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Nightshade-Free Paleo Sloppy Joes with Sweet Potatoes

in Entrees, Recipes, Sandwiches

These Nightshade-Free Paleo Sloppy Joes with Sweet Potatoes will satisfy all of your sloppy joe cravings without a single pepper or tomato!

Nightshade-Free Paleo Sloppy Joes with Sweet Potatoes {AIP, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Dairy-Free} | cleaneatingveggiegirl.comSloppy joes were a regular thing in our household when I was growing up.  I’m talking the out-of-a-can sloppy joe sauce in ground beef served on a white hamburger bun.  And believe it or not, I loved every non-healthy bit of it.

But then I started eating healthier after college, became a vegetarian for three years from 2012 to 2015, and about six months ago I cut out nightshades (think tomatoes, peppers, etc.).  So naturally, sloppy joes haven’t really been a thing for me for a long time.

Nightshade-Free Paleo Sloppy Joes with Sweet Potatoes {AIP, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Dairy-Free} | cleaneatingveggiegirl.comOnce I started experimenting with nightshade-free pasta sauces and chili a couple of months ago, I began thinking of all of the other tomato-laden foods I might be able to recreate.  Wouldn’t you know, one of the first foods that came to mind was sloppy joes.  I honestly remember thinking (with a huge grin on my face), “I can totally make this work!  It also happened to be a fun challenge that would fit perfectly into this month’s Recipe Redux theme of “new lunch ideas.”

Nightshade-Free Paleo Sloppy Joes with Sweet Potatoes {AIP, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Dairy-Free} | cleaneatingveggiegirl.comMy nightshade-free sloppy joes are 100% AIP Paleo-compliant, veggie-packed, and slightly sweet with just a pinch of spice (from the turmeric).  They’re also totally delicious.

Nightshade-Free Paleo Sloppy Joes with Sweet Potatoes {AIP, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Dairy-Free} | cleaneatingveggiegirl.comI served them in baked sweet potatoes instead of on the traditional hamburger bun, but feel free to use whichever base works for you.  I feel like these or these would be awesome additions.

Nightshade-Free Paleo Sloppy Joes with Sweet Potatoes {AIP, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Dairy-Free} | cleaneatingveggiegirl.comNightshade-Free Paleo Sloppy Joes with Sweet Potatoes
AIP Paleo, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Whole 30

Serves 4

Ingredients

For the sloppy joe sauce:

1 small red onion, cut into quarters
3 whole carrots, peeled and chopped
1 large yam or orange sweet potato, peeled and chopped
1 heaping TB of avocado oil
1/2 tsp fine sea salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 bulb of garlic
4 to 5 whole medium beets, steamed or roasted
1/4 cup avocado oil
1/8 cup balsamic vinegar
3/4 cup to 1 cup of broth (I used mushroom broth), depending on desired consistency
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried basil

For the sloppy joes:

1 pound of grassfed ground beef (ground turkey works, too)
1/2 of a small yellow onion, diced
sloppy joe sauce (above)
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
4 sweet potatoes, baked

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.  Combine red onion, chopped carrots, yam or sweet potato, oil, salt, and garlic powder.  Mix to coat.  Spread onto baking sheet and roast for 30 to 35 minutes, flipping once halfway through.

2. Cut off one end of the garlic bulb, wrap in foil, and place in the oven to roast for 35 minutes while the onion, carrots, and sweet potato are roasting.

3. Once the veggies and garlic are roasted, remove from the oven, peel skins from garlic cloves, and place both into a food processor.  Add beets, avocado oil, balsamic vinegar, broth, thyme, and basil.  Puree until mixed well and most of the chunks are gone.  Set aside.

4. Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat.  Once the beef is almost brown, add in diced onions and continue cooking an additional six to eight minutes, or until the onions have softened.

5. Once the beef and onions are cooked, lower the heat to medium-low and add the sloppy joe sauce to the skillet.  Stir in ground ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric.  Simmer for approximately five minutes, or until warm.

6. Stuff baked sweet potatoes with sloppy joe mixture.  Or, if not grain-free, feel free to use your favorite bread or bun.

Nightshade-Free Paleo Sloppy Joes with Sweet Potatoes {AIP, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Dairy-Free} | cleaneatingveggiegirl.comP.S. These aren’t nearly as sloppy since you’ll likely eat them with a fork and knife.  Luckily, in this instance, sloppiness is not necessary for a good meal.

#Paleo Sloppy Joes with Sweet Potatoes are perfect for lunch! #TheRecipeRedux #glutenfree Click To Tweet


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{ 19 comments… add one }
  • Kate April 21, 2016, 9:43 am
    I remember those sloppy joes- we had them quite a bit growing up too. As an adult I've been making lentil sloppy joes a lot, but I think my husband would prefer this one! Kate recently posted...A key to happinessMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 21, 2016, 11:29 am
      When I was eating mostly vegan, I used to LOVE lentil sloppy joes. They are SO good! But yes, if your husband prefers meat, these might be his thing :D
  • GiGi Eats April 21, 2016, 8:49 pm
    THIS RECIPE IS utter genius!! Pinning it right this very second!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 22, 2016, 8:18 am
      Ah, thank you! ;) Red sauces made with beets are my new favorite thing.
  • Chelsey April 22, 2016, 6:12 am
    I've been putting every meal inside of a sweet potato lately, so this is up my alley! I don't eat meat, but definitely going to sub in lentils and give this a try!! Brilliant! Chelsey recently posted...Mediterranean Salmon Salad Stuffed TomatoesMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 22, 2016, 8:18 am
      It so hard NOT to eat a sweet potato at every meal ;)
  • Em @ Love A Latte April 22, 2016, 10:39 am
    Hey! I'm totally curious if your husband eats all the same stuff you do. I'm so impressed by how clean you eat. I'm a vegetarian, but my husband isn't so a lot of what you make now I wonder if he'd eat (because I'd still feel good that it is quality food). Anyways, just wondering! Have a great weekend!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 22, 2016, 12:19 pm
      Haha, it's funny how many people ask me this! I am very lucky in that he is not a picky eater at all (only really dislikes bell peppers and blueberries) and is willing to try/eat anything that I make. I know he likes some things more than others, but I never hear complaints!
  • Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes April 22, 2016, 1:42 pm
    OK this is the best idea ever!! I grew up on sloppy joes so I of course need to try this :)
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 23, 2016, 8:18 am
      Yes, you most definitely need to!!
  • Dani @ Dani California Cooks April 22, 2016, 3:14 pm
    I don't think I ever have had a sloppy joe....is that crazy?! Dani @ Dani California Cooks recently posted...4 Reasons Why Millennials Don’t Cook (some may surprise you!)My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 23, 2016, 8:20 am
      Oh my gosh, yes! ;) You need to try them in some form.. regular, nightshade-free, or lentil sloppy joes. They are all amazing!
  • Sarah Grace Spann April 24, 2016, 9:39 pm
    ohh how I LOVED sloppy joes as a kid. And I have always loved my sweet potatoes. So, basically I know I'd love this! Yum thanks for sharing! xo, Sarah Grace Spann recently posted...Apple Walnut Chicken Curry SaladMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 25, 2016, 10:32 am
      It sounds like this would be the perfect fit for your tastebuds! ;)
  • Dianna January 30, 2017, 11:24 am
    Sounds like a lot of garlic........but making this tonight. I've been craving sloppy joes....but can't have night shades either...thank you so much....!!!!!!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 3, 2017, 8:08 pm
      Nightshade-free cooking can be a pain, so I hope it make it a bit easier! I'm a garlic lover, but you can certainly lessen the amount if you are not.

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