What’s for Dinner? The Most FLAVORFUL Sloppy Joe’s

I can’t believe I haven’t blogged this recipe before. It’s one of my fall/winter favorites that freezes and reheats in the microwave perfectly.

I would never say that sloppy joe’s were a favorite of mine, but this recipe is very unique. There’s a ton of veggies snuck in there, so this is great for kids or if you’re looking for a healthier option of the classic. With a variety of textures and flavors, you’ve never had sloppy joe’s like these before. In fact, I also enjoy eating this like chili, with fritos, straight from the bowl. No matter how you choose to enjoy this recipe, I hope it becomes one of your favorites, too.

I will warn you…there’s a lot of chopping ahead. You can do it!


***Also, this is a massive recipe, one for us to eat on for a couple days and then freeze a bunch for later. Feel free to halve this recipe!

Ingredients:
-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
-4 lbs ground meat (I do half turkey, half chuck….do what you love)
-2 yellow onions
-6 bell peppers (the more colors, the prettier it is)
-2 poblano chilis
-6 celery stalks
-8 tablespoons minced garlic, or 8 cloves
-1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
-2 tablespoons chili powder
-1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper
-2.5 cups of your favorite bbq sauce (I use Sweet Baby Ray’s)
-1/2 cup ketchup
-2 tablespoons dijon mustard
-4 teaspoons Worcestershire
-2 tablespoons honey
-2 tablespoons brown sugar
-2 tablespoons agave
-1/2 cup water
-4 teaspoons red wine vinegar (or apple cider)
-1 cup cilantro (or any other favorite herb, such as parsley)

Directions:
1. Chop all the veggies…you can skip arm day for this.
2. In a LARGE bowl, add your EVOO, all ground meat and all chopped veggies minus the garlic and cilantro. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the meat is cooked.
3. Add the garlic, stir, and cook for another couple minutes.
4. Add the cajun seasoning, chili powder, salt and pepper. Stir well.
5. Add the bbq, ketchup, dijon, water, honey, agave, brown sugar, and
Worcestershire. Stir until it comes to a light boil, then turn the heat down to medium low. Let it cook for 15 minutes.
6. Add the red wine vinegar and cilantro. Let it cook another 15 minutes.
7. Turn the heat off and let it cool for 15 minutes.
8. Enjoy on a toasted bun or however you like!

The Most Flavorful Sloppy Joe’s!

This is a fantastic recipe to use with your kids (or adults) who don't love veggies. These sloppy joe's are packed with veggies without giving themselves away.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 1 day 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 lbs ground meat I do half turkey, half chuck
  • 2 yellow onions
  • 6 bell peppers use ALL the colors!
  • 2 poblano chilis
  • 6 celery stalks
  • 8 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp cajun seasoning
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2.5 cups bbq sauce I use Sweet Baby Ray's Original
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 4 tsp Worcestershire
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp agave
  • 1/2 cup water or beef broth if you want to make it even better
  • 4 tsp red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup chopped cilantro

Instructions
 

  • Chop all the veggies…you can skip arm day for this.
  • In a LARGE bowl, add your EVOO, all ground meat and all chopped veggies minus the garlic and cilantro. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the meat is cooked.
  • Add the garlic, stir, and cook for another couple minutes.
  • Add the cajun seasoning, chili powder, salt and pepper. Stir well.
  • Add the bbq, ketchup, dijon, water, honey, agave, brown sugar, and Worcestershire. Stir until it comes to a light boil, then turn the heat down to medium low. Let it cook for 15 minutes.
  • Add the red wine vinegar and cilantro. Let it cook another 15 minutes.
  • Turn the heat off and let it cool for 15 minutes.

Video

Keyword sloppy joe, healthy, vegetables, hide veggies, flavorful, recipe, amy westerman

Mountain View’s Bean Fest is a Gas!

Mountain View, AR holds an annual “Bean Fest” and I’ve been going for a few years now. It’s my favorite Arkansas festival, actually. There’s tons of free music, a ridiculous amount of free beans and cornbread, vendors, food trucks, and it closes with outhouse races. I can’t make this stuff up.

This year was particularly crowded. Many running the event said they never expected the numbers of people attending would be higher than ever this year.

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I showed up an hour and. a half before noon, when the beans were scheduled to be served. I shopped, got my favorite chai latte from The Old Town Espresso drive-through. It really does have the best hot and iced chai tea I’ve ever had- SO much flavor! A must-try, really.

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As we sat and listened to live music with the enormous crowd, at about 11:15, it was announced that the beans were being served now. Thank goodness I showed up early!

We got in long lines at one of the twelve stations where competitors were serving their beans.

You are encouraged to try as many beans as you can and then pay a dollar for a vote stub to vote for your favorite. There’s bowls, spoons, and cornbread at every station.

Drew and I got to try three different types before the bowls, then the beans ran clear out.

We were lucky being there early, as the many people who showed up at noon were told the beans were all gone. All was left was the outhouse races at 1:00. Usually, there are multiple entrances in this race, but this year there were only 6, I believe.

The winners were announced: Daniel Andrews won the best beans and JoJo’s Catfish Wharf won the outhouse race.

This event is really special. Dozens of businesses come together to donate everything (raw beans, propane, pots, etc.) so people can take part in this fun competition. If you’ve never been to Bean Fest, check it out next year….but show up early before the beans are gone.