High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes
High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes pinit

Ever taken a bite of a High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes and thought, “I got this, no mess today!”… only for the universe to laugh as half of it plops onto your lap? Yep, same.The first time I made these High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes, my husband confidently took a bite—only for a giant chunk to tumble down his shirt. My kids? Dying of laughter. Me? Just trying to pretend this wasn’t a weekly occurrence.

Sloppy Joes: The Sandwich That Fights Back!

One minute, it’s in your hands. The next? A rogue bean has catapulted across the table, and the bun has given up entirely. I mean… HOW?! At this point, I don’t even fight it—I just keep the napkins within arm’s reach and hope for the best.

Messy? Yes. Worth It? Absolutely!

Look, these High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes are meant to be messy—that’s part of the fun! So grab a napkin (or five), embrace the chaos, and enjoy every saucy, high-protein, ridiculously delicious bite. Because let’s be honest… if you don’t need to wash your hands after, did you even eat a Sloppy Joe?!

Table of Contents

Look at the Recipe (Key Highlights)
Ingredients for High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes
How to Make High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes
Storage & Serving Suggestions
Tips & FAQs
Why You’ll Love High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes

Look at the Recipe (Key Highlights!)

Here’s why you’re going to these High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes—trust me, this one’s a keeper!

Protein-Packed & Satisfying – This dish is loaded with lean ground beef + black beans, giving you a whopping 27g of protein per serving! Perfect for staying full and energized.

Healthy Twist on a Classic – Say goodbye to greasy, sugar-loaded Sloppy Joes! This low-fat, high-fiber version keeps all the flavor but ditches the unnecessary calories and sodium.

Super Easy & Quick – Ready in just 20 minutes, making it a total weeknight dinner lifesaver.

Meal Prep Approved – Make a big batch, store it in the fridge or freezer, and you’ve got healthy, protein-packed meals ready to go for the week!

Kid-Approved & Family-Friendly – Trust me, even the pickiest eaters will love these! Serve them with whole-wheat buns, lettuce wraps, or over baked sweet potatoes for a fun twist.

Customizable & Versatile – Want more heat? Add jalapeños! Prefer a vegetarian version? Swap the beef for lentils! This recipe adapts to your taste without a fuss.

This is not just another Sloppy Joe recipe—it’s a high-protein, flavor-packed powerhouse that you’ll want to make again and again.

Ingredients Needed

High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes Ingredients for High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes in a glass bowl or small bowls, including ground beef, black beans, onions, tomato sauce, and spices.

Here’s what you’ll need for this High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes recipe:

Main Ingredients

  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Lean ground beef
  • No-salt-added black beans
  • Chopped onion

Seasonings & Sauce

  • New Mexico chile powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Cayenne pepper
  • No-salt-added tomato sauce
  • Ketchup
  • Reduced-sodium Worcestershire sauce
  • Spicy brown mustard
  • Light brown sugar

For Serving

  • Whole-wheat hamburger buns, toasted

How to Make High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes

Making these healthy High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes is super easy! Here’s an overview of the process:

Brown the Beef: Cook the lean ground beef in olive oil until it’s lightly browned but not fully cooked. Remove and set aside.

Sauté the Onion & Beans: In the same pan, cook the chopped onion and black beans until softened.

Add Seasonings: Stir in the chile powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne. Cook for a few seconds to release the flavors.

Make the Sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and brown sugar. Mix well.

Simmer: Return the cooked beef to the pan and let everything simmer until thickened.

Serve & Enjoy: Spoon the mixture onto toasted whole-wheat buns and enjoy immediately!

(For extra nutrition, pair with a side salad or steamed veggies!)

High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joe on a whole-wheat bun with sauce spilling, served on a plate with veggies and a glass of water.

Storage & Serving Suggestion

Storage Tips

Got leftovers? No problem! These High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes store beautifully. Here’s how to keep them fresh and delicious…

Refrigerate: Store the sloppy joe mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just reheat and serve—boom, dinner’s ready!

Freeze for Later: Want to meal prep? Let the mixture cool completely, then freeze it for up to 3 months in a sealed container or freezer bag. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop.

Reheating Made Easy: Warm it up on the stovetop over medium heat (add a splash of water if it’s too thick) or microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between.

Serving Tips

These healthy High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes are crazy versatile—switch it up and enjoy them in different ways!

Classic Style: Pile it high on toasted whole-wheat buns—because let’s be real, you can’t go wrong with the OG way.

Low-Carb? No Problem! Ditch the bun and serve the mixture in crisp lettuce wraps or over roasted sweet potatoes for a nutrient-packed meal.

Gluten-Free? Easy Fix! Swap the bun for gluten-free bread, brown rice, or quinoa—same great flavors, just gluten-free-friendly.

Make it a Meal: Serve alongside a fresh green salad, steamed veggies, or roasted Brussels sprouts for a balanced, WW-friendly dinner.

Sloppy Joe Bowls! Spoon the mixture over cauliflower rice or whole grains for a fun, deconstructed twist.

Seriously, you can’t mess this up—no matter how you serve it, these high-protein High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes are gonna be a hit!

Tips & FAQs

What is the difference between a burger and a Sloppy Joe?

A burger is made with a solid ground beef patty, grilled or pan-fried, and placed on a bun with toppings. A Sloppy Joe, on the other hand, features crumbled ground beef cooked in a flavorful, tangy tomato-based sauce and served loose on a bun—hence the “sloppy” name!

What are Sloppy Joes famous for?

Sloppy Joes are famous for their messy, deliciously saucy texture and their sweet and tangy flavor. They are a budget-friendly, easy-to-make comfort food that has been a staple in American homes for decades.

Are Sloppy Joes good for protein?

Yes! Sloppy Joes are a great source of protein, especially when made with lean ground beef or turkey. A standard serving provides about 17-27 grams of protein, making them a hearty meal. Want even more protein? Add black beans or lentils to the mix!

What do Americans call Sloppy Joes?

In most of the U.S., they’re simply called Sloppy Joes. However, in parts of New Jersey, a “Sloppy Joe” refers to a deli-style sandwich with cold cuts, coleslaw, and Russian dressing on rye bread—totally different from the saucy beef sandwich we know!

How do you eat a Sloppy Joe?

Sloppy Joes are best enjoyed on a toasted hamburger bun. Given their saucy and messy nature, they’re best eaten with both hands (and probably a few napkins!). Want to mix it up? Serve the mixture over baked potatoes, rice, or lettuce wraps.

What does Sloppy Joe sauce taste like?

Sloppy Joe sauce is a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory. It’s made with tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and seasonings, giving it a rich, slightly smoky, and deeply satisfying flavor.

How many calories are in a Sloppy Joe?

A traditional Sloppy Joe with a bun contains around 340-450 calories, depending on the ingredients used. You can make them healthier by using lean meat, a whole-wheat bun, or serving the mixture over lettuce wraps instead!

Now that you know all about Sloppy Joes, you’re ready to enjoy this classic American comfort food in a way that fits your lifestyle!

Why You’ll Love High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes

There are plenty of reasons to love these High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes, but let’s get right to the best ones!

Packed with Protein & Fiber – Thanks to lean ground beef and fiber-rich black beans, this dish keeps you full and fueled with 27g of protein per serving. Perfect for a post-workout meal or a satisfying family dinner!

Quick & Easy to Make – This isn’t a complicated, time-consuming dish. You can whip up these delicious sloppy joes in just 20 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights.

Comfort Food with a Healthy Twist – Love Sloppy Joes but not the greasy guilt? This recipe keeps all the flavor while cutting back on unnecessary fat and sugar. Plus, it’s WW-friendly with around 7 points per serving!

Meal Prep Magic – Make a big batch, store it in the fridge or freezer, and you’ve got healthy, protein-packed meals ready for the week. (Your future self will thank you! )

Customizable & Diet-Friendly – Need it gluten-free? Swap the bun for lettuce wraps or serve over rice. Want it spicier? Add jalapeños! This recipe is super adaptable to your taste and dietary needs.

Kid-Approved & Family-Friendly – My kids love these, and my husband didn’t even realize they were healthy! If a picky family gives it two thumbs up, you know it’s a winner.

This healthy High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes recipe is delicious, nutritious, and totally crave-worthy—once you try it, you’ll never go back to the canned stuff!

I’d love to hear how you make it your own! Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out, or share a photo of your dish on social media and tag me. Don’t forget to share this recipe with friends and family who are looking for the ultimate High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes—they’ll thank you for it! 🥚✨

High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes
Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 5 mins Cook Time 10 mins Rest Time 5 mins Total Time 20 mins
Cooking Temp: 180  C Servings: 4 Estimated Cost: $ 11 Calories: 350
Best Season: Spring, Autumn, Winter, Fall, Summer

Description

These High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes are a quick, healthy, and protein-packed twist on a classic! Ready in 20 minutes, WW-friendly, and absolutely delicious!

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

For Serving

Seasonings & Sauce

Instructions

Cook the Beef

  1. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until it’s lightly browned but not fully cooked, about 3-4 minutes. Transfer the beef to a bowl, leaving the drippings in the pan.

Sauté the Onion & Beans

  1. In the same pan, add black beans and chopped onion. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is softened (about 5 minutes). This helps develop a rich, deep flavor.

Add the Spices

  1. Stir in the chile powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant—this step is key to unlocking all those delicious flavors!

Make the Sauce

  1. Pour in the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and brown sugar. Stir to combine.

Simmer & Thicken

  1. Return the partially cooked beef to the pan and mix everything together. Bring to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes, until the beef is fully cooked and the sauce thickens slightly.

Serve & Enjoy

  1. Spoon the delicious Sloppy Joe mixture onto toasted whole-wheat buns and serve immediately!
  2. Want a fun twist? Try serving the mixture over baked sweet potatoes for an extra boost of fiber and nutrients!

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4


Amount Per Serving
Calories 350kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 10g16%
Total Carbohydrate 38g13%
Dietary Fiber 8g32%
Protein 27g54%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Let me tell you—this High-Protein Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes recipe was a total home run in my house! My husband, the ultimate Sloppy Joe connoisseur, took one bite and said, “Wait… this is healthy?!” (Yep, nailed it.)

As for my kids? They devoured theirs so fast, I barely had time to grab my own plate! No complaints, no picky-eater negotiations—just happy, full bellies. And for me? I love that it’s WW-friendly, protein-packed, and meal-prep magic. Trust me, this one’s going into our family dinner rotation for good!

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Kristy Cook

Food and Lifestyle Blogger

Hi, I'm Kristy Cook, A passionate food enthusiast and recipe creator. I love crafting delicious, healthy meals that are both nutritious and easy to prepare. My goal is to inspire you to embrace wholesome cooking in your everyday life, making it simple and enjoyable.

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