Sweet Potato Sloppy Joes with Spicy Pickles and Jalapeños Recipe

Introduction

Sloppy Joes are a classic comfort food, known for their rich, savory meat filling and satisfying flavors. This recipe puts a fresh twist on the traditional sandwich by serving the flavorful beef mixture over roasted sweet potatoes for a hearty and delicious meal.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 tbsp tomato sauce
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup coconut aminos
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 3-5 tbsp water (adjust for desired consistency)
• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• Jalapeño peppers, sliced and seeded (optional)
• Pickles, sliced (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, toss the sweet potato cubes with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Spread them evenly on the baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through for even cooking.
2. Step 2: While the sweet potatoes roast, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Step 3: Reduce the heat to medium and add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking apart the meat with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
4. Step 4: Stir in the tomato paste, tomato sauce, Dijon mustard, coconut aminos, dried basil, oregano, chili powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through and slightly thickened. Add water as needed to reach your desired consistency.
5. Step 5: To serve, spoon roasted sweet potato cubes into a bowl, top with the sloppy joe meat, and garnish with sliced pickles and jalapeño peppers if desired. Enjoy warm.

Tips & Variations

• For a spicier kick, leave some of the jalapeño seeds in or add a dash of hot sauce to the meat mixture.
• Try swapping coconut aminos with soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce if preferred.
• Add shredded cheese on top for extra richness.
• Roast sweet potatoes in advance and reheat to save time on busy days.

Storage

Store leftover sloppy joe meat and roasted sweet potatoes separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. For best texture, add a splash of water to the meat when reheating if it has thickened too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular soy sauce instead of coconut aminos?

Yes, soy sauce is a suitable substitute for coconut aminos. Keep in mind that soy sauce is typically saltier, so you may want to reduce added salt in the recipe accordingly.

Are sweet potatoes necessary for this recipe?

The sweet potatoes add a nutritious and flavorful base alternative to bread. However, you can serve the sloppy joe meat on hamburger buns or over rice if preferred.

Sweet Potato Sloppy Joes with Spicy Pickles and Jalapeños Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 468 reviews

• Author: Julian
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

This Sloppy Joes recipe features a savory ground beef mixture seasoned with herbs and spices, simmered in a tangy tomato sauce blend, and served atop roasted sweet potato cubes for a nutritious and flavorful twist on a classic comfort food bowl. Topped with pickles and jalapeños, this dish balances smoky, sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors in a hearty, wholesome meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Sloppy Joe Meat

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 tbsp tomato sauce
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup coconut aminos
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 3–5 tbsp water (adjust for desired consistency)

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp kosher salt

Toppings

• Jalapeño peppers, sliced and seeded
• Pickles, sliced

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Sweet Potato Cubes: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, toss the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt until evenly coated. Spread the sweet potato cubes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast in the oven for about 30 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even cooking and browning.
2. Cook Onion and Garlic: While the sweet potatoes roast, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, stirring occasionally. Cook until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
3. Brown the Ground Beef: Reduce the heat to medium, add the ground beef to the skillet, and cook until it is browned and fully cooked through. Break the meat apart as it cooks for even browning. Once cooked, drain any excess fat from the pan to avoid grease in the final dish, then return the skillet to the stove.
4. Make the Sloppy Joe Meat Mixture: Stir in the tomato paste, tomato sauce, Dijon mustard, coconut aminos, dried basil, dried oregano, chili powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper into the browned beef mixture. Mix well to combine all ingredients thoroughly. Allow the mixture to simmer on medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the beef is hot. Add 3 to 5 tablespoons of water during this time as needed to achieve your preferred consistency if it becomes too dry.
5. Assemble the Sloppy Joe Bowl: Once the sweet potatoes are roasted and the sloppy joe meat is ready, start assembling your bowl. Place a generous portion of roasted sweet potato cubes into each bowl, then spoon a hearty amount of the sloppy joe meat on top. Garnish with sliced pickles and jalapeño peppers. Feel free to add any additional toppings you enjoy, then serve immediately and enjoy your wholesome and flavorful meal!

Notes

• Adjust the amount of water added to the sloppy joe meat mixture to reach your preferred sauce thickness.
• For extra spice, leave some jalapeño seeds in or add hot sauce as a topping.
• Using coconut aminos instead of soy sauce provides a gluten-free and slightly sweet alternative.
• Make sure to stir the sweet potatoes halfway through roasting for even cooking.
• Draining excess fat from the beef helps reduce greasiness and creates a cleaner flavor.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Sloppy Joes, Sweet Potato Bowl, Ground Beef, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Comfort Food, Family Dinner, Easy Weeknight Meal