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Home > Gluten-Free Dinner Recipes > Gluten-Free Sloppy Joes

Gluten-Free Sloppy Joes

LAST UPDATED: September 8, 2020 PUBLISHED: Sep 1, 2020 7 Comments
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image for pinterest of how to make sloppy joes collage

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!

gluten-free sloppy joe on bun with gray plate and marble background

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.

Ingredients for Gluten-Free Sloppy Joes

overhead shot of ingredients for sauce mixture 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.

onions cooking in oil until softened
  • Start by heating the oil and onions in a large pot. Cook until softened.
adding meat to pot to break up and brown
  • Add the meat (ground beef or turkey both work great) and brown, breaking up with a wooden spoon until cooked through.
meat and onions cooked after draining grease
  • Once the meat is cooked, drain off any excess grease and return the meat/onion mixture to the pan.
adding remaining sauce ingredients to the pot
  • Add all the ingredients for the sauce to the pot. Stir to combine.
sloppy joe mixtures simmering in purple pot
  • Bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 10-15 minutes until combined and heated through. Serve on toasted gluten-free buns!
close up shot of sloppy joe to show texture of meat on gray plate

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.

Hungry for more? Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter for all of the latest updates.

sloppy joe served on gluten free bun on gray plate

The Best Sloppy Joes (Gluten-Free)

Author: Erin Collins
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 40 mins
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!
5 from 5 votes
Servings: 8 servings
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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 1/2 pounds ground beef or turkey
  • 2/3 cup bbq sauce, be sure it is gluten-free, I like Stubbs
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup tamari, (gluten-free soy sauce)
  • 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, be sure it is gluten-free
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 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 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes, until thickened.
  • Serve over toasted buns. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Ingredient 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.
Storing/Freezing
Whenever I make these 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.
Nutrition Facts
The Best Sloppy Joes (Gluten-Free)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 388 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 91mg30%
Sodium 1156mg50%
Potassium 668mg19%
Carbohydrates 41g14%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 16g18%
Protein 37g74%
Vitamin A 257IU5%
Vitamin C 4mg5%
Calcium 28mg3%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
NUTRITION INFORMATION:
Calories: 388kcal
Erin of Meaningful Eats

Hi, I'm Erin!

BS Food Science, MS Nutrition
I believe you can make amazing, gluten-free food with everyday ingredients that everyone will enjoy. I'm here to share my tried-and-true recipes with you! More About Erin

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Amber Neff says

    January 16, 2016 at 9:10 am

    5 stars
    Hi,
    I’m anxious to try this recipe for a get together I’m having next wwwk and at least two of us are gluten intolerant or Barley allergic. Can you recommend a BBQ sauce that is both barley free and GF??
    Thansk so much.
    Amber

    Reply
    • Erin Collins says

      January 16, 2016 at 9:58 am

      Hi Amber! Stubbs BBQ sauce or Sweet Baby Ray’s are both gluten-free! Let me know if you have any more questions.

      Reply
  2. Terry says

    November 02, 2016 at 12:13 pm

    5 stars
    This is now a regular meal that my partner and I love. I became gluten free March of 2016 and thought it would be hard but recipes like this one has
    Made it a much easier transitions. I make this at least once every two week

    Reply
    • Erin Collins says

      November 03, 2016 at 3:13 pm

      I’m so happy to hear this! Glad the recipe have been helpful!

      Reply
  3. Debbie Lykes says

    March 31, 2018 at 6:43 pm

    5 stars
    Wonderful recipe, totally comfort food. I have never cooked gluten free before, but found everything I needed at Whole Foods. Took the meal to the family of an ill co-worker. His kids were so excited, in fact one chased me out to the car to let me know it was “to die for.” Awe, made me so happy! Thank you!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Reply
  4. Madison says

    November 19, 2019 at 8:05 am

    5 stars
    These sloppy joes are SO flavorful! It takes me back to my childhood.

    Reply
  5. Carla Schillig says

    November 13, 2020 at 5:39 am

    5 stars
    I made this yesterday for our RV Park didn’t tell them it was gluten free. They LOVED IT!! We have a resident that needs gluten free. I try to make meals that she can eat AA mych as I can.

    Reply

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Erin of Meaningful Eats

Hi, I'm Erin!

BS Food Science, MS Nutrition
I believe you can make amazing, gluten-free food with everyday ingredients that everyone will enjoy. I'm here to share my tried-and-true recipes with you! More About Erin

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Join my free email list to receive this Gluten-Free Dinners cookbook!

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