Back when we were in high school, long before becoming registered dietitians and personal trainers, we’d wrap our veggie burgers in crunchy iceberg lettuce in lieu of a bun. Truthfully, we weren’t giving it too much thought; we simply liked the crunch of the lettuce more than we appreciated a bun. After all, had we actually been doing it to reap health benefits, we probably would have used a darker green lettuce. 😉 However, nowadays, we laugh to think that we unknowingly were ahead of our time as today skipping the bun for lettuce leaves is the standard for anyone looking to keep their burger low-calorie.
Yup, the best way to serve a skinny burger these days is “protein- style”; ditch the bun and skip out on simple, refined carbohydrates and the calories that come along with it. Choose a lean protein, and the burger can provide satisfaction and staying power for hours, without excess calories or artery-clogging fat. Our Skinny Bunless “Sloppy Joe” recipe below does this and also uses homemade ketchup which is is healthier than store bought brands.
Psst… looking for more lightened up recipes? Here are a few to try—and feel free to search our site for more options!
This “Sloppy Joe” uses bison to slash calories and fat. If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s the new healthy, trendy red meat that is jumping into health stores and restaurants everywhere. Buffalo is lower in calories, cholesterol, and fat than fish or chicken ounce per ounce. It is higher in protein than beef; it’s nutrient-dense, flavor-packed, outrageously lean, and high in omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin E. (Bison too aggressive for you? Try this recipe with ground turkey breast!)
If you’re concerned about commercially prepared ketchup and high fructose corn syrup, you don’t have to worry about that in this recipe. Our ketchup is made with simple, healthy ingredients and a touch of stevia.
Skinny Bunless Sloppy Joes
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients for Scramble: Yield 1 serving
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 bell pepper
- 1 cup mushrooms
- 4 oz. ground grass-fed bison
Salt and pepper (optional)
Ingredients for Ketchup: Yield 20 servings
- 1, 6-ounce can of organic Tomato Paste
- ½ cup white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon stevia powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon dried mustard powder
- 1 cup of water
Directions:
Ketchup: Put the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend well. Put in fridge to let flavors combine overnight or at least two hours
Scrambler: Use cooking spray to grease a large fry pan, add onions and bell peppers first. Cook on medium heat stirring occasionally for about 20 minutes, add ground bison meat and mushrooms and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes or until meat is cooked all the way through.
Ketchup: Put the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend well. Put in fridge to let flavors combine overnight or at least two hours.
Nutritional Information:
(per serving of Scrambler and 2 tbsp Ketchup)
1 serving
Calories 314; Fat 12g; Saturated Fat 4g; Carbohydrates 27g; Protein 28g; Cholesterol 50mg; Sodium 215mg; Fiber 5g
- gredients for Scramble: Yield 1 serving
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 bell pepper
- 1 cup mushrooms
- 4 oz. ground grass-fed bison
- Salt and pepper (optional)
- Ingredients for Ketchup: Yield 20 servings
- 1, 6-ounce can of organic Tomato Paste
- ½ cup white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon stevia powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon dried mustard powder
- 1 cup of water
- Ketchup: Put the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend well. Put in fridge to let flavors combine overnight or at least two hours
- Scrambler: Use cooking spray to grease a large fry pan, add onions and bell peppers first. Cook on medium heat stirring occasionally for about 20 minutes, add ground bison meat and mushrooms and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes or until meat is cooked all the way through.
- Ketchup: Put the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend well. Put in fridge to let flavors combine overnight or at least two hours.
