These Keto Sloppy Joes are a hearty, flavorful twist on the classic comfort food, made with ground venison and a naturally sweetened sauce. It's a simple skillet dinner that comes together quickly, perfect for busy weeknights.
I love making this recipe when I want something quick and filling that still tastes homemade. It's a healthier version of my traditional sloppy joe recipe made keto friendly for those following a low carb diet.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Low carb: perfect for keto lifestyles withi sugar-free ketchup and monk fruit.
Lean protein: ground venison makes these healthy sloppy joes lighter than the classic.
Quick dinner: ready in under 30 minutes with minimal prep.
Family friendly: savory, slightly sweet, and sure to be a hit with everyone.
Key Ingredients for Keto Sloppy Joes
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and instructions.
- Ground venison: a lean, flavorful meat that keeps this recipe keto and healthy.
- Green bell pepper: adds freshness and crunch.
- Onion and garlic: build savory flavor in the sauce.
- Sugar-free ketchup: classic flavor without the carbs.
- Monk fruit golden: a natural sweetener that balances the tangy sauce.
- Dijon mustard & Worcestershire sauce: give the filling its signature sloppy joe taste.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Ground venison: ground turkey or lean beef works just as well.
- Monkfruit golden: swap with a brown sugar substitute or allulose.
- Green bell pepper: red or yellow pepper for a milder, sweeter flavor.
Variations on Keto Sloppy Joes
- Cheesy skillet style: stir in shredded cheddar at the end for creamy, cheesy sloppy joes.
- Stuffed peppers: fill halved bell peppers with the sloppy joe mixture and bake.
- Lettuce wraps: spoon into crisp lettuce leaves for a low-carb bun alternative.
Tips for Perfect Healthy Sloppy Joes
- Avoid dryness: don't overcook venison, simmer only untl the sauce thickens.
- Taste test: adjust sweetness or tang before serving.
- Toast buns: whether keto bagels, rolls, or keto bread, toasting keeps them sturdy.
How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed.
Serve With...
I like to serve these Keto Sloppy Joes over top of a toasted Keto Asiago Bagel or Keto Dinner Roll with a serving of Homemade Coleslaw.
More Easy Keto Meals You'll Love
If you enjoy these healthy sloppy joes, you'll also enjoy my Zucchini Noodle Lasagna, Eggroll in a Bowl, BBQ Cheddar Venison Meatloaf Muffins, and Venison Meatball Alfredo.
When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Keto Sloppy Joes
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Ingredients
- 1 pound ground venison
- ¼ cup diced onion
- ½ cup diced green bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1½ cups water , divided
- ½ cup sugar-free ketchup
- 2 tablespoon Monk fruit
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a large skillet, over medium heat, add the onion, and ground venison.
- Using a flat head wooden spoon, cook and stir the venison for 6 minutes, or until the meat has browned.
- Add the green pepper, garlic, and ½ cup water to meat mixture. Stir to combine, and cook with the lid on skillet for 1 minutes.
- Stir in the ketchup, mustard, golden monk fruit, Worcestershire sauce, salt and black pepper until combined. Add the remaining water.
- Bring the sloppy joe mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, until the sauce has thickened. Serve over keto asiago bagels.
Becky Winternheimer says
Thank you for this delicious recipe! My husband and I loved it!!! This recipe is really simple to make the flavor if fantastic:)
Christine says
Awesome recipe. I don't have sugar free ketchup so I used small can of plain tomatoes sauce. I added butter and olive oil to my meat since we didn't add fat to our grind. Best sloppy Joe's I've had.
Shelby Law Ruttan says
Hi Christine, so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Hope you enjoy many more! Shelby
Anaiah says
Mmmm.. I'm glad to find a way to enjoy one of my favorite childhood recipes while on a keto diet. These sloppy joes were full of flavor and so quick to make. The kids enjoyed it too!
Shelby Law Ruttan says
Hi Anaiah, thanks you, happy the kids enjoyed it as well! Shelby
Alex says
My kid has never had sloppy joes. Perhaps it's time to change that! Your recipe looks so easy and full of flavor.
Erin says
This is such a great idea! I'll have to try this as soon as I find venison around here. I haven't had sloppy joes since I was a kid!
Julia says
We've made this recipe 3 times in the past two weeks! It's so easy and honestly great not only on a burger, but sometimes we scoop it over rice or over some pasta! That's how great this is!
Cathleen says
Can you believe that I have never tried sloppy joes before?? This needs to change! Making this ASAP, thank you so much for the recipe 🙂
Kathryn says
These sloppy joes take me back to my childhood! SO good and love how it's keto-friendly! Perfect dinner 🙂 thanks!
Leslie says
This recipe is definitely a keeper! Great flavor, easy to make, and kid-friendly too!
Jacqueline Debono says
I really like venison and cook it whenever I can find it but mostly in a stew or in a pasta sauce and not ground meat. Love the idea of these sloppy joes. Definitely on my to-try list!
Bernice says
Well I'm not sure if I can get my hands on venison but I do have bison! I'll give these a go with that. It's been years since we've had sloppy joes.
Shelby Law Ruttan says
Hi Bernice, ground beef works great too! Hope you enjoy the recipe! Shelby
Debi says
Tried the sloppy Joe's today - really good! This was the first recipe we used this year's venison. It's a keeper!
Shelby Law Ruttan says
Hi Debi! That's great, happy you enjoyed the recipe! Shelby
Debi says
Definitely 5 stars, this is so good! Only change was omitting green pepper because my guy can't eat them. Can't wait to make it again & I love them with the slaw.
My second post, because I didn't see the star rating at girst!
Shelby Law Ruttan says
Hi Debi, thank you for coming back to rate the recipe! Shelby
Allie says
Hi Shelly!
Can I make this in an instapot?
If so, do you have instructions?
Thanks!
Shelby Law Ruttan says
Hi Allie, You probably can make it in the instant pot however I personally have not done it. Let me do some research and I'll get back to you. Shelby
Ashley says
THIS RECIPE IS DELICIOUS!!! JUST TRY IT!!
I've made this so many times, it's a strong favorite in my home. I'm done it with ketchup and with bbq sauce, I like both but I think ketchup is a bit better, less sweet. I also have made a few tweaks since the first time I've made this. I only add about half the suggested water amount, I prefer my sloppy joes to be thicker and less runny. I also never add sugar, I don't have access to sugar-free ketchup where I live so I use what I have and eliminate that ingredient. Otherwise, I highly recommend this recipe! It's SO good!
Shelby Law Ruttan says
Hi Ashley, thank you so much for rating the recipe and I am so happy you enjoyed it! Shelby
Nancy says
The instructions for the Venison Sloppy Joes says to “Add green pepper”. Green peppers are not listed in the Ingredients. How much green pepper is used for this recipe?
Shelby Law Ruttan says
Hi Nancy, thanks for bringing that to my attention. I added the amount to the recipe card.