Hawaiian Sloppy Joes
Hawaiian Sloppy Joes are a vibrant and flavorful twist on the classic sloppy joe, featuring a delicious mix of tangy pineapple, savory ground meat, smoky barbecue sauce, and colorful vegetables. This easy-to-make recipe brings bold Hawaiian-inspired flavors to your dinner table in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for family meals, weeknight dinners, or entertaining with creative variations to suit any dietary need.
- Author: Lilly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free bun or rice/lettuce wrap substitutions)
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks (drained)
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 4 soft sandwich buns
Optional Seasonings
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (optional)
- 1/4 tsp chili flakes (optional)
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Dice the onions, garlic, and bell peppers finely so they meld perfectly with the meat later. Drain any excess pineapple juice to avoid sogginess.
- Cook the Meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or turkey until fully cooked, breaking it up into small pieces with a spatula for even cooking.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add the diced onions, garlic, and bell peppers to the skillet, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Combine and Simmer: Stir in the barbecue sauce, pineapple chunks, and optional seasonings like soy sauce or chili flakes. Reduce heat and allow the mixture to simmer for about 10 minutes, letting the flavors meld and thicken.
- Assemble and Serve: Toast your sandwich buns lightly, then spoon the Hawaiian Sloppy Joe filling onto the bottom halves. Top with the buns and serve immediately for the best texture and taste.
Notes
- Drain excess fat after cooking the meat to keep the filling from becoming greasy.
- Use fresh pineapple for natural sweetness and texture; canned can be used if well drained.
- Don’t overcrowd your pan to ensure proper browning and avoid steaming ingredients.
- Toast buns to add crunch and prevent sogginess from the juicy filling.
- Adjust sweetness and tang by tasting the sauce as it simmers and adding extra barbecue sauce or pineapple juice if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Hawaiian Sloppy Joes, sloppy joe recipe, tropical sloppy joes, pineapple sloppy joes, barbecue sloppy joe, easy dinner, family meal, weeknight dinner