil, oregano, fennel seeds, and paprika. Set aside.
- Melt butter in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Increase heat to medium-high and add chopped onions and celery. Stir intermittently until the onions just begin to brown.
- Add 1/2 cup water and ground meat to skillet with the onions and celery. Season with Break meat apart and cook until no pink remains and water has evaporated.
- Add contents of small bowl to skillet mixture and stir to combine thoroughly.
- Reduce heat to Low, cover skillet, and simmer 5 - 10 minutes.
- If mix is too thick: Add up to a cup of water before simmering (Don't go crazy, though!)
- To thicken the mixture, add 2 -4 tablespoons of quick or old-fashioned oats. This works best if you run them through a food mill or small blender first. Be careful though - you don't want to turn it into oat flour - you just want to break the oats up a little.
Notes
SLOW COOKER DIRECTIONS: Do steps 1 - 4 as outlined, then dump everything into the slow cooker, and cook on low for 1-2 hours.
INGREDIENT NOTES:
- BROWN SUGAR: If you prefer your Joes a little less sweet, reduce or omit the brown sugar according to your tastes. Also, pay attention to the amount of sugar in your ketchup - if it is a very sweet variety, you will want to cut back on the brown sugar.
- CHEESE: I usually use cheddar, or a blend of cheddar and jack. Just use whatever sounds good to you.
Nutrition
Calories: 210kcal
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
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