Simple 3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes | Weight Watchers Recipes (2024)

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Weight Watchers Recipe of the Day: 3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes

As anyone who has been following me here knows, I'm a slow cooker fanatic. But every once in a while when the mood strikes I pull out my skillet, which is exactly what I did last night to make these super simple 3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes.

Simple 3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes | Weight Watchers Recipes (1)

Weight Watchers Friendly 3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes

Classic kid food, I sometimes get an unexplained craving for Sloppy Joes, usually around this time of year.

Making regular appearances on the school cafeteria menu, for some reason I associate them with cooler weather and Halloween. I think Mom must have served them once before we headed out trick-or-treating and the connection in my brain stuck.

I don't know about you, but when I want sloppy joes, I'm not interested in an ingredient list as long as my arm. We're talking sloppy joes for goodness sake. But I don't make them often enough to keep a canned sauce, such as Manwich, in my pantry either.

Simple 3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes | Weight Watchers Recipes (2)

Barbecue Sauce

The solution? This Campbell's recipe for Picante Sloppy Joes calling for two things I always have in my pantry - salsa or picante sauce (affiliate link) and barbecue sauce (affiliate link) - is a brilliant solution.

These super simple sloppy joe's have just 3-ingredients and can be whipped up in 30 minutes or less, perfect when you need to get dinner on the table with minimum effort.

How Many Calories and WW Points in Skinny Sloppy Joes?

According to my calculations, each Sloppy Joe Sandwich has about 282 calories and

8 *SmartPoints (Green plan)
7 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)
7 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)
7 *PointsPlus (Old plan)

To see your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site, Click here!

Super Simple Sloppy Joes Recipe Notes

To keep your Sloppy Joes as light and Weight Watchers friendly as possible, be sure to use extra lean ground beef.

Here are a few more ideas to lower the Points value even further:

  • Replace the regular hamburger bun with a sandwich thin and save 1 to 2 Points.
  • Skip half the bun and eat an open-face sloppy joe. (-2 Points)
  • Skip the bun and eat your sloppy joe from a bowl on a bed of salad greens or cauliflower rice and save 4 points.
  • Bulk up the mixture by using ½ chopped mushrooms and ½ ground beef.
  • Bulk up with additional veggies: shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, onion, bell pepper, etc.

Better than canned sauce, and much easier and more flavorful than those I've made from scratch, this super simple 3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes Recipe is a keeper.

Rod, Mom and I all liked it.

For best results, use your favorite picante and barbecue sauces.

What to do with Leftover Sloppy Joe Meat?

  • Your sloppy joe mixture will last several days in the fridge or you could always pop it in the freezer the next time a craving strikes.
  • I used the leftovers to make a yummy Sloppy Joe Quesadilla for lunch using a little shredded low fat cheese and a high fiber low carb tortilla (affiliate link).

Are You Ready To Firmly Plant YourselfOn The Path To Lasting Weight Loss Success?

Ingredients & Kitchen Tools I Used To Make These Low Fat Sloppy Joe's:

If you like this simple Sloppy Joe's recipe, be sure to check out some of my other easy, healthy Weight Watchers friendly recipes including Slow Cooker Italian Sloppy Joes,Easy Enchilada Casserole, 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs, Skinny Pepperoni Pizza Chili and Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Casserole

If you've made these low fat Ground Beef Sloppy Joe's, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

Simple 3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes | Weight Watchers Recipes (3)

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3.97 from 62 votes

Simple 3-Ingredient Sloppy Joe's Recipe

Simple and Delicious, these 3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes are a great Weight Watchers family friendly favorite with 282 calories & 7 Freestyle SmartPoints!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time20 minutes mins

Servings (adjustable): 5

Calories: 282

Author: Martha McKinnon | Simple Nourished Living

Ingredients

  • 1 pound extra lean (95%) ground beef
  • ¾ cup Picante Sauce (affiliate link)
  • ½ cup barbecue sauce (affiliate link)
  • 2 green onions, sliced (about ¼ cup, optional)
  • 5 light hamburger buns, split and lightly toasted

Instructions

  • In a large skillet (affiliate link) set over medium high heat, cook the beef, stirring and breaking up the meat, until it is browned, 5 to 10 minutes.

  • Add the picante sauce (affiliate link), barbecue sauce (affiliate link) and green onions (if using) into the skillet. Stir to combine.

  • Cook, stirring often, until the mixture is hot and bubbling.

  • Divide the beef mixture evenly among the five buns.

Recipe Notes

Here are a few more ideas to lower the Points value even further:

  • Replace the regular hamburger bun with a sandwich thin and save 1 to 2 Points.
  • Skip half the bun and eat an open-face sloppy joe. (-2 Points)
  • Skip the bun and eat your sloppy joe from a bowl on a bed of salad greens or cauliflower rice and save 4 points.
  • Bulk up the mixture by using ½ chopped mushrooms and ½ ground beef.
  • Bulk up with additional veggies: shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, onion, bell pepper, etc.

Click here to see your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site.

8 *SmartPoints (Green plan)

7 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)

7 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)

7 *PointsPlus (Old plan)

Nutrition Facts

Simple 3-Ingredient Sloppy Joe's Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 sloppy joe)

Calories 282Calories from Fat 41

% Daily Value*

Fat 4.6g7%

Carbohydrates 33.6g11%

Fiber 1.4g6%

Protein 23.9g48%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: low fat sloppy joes, skillet sloppy joes, stove-top sloppy joes

Did you make this recipe?Mention @simplenourishedliving on Instagram and tag #simplenourishedliving - we love to see your creations!

Recipe source: adapted from Campbell's Picante Sloppy Joes

*Points® calculated by WW. *PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® calculated by Simple Nourished Living; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc. All recipe ingredients except optional items included in determining nutritional estimates. SmartPoints® values calculated WITHOUT each plan's ZeroPoint Foods (Green plan, Blue plan, Purple plan) using the WW Recipe Builder.

Watch how this Weight Watcher makes her own version of Sloppy Joe's:

More Weight Watchers 30-Minute Meal Ideas:

Simple 3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes | Weight Watchers Recipes (4)Martha is the founder and main content writer for Simple-Nourished-Living.

A longtime lifetime WW at goal, she is committed to balancing her love of food and desire to stay slim while savoring life and helping others do the same.

She is the author of the Smart Start 28-Day Weight Loss Challenge.

A huge fan of the slow cooker and confessed cookbook addict, when she's not experimenting in the kitchen, you're likely to find Martha on her yoga mat.

More about Martha McKinnon

This post contains affiliate links to products I like. When you buy something through one of my Amazon links or other (affiliate links), I receive a small commission that helps support this site. Thank you for your purchase!

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Simple 3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes | Weight Watchers Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the ingredient in Sloppy Joe? ›

It's made with ketchup, brown sugar, tomato paste, Worcestershire, chili powder, garlic, dry mustard, and a little Tobasco (if you want). That sauce coats the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper to make the filling. What's a good side dish with sloppy joes?

How do you make sloppy joes taste better? ›

Well, it's as easy as incorporating a splash of apple cider vinegar to upgrade the savory Sloppy Joe flavors. By adding apple cider vinegar, you introduce a tangy acidity to sugary Sloppy Joe sauce, effectively balancing its sweetness and enhancing its overall flavor profile.

How do you thicken sloppy joes without cornstarch or flour? ›

Potato flakes may come out a little grainy. However mashed potatoes could be used for better texture. Use oats to thicken sloppy-joes as to absorb the excess but it will be thicker the next day. Barley can be used but is more expensive.

What's the difference between Manwich and sloppy joes? ›

What is the difference between Manwich and Sloppy Joes? Sloppy Joes are the sandwich, while Manwich is the store-bought canned sloppy joe sauce, produced by ConAgra Foods and Hunt's. While the brand markets this product as a quick and easy one-pan meal, I strongly recommend you make the sauce from scratch.

What is the fancy name for sloppy joes? ›

Manwich, slush burger, yum yums, dynamite, spoonburgers, tavern sandwich; a Sloppy Joe can be called by many other names. The most well-known however is Manwich.

How do you thicken sloppy joes? ›

How to Thicken Sloppy Joes. If you follow this homemade Sloppy Joe recipe, you should have the perfect consistency, but if it comes out too watery, try adding a small slurry of cornstarch with water. That should thicken it right up!

What's the difference between Sloppy Joes and Sloppy Jane? ›

Unlike traditional can Sloppy Joes, which are often loaded with unhealthy additives and preservatives, Sloppy Janes are made with lean meat, low-fat ingredients, and a variety of fresh vegetables. They are easy to make and require only a few simple ingredients.

Should I drain hamburger meat for Sloppy Joes? ›

Do you drain the meat for sloppy joes? We suggest draining the browned beef, because excess grease serves as a barrier to sloppy joe seasonings. You'll want the beef to absorb these wonderful flavors as it cooks.

What is a substitute for tomato paste in Sloppy Joes? ›

You don't have to dash out to the store if you're out of tomato paste; tomato sauce and tomato puree are both an excellent substitute. For every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste needed, use 3 tablespoons of tomato puree or sauce.

What to do if sloppy joes are too sweet? ›

Balance Out the Flavors

If your dish is a little too sweet, try rounding out the sweetness by adding flavors or ingredients that are sour, bitter, or spicy.

How do you get grease out of sloppy joes? ›

Draining the grease from ground beef will make a dish healthier and is usually recommended. Brown the meat first to extract the fat. Then, you can spoon the grease out of the pan or use a colander to drain the grease. It is important you do not discard the hot grease down a drain as it can cause damage to the drain.

How do you make a thick sauce without cornstarch or flour? ›

Egg Yolks. Egg yolks can be a magical thickener. Whisk some of the thin sauce into an egg yolk in a separate bowl, then whisk the egg yolk mixture back into the sauce over low heat to let it do its thing.

What is the New Jersey version of Sloppy Joe? ›

There are minor variations depending on the deli, but it is always a double-decker thin sliced rye bread sandwich made with one or more types of sliced deli meat, such as turkey, ham, pastrami, corned beef, roast beef, or sliced beef tongue, along with Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian dressing.

What is Sloppy Joe meat called? ›

Ground beef, onions, sweetened tomato sauce or ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, seasoning, hamburger bun.

What is bold Sloppy Joe? ›

Manwich Bold Sloppy Joe Sauce kicks up the tangy taste of everyone's deliciously messy favorite. Made with a tomato base and bold seasonings, not only is Manwich Bold Sloppy Joe Sauce perfect for your next sloppy joe sandwich, but it's also great with tacos, meatloaf and party dips.

What are the ingredients in French's sloppy joe mix? ›

INGREDIENTS: Spices (Dried Onion, Dried Garlic, Paprika, Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper), Sugar, Modified Starch, Salt, Acids (Sodium Diacetate, Citric Acid), Natural Flavouring, Herbs (Oregano, Rosemary), Anti-caking Agent (Calcium Silicate), Rapeseed Oil, Colour (Paprika Extract).

What is Manwich made of? ›

TOMATO PUREE (WATER, TOMATO PASTE), HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, DISTILLED VINEGAR, CORN SYRUP, LESS THAN 2% OF: SALT, SUGAR, CARROT FIBER, DRIED GREEN AND RED BELL PEPPERS, CHILI PEPPER, GUAR GUM, SPICES, XANTHAN GUM, DRIED GARLIC, NATURAL FLAVORS, CITRIC ACID.

What are the ingredients in Hunt's sloppy joe sauce? ›

Ingredients. Tomato Puree (Water,Tomato Paste), Water, Sugar/Glucose-Fructose, Vinegar, Corn Syrup, Salt, Spices, Dehydrated Green Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes, Tomato Fibre, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Maltodextrin, Dehydrated Garlic, Citric Acid, Flavour, Spice Extracts.

What do you put on Sloppy Joes? ›

Worcestershire Sauce and Hot Pepper Sauce: These condiments add umami and a heat, deepening the flavor of the dish. Hamburger or Brioche Buns: The vehicle for the Sloppy Joe mixture, offering a soft and slightly sweet contrast to the flavorful beef filling.

References

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