Making your own Sloppy Joe seasoning mix, saves a small fortune over buying the prepackaged gluten free version from the store, plus it can be prepared with as much or as little salt as you want to add. I’ve used cornmeal as the thickener because my step-mother, who is from Nicaragua, uses it to thicken tacos and it turns out to work great with sloppy joes too. It makes the Joes nice and thick, but you don’t notice it at all in the prepared dish. If you are allergic to corn then feel free to substitute an equal amount of rice flour.
I make a meal of Sloppy Joes, by serving it over cornmeal pancakes, or rolled up in corn tortillas. It’s good on cornmeal mush or cornmeal cutlets too. When we are in a rush we serve it over toasted, leftover cornbread. Then I add coleslaw, sliced apples and if the kids are really lucky, chocolate or butterscotch pudding for dessert.
Very tasty and cheap too.
Homemade Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons dried onion
- 1 teaspoon beef broth powder or 1 beef bouillon cube
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon celery salt or regular salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 dash red pepper flakes or ground red pepper
- 2 tablespoons cornmeal or rice flour
Directions
Combine all of the ingredients in a small jar, or a snack-size storage bag, or a small plain white envelope. Label and seal. Store on the pantry shelf until needed.
For the entire recipe: 95 Calories; 1g Fat (10.2% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 20g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; trace Cholesterol; 755mg Sodium.
Exchanges: 1 Grain(Starch); 1 Vegetable.
To Prepare:
- 1 pound regular ground beef or turkey
- 1 packet Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix
- 8 ounce can tomato sauce (no-salt-added)
- 1/2 cup water
Cook the ground beef in a skillet, breaking it up into small bits as you go along. When it’s well done, drain off the fat. If desired, pour the ground beef into a colander. Run hot water over the beef in the colander and allow it drain. Rinse the skillet in hot water and return it to the stove. Put the ground beef back into the skillet.
Add the Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix, tomato sauce and water to the ground beef. Cook and stir until thickened. It should simmer for about 10 minutes for optimum flavor.
If you serve this in sandwiches it makes about 6 to 8. Try eating leftovers off of a rice cake. Quick and easy snack.
For the entire recipe as written: 798 Calories; 44g Fat (50.4% calories from fat); 77g Protein; 20g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 208mg Cholesterol; 959mg Sodium.
Exchanges: 1 Grain(Starch); 11 Lean Meat; 1 Vegetable; 3 Fat.
Divide by the number of servings you make.