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A Game-Changer in Every Bite! When it comes to the ultimate game of food, few dishes can compete with the timeless appeal of a Classic Sloppy Joe. With its hearty combination of savory ground beef, tangy tomato sauce, and hints of sweetness, this iconic dish is a surefire winner that will have you scoring a total food touchdown with every bite.

Gluten and Dairy Free Classic Sloppy Joes

Whether you’re looking for something to serve along with your Dairy Free Caramelized Onion Dip and Potato Chips or an easy weeknight meal, sloppy joes are always universally beloved. Tangy, savory, yet just a little sweet, they will have you rolling up your sleeves and getting a little messy.

Ingredients

The best part of making this Classic Sloppy Joes is that you probably have most of the ingredients. Combining meaty ground beef with a few pantry staples makes this dish a weeknight winner.

Ground Beef – Use your favorite blend. 80/20, or ground chuck works well for this, but so does lean ground beef because of the sauce.
Tomato Paste – Adds richness and sweetness to the sauce as well as a velvety texture.
Kosher Salt – It doesn’t take much to season these sloppy joes.
Black Pepper – Adds just a little savory heat.
Ketchup – Helps make these messy and saucy while also adding sweetness to balance the savory flavors.
Worcestershire Sauce – Adds saltiness and instant umami.
Bell Pepper – Adds fresh savory flavor. Green bell pepper is the classic and will add a little bitterness to balance the sweet while red, yellow, or orange bell peppers will add a little more sweetness.
Onion – Adds depth to every bite.
Water – Helps thin out the sauce allowing it to cook down.
Garlic – Gives depth and savory flavor to the sauce.
Date Syrup – Adds natural sweetness while being lower on the glycemic scale than sugar. Made with one single ingredient, dates.
Mustard Powder – Adds a sharp and bright pop of flavor. A little spicy and tangy.
Chili Powder – Adds both a little bit of heat and also earthiness.

How to Make Classic Sloppy Joes

Heat up your skillet and put on the game. This classic comfort food goes from stove to table in 30 minutes.

Time needed: 30 minutes

Getting messy has never tasted so good!

Pregame
Heat your skillet over medium heat. Make sure it is hot before adding your ground beef so the meat browns instead of just steaming.
Getting Meaty
Add your ground beef. Use your spoon to break it up as it cooks. Allow it to cook about halfway through and then add your onions and bell pepper. Allow the mixture to cook until the onions are translucent, and the meat cooked all the way through.
Saucy
Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Cover your skillet and allow it to cook for 10 minutes or until the sauce has reduced down. If it becomes too thick add a little additional water to thin it out.
Serve
Pile up your meat mixture on your favorite Gluten Free buns and enjoy!

Tools

Having the right pans and skillets makes cooking not only easier, but more fun. Legend Cookware makes quality cookware meant to last a lifetime. Whether you’re looking for a new cast iron skillet or stainless pans, they have something for every home cook and chef at heart.

Variations

While this recipe for the nostalgic classic sloppy joes is made with ground beef, you can also make it with ground turkey or even ground chicken. It’s all about that magical sweet and savory sauce.

In addition, you can also have fun with the toppings. Add your favorite shredded Dairy Free cheese, diced onions, or even some pickled jalapenos for a little pop.

Top Tip for Gluten and Dairy Free Classic Sloppy Joes

Always make sure your pan is hot before adding your ground beef. It’s called browning. You want it to develop that crust as it cooks and breaks down. If your pan isn’t hot enough the beef will steam and not develop that crust and color.