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Close-up of delicious Mexican tacos with lime, salsa, and beans on a vibrant red plate.
Stovetop~35 minComplexity

Sloppy Joe Tacos

These Sloppy Joe Tacos deliver 17g protein and 228 calories per serving—a light lunch option for cutting phases and low-calorie days. Stovetop cooks 6 servings quickly, providing flexibility for different macro targets throughout the week. Built for lifters managing body composition who need lower-calorie meal options that still provide structure.

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Ingredients

6 servings
  • Olive oil(15g)

    Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.

  • 90/10 Ground Beef(454g)
  • Yellow Onion
  • Bell Pepper
  • Garlic(120g)
  • Tomato Sauce(480g)
  • Brown sugar(30g)
  • Worcestershire Sauce(15g)

    Lea & Perrins is the standard. A little goes a long way.

  • Chili powder(5g)
  • Pinch Of Salt And Pepper, To Taste
  • Taco Shells, Corn, Fried, Hard

Instructions

  1. 1Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 1 minute until shimmering.
  2. 2Add the ground beef and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon and stirring occasionally, until no longer pink and browned throughout. Drain off excess fat.
  3. 3Return the pan to medium-high heat, add the onion, bell pepper, and fresh garlic, and cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent.
  4. 4While the vegetables cook, whisk together the tomato sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and chili powder in a bowl until combined.
  5. 5Pour the tomato sauce mixture into the skillet with the beef and vegetables, stir until combined, and bring to a simmer over medium heat for 2–3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly and flavors blend.
  6. 6Divide the sloppy joe filling evenly into 6 airtight containers while hot, allowing to cool completely before sealing.
  7. 7When ready to serve, warm the filling gently in a skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
  8. 8Warm the hard taco shells according to package directions, fill each with the beef mixture, and serve immediately.

Nutrition — Per Serving

228

calories

17g

protein

11g

fat

Carbohydrates
17g
Saturated fat
3.4g
Sodium
490 mg
Dietary fiber
1.9g

6 servings per batch · ~187g each

Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central

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Common questions

How much protein does Sloppy Joe Tacos have per serving?

Each serving contains 17g of protein and 228 calories with 11g fat and 17g carbs. This is a lighter option if you're stacking multiple meals in a day or need a lower-calorie lunch that still delivers solid protein.

How long does Sloppy Joe Tacos take to make?

Quick prep means you're looking at minimal hands-on time, and the recipe batch-preps 6 servings at once. This works well for meal prep days when you need to knock out multiple recipes.

Is Sloppy Joe Tacos good for fat loss?

At 228 calories per serving with 17g protein, this recipe fits a fat loss phase where you're managing calorie intake while preserving muscle. The high protein-to-calorie ratio makes it efficient for staying full on a deficit.

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