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    Home » Entrees

    Sloppy Joe Cauliflower Rice Recipe

    Published: Oct 11, 2018 · Modified: Aug 30, 2019 by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 1 Comment

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    30 minute meal! This healthy Sloppy Joe Cauliflower Rice is a fun twist on a classic that your family will love. 246 calories and 6 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP
    30 minute meal! This healthy Sloppy Joe Cauliflower Rice is a fun twist on a classic that your family will love. 246 calories and 6 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP #weightwatchers #dinnerrecipe

    Sloppy Joe Cauliflower Rice Recipe

    Sloppy Joe Cauliflower Rice is a welcome bun-less version of a childhood classic. While I can't claim that this is a low carb recipe, it's certainly a great option if you're looking to lower the carbs from your tried-and-true Sloppy Joe recipe. Cauliflower rice recipes are the way to go when you want to add more veggies and cut down on pasta, tortillas, regular rice and bread.

    Sloppy Joes weren't something that my mum served when I was growing up, but there's a good chance I ate my weight in them at various summer camps throughout the years. Admittedly, I don't make them very often myself these days, but this cauliflower rice version is going to change that.

    These Turkey Sloppy Joes are a great way to put a healthy twist on a classic recipe. Another 30 minute dinner recipe for your busy week! 246 calories and 6 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP #healthy #SloppyJoes

    How to make healthy Sloppy Joes:

    • Opt for a lower fat meat, such as ground turkey or extra lean ground beef.
    • Many Sloppy Joe recipes include a large amount of ketchup, brown sugar and/or barbecue sauce. Instead I opted for tomato sauce sweetened with some barbecue sauce and a touch of agave nectar (or honey).
    • Add some extra sweetness with diced carrots. Natural sugars are always a good way to go!
    • You could eliminate the bread or opt for a whole wheat bun. My kids love to wrap their hands around a bun packed with this Sloppy Joe mixture and choosing a fiber-packed bun to serve it on is a way to make things healthier.
    • If you prefer to make this meatless, substitute lentils for the ground turkey. They're packed with protein and have a meaty texture.

    Cauliflower rice sauteed with vegetables and ground turkey in a large skillet.

    Ingredients for Sloppy Joe Cauliflower Rice:

    • Aromatics: Onion, carrots and garlic.
    • Herbs & spices:  Dried oregano and thyme, and red pepper flakes do the trick. Plus, don't forget to season with salt and pepper.
    • Ground turkey: I used lean (93%) rather than 99% lean because I prefer the flavor and moisture.
    • Sauce ingredients: Canned tomato sauce, barbecue sauce (your favorite kind or homemade), tomato paste, Worcestershire (for the umami factor) and honey/agave nectar.
    • Cauliflower rice: I buy the bags of fresh cauliflower rice at Trader Joe's, but frozen would also work. Alternatively, grate cauliflower florets on a box grater.

    Healthy Sloppy Joes with cauliflower rice can be made in about 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights! 246 calories and 6 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP #groundturkey #cauliflowerrice

    Other healthy 30-minute dinner recipes:

    Broiled Pork Chops with Zucchini Corn Salsa {Cookin' Canuck}
    Thai Noodle Soup with Shrimp & Cabbage {Cookin' Canuck}
    Spaghetti Squash & Pork Stir Fry {Fox and Briar}
    Creamy Tomato Basil Vegan Pasta {Fit Foodie Finds}

    30 minute meal! This healthy Sloppy Joe Cauliflower Rice is a fun twist on a classic that your family will love. 246 calories and 6 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP #weightwatchers #dinnerrecipe

    Sloppy Joe Cauliflower Rice Recipe

    246 calories and 6 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Entrees
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Healthy Dinner Recipes
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 5 Cups
    Calories: 246.2kcal
    Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

    Ingredients

    • 2 teaspoons olive oil divided
    • 2 medium carrots diced
    • ½ medium onion diced
    • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • 3 garlic cloves minced
    • 1 pounds lean 93% ground turkey
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon or more, to taste crushed red pepper flakes
    • 2 cups cauliflower rice
    • 1 ½ 15 ounce each cans tomato sauce
    • ¼ cup barbecue sauce
    • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
    • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 2 teaspoon honey or agave nectar
    • ¼ cup minced flat-leaf parsley
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    Instructions

    • Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet set over medium heat. Add the carrots and saute until starting to soften, about 3 minutes. Pour in an additional teaspoon of olive oil. Add the onion, thyme and oregano and saute until the onions are tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for an additional 30 seconds. Transfer the mixture to a bowl.
    • Turn the heat to medium-high. Lightly coat the skillet with cooking spray, then add the ground turkey. Season with salt, pepper and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook, breaking up the turkey with a wooden spoon, until the turkey is cooked through. Drain any liquid.
    • Return the vegetable mixture to the skillet, along with the cauliflower rice. Stir in the tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and honey.
    • Bring to a boil, then simmer until the cauliflower rice is tender, stirring occasionally, 5 to 6 minutes.
    • Stir in the parsley. Serve.

    Notes

    Weight Watchers Points: 6 (Freestyle SmartPoints), 6 (Points+)

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Cup | Calories: 246.2kcal | Carbohydrates: 24.5g | Protein: 20.9g | Fat: 8.3g | Saturated Fat: 2.3g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 796.6mg | Fiber: 3.7g | Sugar: 14g
    Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

    Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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      Comments

      1. Rocky Mountain Woman

        October 11, 2018 at 10:59 am

        5 stars
        This looks so good! And healthy!

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      I'm Dara, a Canadian living in the U.S. and sharing my favorite healthy recipes. My cooking motto is that healthy eating never needs to be boring!

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