Easy Homemade Bison Sloppy Joe’s
These Bison Sloppy Joe’s are packed with flavor, made with real ingredients, no refined sugars and they’re ready in under 30 minutes! This is a weeknight dinner the whole family will be excited about. It’s a satisfying, high- protein twist to classic sloppy joes.

If you like recipes with ground bison, you’re in the right place. Ground bison recipes have been a staple in our house for many years since it’s leaner than beef- and these Bison Sloppy Joe’s are a new favorite. This recipe is adapted from my Sugar Free Sloppy Joe’s which uses lean ground beef and uses a homemade sauce. We like to serve it with Dave’s Killer Whole Grain Buns for more fiber (or you can use any whole wheat bun). Ground bison works in just about anything beef normally would such as Bison Tacos or Bison Burgers.
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Why This Bison Sloppy Joe’s Recipe Works
- Clean ingredients: This has zero refined sugar and the homemade sauce uses sugar free ketchup. To keep it gluten free, try Ground Bison Sloppy Joe’s over Za’atar Fries, Cumin Sweet Potatoes or Rosemary Mashed Potatoes with Buttermilk.
- Quick and easy: Similar to my Bison Stir Fry, This recipe comes together in under 3o minutes
- Meal prep and family friendly: Just like Bison Stuffed Peppers, Bison Chili, Bison Meatloaf, Bison Meatballs and Bison Enchiladas, these sloppy joes are high in protein and reheat well the next day.
Ingredients you’ll need

- Ground bison. It’s leaner than beef and high in protein.
- Extra virgin olive oil.
- Sweet onion. Yellow or white works too.
- Red and green bell peppers. This is where a lot of the flavors come from!
- Garlic cloves.
- Ketchup. Any ketchup works but I suggest Primal Kitchen which is sugar free.
- Apple cider vinegar.
- Maple syrup. This is optional if you’d like it a little sweeter.
- Spices, Paprika, oregano, thyme and salt.
- Whole wheat buns. Use your favorite buns or keep light and low carb with no buns.
How to Make Bison Sloppy Joe’s
Step One: Heat a large pan with the olive oil over medium heat. When ready, add the ground bison. Using a large wooden spoon or spatula, break up the meat and cook for about 5 minutes.
Step Two: Add the peppers and onion. Turn the heat down to low and continue to cook for about 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables start to sweat.

Step Three: Add spices and stir. Then add the ketchup and vinegar. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes while gently stirring.Adjust seasoning if needed.
Step Four: Remove from heat when done and stir in the maple syrup if using. Serve immediately with your favorite warm buns and favorite sides.
Storing and Reheating
Store bison sloppy joe meat separately from buns in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or on the stovetop on low. To freeze, cool completely and store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight and then reheat.

Helpful tips for this ground bison recipe
- Use a food processor to quickly chop onion, garlic and peppers. It saves time and releases the juices for a more flavorful sauce.
- Warm the buns before serving.
- Make a day ahead for better flavor.
- Use 90/10 or 93/7 lean ground bison for best results.
- Quality sugar free ketchup makes all the difference. Look for organic or unsweetened such as Primal Kitchen.
- Double the batch for easy meal prep all week.
- You can find ground bison in most major grocery stores and Costco.

Serving Suggestions
- This Bison Sloppy Joe’s recipe pairs well with classic buns- either whole wheat or white.
- To keep it low carb or gluten free, try it with sweet potato or Murasaki Sweet Potato Salad, lettuce wraps, cauliflower rice or Cauliflower Tabbouleh or any type of roasted vegetables like Rosemary Carrots or Whole30 Mashed Potatoes.
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Easy Homemade Bison Sloppy Joe’s
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Ingredients
- 1 pound ground bison
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 sweet onion diced
- 1 large red bell peppers diced
- 1 large green bell peppers diced
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons paprika oregano, thyme and salt
- 2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt more as needed
- 4 whole wheat buns Use your favorite buns or keep light and low carb with no buns.
Instructions
- Heat a large pan with the olive oil over medium heat. When ready, add the ground bison. Using a large wooden spoon or spatula, break up the meat and cook for about 5 minutes.
- Add the peppers and onion. Turn the heat down to low and continue to cook for about 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables start to sweat.
- Add spices and stir. Then add the ketchup and vinegar. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes while gently stirring.Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Remove from heat when done and stir in the maple syrup if using. Serve immediately with your favorite warm buns and favorite sides.
Notes
Store bison sloppy joe meat separately from buns in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or on the stovetop on low. To freeze, cool completely and store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight and then reheat. Helpful tips for this ground bison recipe:
- Use a food processor to quickly chop onion, garlic and peppers. It saves time and releases the juices for a more flavorful sauce.
- Warm the buns before serving.
- Make a day ahead for better flavor.
- Use 90/10 or 93/7 lean ground bison for best results.
- Quality sugar free ketchup makes all the difference. Look for organic or unsweetened such as Primal Kitchen.
- Double the batch for easy meal prep all week.
- You can find ground bison in most major grocery stores and Costco.
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Nutrition
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