
Sloppy Joes
These Sloppy Joes provide 24g protein and 256 calories per serving—a straightforward lunch that fits moderate macro targets. Quick stovetop preparation yields 4 servings ready to store and reheat for consistent midday protein intake. Designed for lifters who need repeatable, trackable meals that support consistent macro adherence.
Ingredients
- •90/10 Ground Beef(454g)
90% lean ground beef. Good middle-ground for flavor and macros.
- •Bell Pepper
- •Yellow Onion
- •JalapeñO Pepper
- •Garlic
- •Unsalted Butter(60g)
Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.
- •Ketchup(120g)
- •⅓ cup water
- •Tomato Paste(15g)
- •Brown sugar(10g)
- •Chili powder(10g)
- •Mustard, Yellow(5g)
- •Garlic powder(5g)
- •Worcestershire Sauce(5g)
Lea & Perrins is the standard. A little goes a long way.
- •½ teaspoon sea salt
- •Bread, Hamburger Bun, White
Instructions
- 1Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, for 7–8 minutes until browned throughout with no pink remaining. Drain excess fat if needed.
- 2While the beef cooks, finely mince the bell pepper, onion, jalapeño, and garlic using a food processor or knife.
- 3Reduce heat to medium, add the butter to the skillet, then stir in the minced vegetables. Cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and release their liquid.
- 4Add the ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, chili powder, mustard, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, and salt to the beef and vegetables. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- 5Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- 6While the sauce simmers, preheat the broiler to high. Spread the insides of the hamburger buns with butter and arrange them butter-side up on a baking sheet. Broil 4–6 inches from the heat for 1–2 minutes until golden brown and lightly toasted.
- 7Spoon the sloppy joe mixture evenly onto the toasted bun halves. Divide completed sandwiches evenly into 4 airtight containers while hot, pairing tops and bottoms, then cool before sealing for storage.
Nutrition — Per Serving
256
calories
24g
protein
24g
fat
- Carbohydrates
- 14g
- Saturated fat
- 4.5g
- Sodium
- 454 mg
- Dietary fiber
- 1.3g
4 servings per batch · ~171g each
Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central
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Set your goal to unlock — free, 30 secondsCommon questions
How much protein does Sloppy Joes have per serving?
Each serving delivers 24g of protein and 256 calories with 24g fat and 14g carbs. The protein density is solid, though calorie-per-serving is slightly higher than the taco variation due to fewer total servings.
How long does Sloppy Joes take to prep?
This is a quick prep recipe that yields 4 servings, making it ideal for smaller households or if you're cooking for 1-2 days at a time. You can have this on the table in one quick stovetop session.
Is Sloppy Joes good for muscle gain?
At 24g protein per serving, this recipe works better as a supporting meal rather than your primary protein source for muscle gain phases. Stack it with a high-protein side like rice or pasta to hit your daily targets.



