Keto Sloppy Joe Skillet Recipe: Simple & Delicious

This Keto Sloppy Joe skillet recipe is delicious, simple, and certain to have your family coming back for seconds. It is low in carbs and fits into a keto lifestyle with ease. The next time you’re craving a simple recipe for Keto Manwich, bookmark this easy low-carb sloppy joe recipe to find it quickly!

Keto Sloppy Joe Recipe

I’ve loved a good sloppy joe back as long as I can remember. Since we started following a keto lifestyle, it’s one meal that I’ve missed, so I decided to create a keto-friendly version. Instantly, this Keto Sloppy Joe recipe became a hit at our house. It’s simple, it’s sloppy, and its’ fun to eat.

You don’t “feel” like you’re missing out on any great flavors or taste because this recipe is just that good. If the rest of your family isn’t eating low carb, you can serve theirs on regular hamburger buns while you enjoy yours as is on 90- Second Bread or another low carb bread substitute. I love the simplicity of low-carb Sloppy Joe Skillet, and my family loves the taste.

Are Sloppy Joe Mixes Keto Friendly?

While the mixes are a quick and easy way to make sloppy joes, many following a keto/low carb diet prefer to avoid certain ingredients in the mixes that increase the carb count. That is why I created this delicious and easy recipe for Keto Sloppy Joes.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• Ground Beef– I like to use 80/20 because of its high-fat content. If you would prefer, you can also use ground turkey as a substitute for beef.
• Onion, bell pepper, and garlic – These vegetables add extra flavor and texture to this keto dish.
• Tomato sauce, Braggs Aminos, and yellow mustard – add extra moisture and tang to the sloppy joe.
• Chili powder, paprika, and other spices– All of these seasonings add extra spice to this recipe to seal in that sloppy joe flavor we all love.

I’ve included a step-by-step pictorial for those who are visual. Make sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe and instructions.

Step 1: In a large skillet, brown ground beef with bell peppers, onions, and garlic. Next, drain the ground beef; add one teaspoon of garlic powder to the mixture if you do not have any fresh garlic cloves.

Tip: If you keep ground beef browned in the freezer, it is easy to make keto ground beef recipes more quickly.

Step 2: Add tomato sauce, mustard, butter, and all other ingredients to the skillet and stir until combined. Simmer with the lid on low for 15 minutes.

Step 3: Remove the lid from the skillet and simmer until the sloppy joes thicken.

Step 4: Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top of the keto sloppy joe skillet and allow it to melt. Serve on 90-second bread and enjoy!

Step 6: While the mozzarella cheese is melting, it’s time to make the Keto 90-Second bread to make a delicious keto sandwich.

How to Serve Low Carb Sloppy Joes?

The choice is up to you. There are many low-carb bread substitutes available. I have listed some of the most popular below. You can also serve over riced cauliflower, on a low carb tortilla, or as is.

All three of these low-carb breads are low in net carbs. Both the 90-second keto bread and the Easy Keto Chaffle recipe are gluten-free. In addition to these homemade keto breads,  delicious low-carb hamburger buns can be ordered if you are looking for a more authentic bread taste. Most low carb breads you buy at the store include wheat as an ingredient, so they aren’t gluten free.

Lettuce cups or wraps can be used in place of keto bread substitutes.

Tip: If you are gluten-free, I always suggest double-checking ingredients. Different brands and varieties may contain different ingredients that could compromise a gluten-free food.

Are there substitutes for Monkfruit Golden and Bragg’s Aminos?

Yes, you can sub Swerve Brown for Monkfruit Golden. Both are sugar-free brown sugar substitutes. Bragg’s Aminos is a healthier alternative to soy sauce. If you are avoiding soy, Coconut Aminos is a perfect sub.

How Do I Thicken Keto Sloppy Joe Sauce?

To thicken Low Carb Sloppy Joes, allow your mixture to come to a boil, then reduce to simmer with the lid off until it reaches the desired consistency. I cook mine for a total time of 20 minutes with the lid on for 15 and off for 5 so that it is thick, hearty, and flavorful.

How to Meal Prep Using This Keto Sloppy Joe Recipe

When I add the ground beef to the skillet, I prefer to cook extra. I don’t spend a lot of time meal prepping, but one thing I do as often as possible is brown extra ground beef at once and store it in the freezer divided into freezer-safe containers. You can find this tip and a couple of others in 5 easy meal prep ideas.

You can make this recipe ahead of time and store in the fridge until you are ready to enjoy it for a meal or in the freezer.

Ways to add more veggies to this keto Manwich recipe

Bell peppers, onions, and fresh garlic add extra flavor to the ground beef. If you do not have any fresh garlic cloves to brown with the ground beef, one teaspoon of garlic powder is equivalent to three garlic cloves. You could sneak in mushrooms and zucchini if they are diced very small and sauteed with green pepper and onion.

How To Store Leftover Low Carb Sloppy Joe?

Place leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze up to 6 months in a freezer-safe container. To reheat, place the leftovers in a microwave-safe container and microwave in 30-second intervals stirring in between until it has reached your desired temperature. You can also reheat on the stove in a skillet.

What Should I Serve with Low Carb Sloppy Joe?

A fresh garden salad would go perfect with Keto Sloppy Joes, balancing out the bold flavors for a delicious healthy meal. Here are a few additional favorite keto side dishes below:

• Creamy Keto Mashed Cauliflower 
• Keto Air-Fryer Roasted Green Beans
• Easy Air Fryer Broccoli Recipe
• Easy Marinated Keto Coleslaw

Tips for Making this Keto Sloppy Joe Recipe

Have fun when making this recipe! There are so many ways that you can make up this sloppy joe keto meal from enjoying it on chaffles, 90-second bread, or a lettuce wrap. Low carb toritalls would also be delicious.

I like mozzarella cheese on top, but you use any variety that you prefer or skip it entirely. I always grate my cheese by hand to avoid the added ingredients in pre-shredded cheese.

If you are gluten-free, I always suggest double-checking ingredients. Different brands and varieties may contain different ingredients that could compromise a gluten-free food.

I was so happy with how this Keto Sloppy Joe turned out! It was hearty, filling, and full of amazing bold flavor. We served a leafy garden salad for a complete and delicious low-carb meal.

How Many Carbs are in Keto Sloppy Joes?

While the full nutritional information is located in the recipe card at the bottom of the post, this recipe makes six servings at 3 net carbs each. Please note, this is for the beef mixture only. The nutritional info will change depending on how you enjoy eating it.

Other Keto Skillet Recipes to try:

• Low Carb Chicken Philly Cheesesteak
• Keto Cheesy Ranch Chicken Bacon Recipe with Broccoli
• Keto Ground Beef Casserole
• Mexican Cheesy Skillet
• Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pork Chops

More Keto Ground Beef Recipes:

• 20 Delicious Keto Beef Recipes
• Keto Pizza Casserole
• Keto Ground Beef Stir Fry
• Farmhouse BBQ Muffins 

Don’t Miss Any New Recipes:

Don’t miss any recipes like this, Keto Sloppy Joe. If you aren’t already following my Easy Keto/Low Carb Recipe Page on Facebook, where I post all my new recipes and content, join here. Follow me on Pinterest for inspiration, recipe ideas, and more low carb/keto recipes here. If you are just getting started following the keto/ low carb diet and would like more information, tons of fantastic resources and help are available. Amazon also has several excellent books you may want to check out here.

Keto / Low Carbohydrate Diet Meal Plan Master List

You can find over 100 Keto Meal Plans in one place. My Low Carb Meal Plans for weight loss list includes easy and delicious recipes that are family friendly and quick.

Keto Shopping Lists for Keto Meal Plans

There are many Keto-friendly foods that you can find at your local grocery store when shopping for a Low Carbohydrate Diet Meal Plan. Below, I’ve included links to a general shopping list as well as store-specific lists for your convenience. Make sure to print out The Very Basic Keto Shopping List to keep handy when you go shopping. Remember, you won’t need every item on this list, you can stock your Keto pantry as items are needed.