The BEST gluten-free sloppy joe recipe that’s not only delicious, but also quick and easy to make! Made with real ingredients instead of canned sauce. Make this recipe for a crowd-pleasing dinner any night!
Are you a fan of sloppy joes? These gluten-free sloppy joes are one of my kids all-time favorite meals. With a BBQ-sauce-based sauce that is full of flavorful ingredients, this recipe will win over any sloppy-joe skeptic.
This is a great recipe to have in your back pocket whenever you need a quick and easy meal that’s also a crowd-pleaser. Serve them up with some gluten-free buns and dairy-free coleslaw and you’ve got a great meal for any occasion.
For more gluten-free dinner use this gluten-free enchilada sauce to make delicious chicken enchiladas.
Ingredients for Gluten-Free Sloppy Joes
To ensure these sloppy joes are gluten-free, you’ll have to keep a few things in mind.
- BBQ Sauce: Pick a BBQ sauce that is labeled certified gluten-free. The most common brands you can find are Stubbs or Sweet Baby Rays. I prefer Stubbs original for these sloppy joes.
- Tamari: AKA gluten-free soy sauce. Tamari is made with 100% soy beans rather than a mixture of wheat and soy beans.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Lea & Perrins brand is labeled gluten-free and is a good option.
- Ketchup: I’ve never seen a brand of ketchup that isn’t gluten-free so most any kind will work. I use the kind from Trader Joe’s to avoid HFCS.
How to Make Gluten-Free Sloppy Joes
One of my favorite things about this recipe is that it comes together so quickly. It’s also a one-pot meal.
- Start by heating the oil and onions in a large pot. Cook until softened.
- Add the meat (ground beef or turkey both work great) and brown, breaking up with a wooden spoon until cooked through.
- Once the meat is cooked, drain off any excess grease and return the meat/onion mixture to the pan.
- Add all the ingredients for the sauce to the pot. Stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 10-15 minutes until combined and heated through. Serve on toasted gluten-free buns!
Gluten-Free Buns
There are several brands of gluten-free buns I’d recommend. My very favorite are the gluten-free hamburger buns from Trader Joe’s (pictured above). However, those are only available during the summer months (stock your freezer!). I also love Canyon Bakehouse gluten-free buns.
Storage/Freezing Instructions
Whenever I make these gluten-free sloppy joes I double the recipe and freeze a meal for later.
- To Freeze: Cool in the refrigerator before transferring to a ziploc freezer bag to freeze.
- To Reheat: Thaw in the fridge overnight then reheat, or defrost in the microwave until heated through.
More Gluten-Free Dinner Recipes
- Gluten-Free Chili is our family’s tried and true recipe! A little spicy and full of flavor.
- Gluten-Free Beef Stew makes a comforting meal any time of year.
- Instant Pot BBQ Chicken is a reader-favorite and so easy to make.
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The Best Sloppy Joes (Gluten-Free)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 ½ pounds ground beef or turkey
- ⅔ cup bbq sauce, be sure it is gluten-free, I like Stubbs
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup tamari, (gluten-free soy sauce)
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, be sure it is gluten-free
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 gluten-free buns,
Instructions
- In a large dutch oven over medium heat, add the olive oil and chopped onion. Saute until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the meat and cook, stirring and breaking it up until it is finely ground. Cook until browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the grease off the meat and vegetables.
- Stir in the bbq sauce, ketchup, tamari, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, soy sauce and ½ teaspoon ground pepper. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes, until thickened.
- Serve over toasted buns. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- BBQ Sauce: Pick a BBQ sauce that is labeled certified gluten-free. The most common brands you can find are Stubbs or Sweet Baby Rays. I prefer Stubbs original for these sloppy joes.
- Tamari: AKA gluten-free soy sauce. Tamari is made with 100% soy beans rather than a mixture of wheat and soy beans.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Lea & Perrins brand is labeled gluten-free and is a good option.
- Ketchup: I’ve never seen a brand of ketchup that isn’t gluten-free so most any kind will work. I use the kind from Trader Joe’s to avoid HFCS.
- To Freeze: Cool in the refrigerator before transferring to a ziploc freezer bag to freeze.
- To Reheat: Thaw in the fridge overnight then reheat, or defrost in the microwave until heated through.
