Hidden-Veggie Sloppy Joes

These hidden veggie sloppy joes taste like the classic, sweet and tangy and a little messy, with a serving of vegetables cooked into the sauce. Grated carrot and finely chopped onion and pepper soften and disappear into the meat.

The vegetables also stretch a pound of ground beef to six sandwiches, which helps when beef is one of the pricier things in the cart.

Dinner is ready in 30 minutes, and the filling freezes well for a future night.

Ingredients and Swaps

• Ground meat: Beef or turkey.
• Vegetables: Carrot, onion and bell pepper. Zucchini, mushrooms and spinach hide just as well.
• Sauce: Ketchup, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. A teaspoon of mustard adds tang.
• Buns: Hamburger buns, toasted if you like. Slider rolls work for small appetites.

Tips for Hiding the Vegetables

• Grate or chop very finely. Use the small holes of a box grater for the carrot. A food processor makes quick work of everything.
• Cook them until soft. Five minutes in the pan before the sauce goes in, so there’s no crunch to give them away.
• Simmer the sauce. Ten minutes thickens it and blends the flavors.
• Toast the buns. A toasted bun holds up to the saucy filling without falling apart.

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Hidden-Veggie Sloppy Joes

Classic sloppy joes made healthier with finely chopped vegetables blended into a rich, kid-friendly sauce.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 1 carrot finely grated
• 1/2 bell pepper finely chopped
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 6 hamburger buns

Method

 

1. Cook ground meat in a skillet over medium heat until browned.
2. Add onion, carrot, and bell pepper; cook 5 minutes until softened.
3. Stir in ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
4. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Serve warm on buns.

Notes

• Use zucchini instead of bell pepper.
• Make it spicier with a pinch of chili powder.
• Double the batch and freeze half.

What to Serve with Sloppy Joes

Oven-Baked Fries, coleslaw, corn or a simple salad. The filling is also good over baked potatoes or rice. For a bunless version, see Sloppy Joe Skillet. More ways to sneak in vegetables: Spaghetti with Veggie Tomato Sauce.

Storage and Freezing

• Refrigerate the filling for up to 4 days.
• Freeze for up to 3 months. Doubling the batch and freezing half is an easy way to get a second dinner.
• Reheat on the stove or in the microwave until hot.

Sloppy Joe Questions

How do I thicken the filling?

Simmer it uncovered a few minutes longer. It should mound on a spoon.

Can I make it less sweet?

Yes. Leave out the brown sugar and add a teaspoon of mustard or a splash of vinegar.