From Scratch Sloppy Joe

I am trying to re-do a bunch of my family favorite recipes, and this one in particular was usually made with BBQ sauce, ketchup and Worcestershire as the main sauce ingredients. Not saying that's a bad route compared to a canned sauce version, but there are usually a lot of sugars hidden in condiments and I wanted to make a Whole30 version for some of my friends (and mommy) struggling with ideas on Week 2. 
Eating a "clean" diet or Paleo or Whole30 isn't cheap. Those that have done it know this and those feeding a family, or particular men in their lives, know this! In order to stretch my meat products, which are obviously the most expensive things I buy, I try to add vegetables wherever possible. Such is the case with this recipe- the whole onion (instead of my typical half) makes the end product slightly bigger.  You could also add peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini as my beloved cousin, Emily, suggested my on facebook page. :)

I eat this atop of roasted sweet potatoes- filling and cheap- even better with Frank's red hot on it to contrast the "sweet" in the potato (Whole30 version). I have also eaten this served over toasted Udi's Gluten-free bread.

Or we have made "nachos" with it. Charlie eats any type of ground meat- and she likes this one with brown rice or hummus... and a spoon.... yea ew, but I don't question it.

From Scratch Sloppy Joe

(Printable Version)

- 1 lb Grass-Fed Beef
- 1 Sweet Onion, chopped
- 2 Garlic Cloves, minced
- Olive Oil
- 1 6-oz Can Tomato Paste

- 4 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar (fill the tomato past can about 3/4)
- 2 Tbsp Water
- 1 Tbsp Chili Powder
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 2 Tbsp Raw Honey** Omit for Whole30 **- just  make sure you use a really good balsamic!....more honey may be needed if you are not using a "good" balsamic- always check ingredients!
- Salt and Pepper
- 1 Big Splash Worcestershire Sauce (*optional* Check the ingredients)

1. In a skillet over medium-heat, swirl a little oil around the pan and add the onion and garlic and a little salt. Cook until translucent, 5-7 minutes.
2. Add the ground beef, a little more salt, and brown completely, chopping it up with your spoon as you go. If there is a lot of grease in the pan at this point drain it. 
3. Add the remaining ingredients and reduce the heat. Cook about 10 minutes and taste for any additional seasonings. 





* To make the potatoes- Wash, peel, and cut the sweet potatoes into small cubes.  I roast them in a glass baking dish with a little oil and salt and pepper at 450 degrees for 25-30 minutes, stirring 2-3 times. *

Servings 6.0
Amount Per Serving
calories 248
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 11 g	17 %
Saturated Fat 5 g	23 %
Monounsaturated Fat 0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g
Trans Fat 1 g
Cholesterol 47 mg	16 %
Sodium 54 mg	2 %
Potassium 238 mg	7 %
Total Carbohydrate 22 g	7 %
Dietary Fiber 1 g	5 %
Sugars 19 g
Protein 15 g	31 %
Vitamin A	5 %
Vitamin C	5 %
Calcium	0 %
Iron	10 %
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.