These chicken gumbo sloppy joes are seriously good. You'll love this Creole-inspired recipe with its smoky tomato-based sassafras sauce along with chicken, beef, bacon, and shrimp - piled high on a bun. Yes, please!
You'll Love These Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes!
"Traditional sloppy joes have always been a favorite - but just for fun let's try something new, shall we? I think you'll love the unique fusion of flavors of sloppy joes with chicken gumbo!"
Sassy. Sassafrass is a popular herb used in creole cuisine that is fragrant and is closely related to the flavor of root beer. I used root beer soda in this recipe because it's much easier to find!
So tasty! All the flavors combined in this one-dish are so well balanced and unique! I love the combination of different proteins to make it feel indulgent and the different textures to keep it exciting!
Make it low carb and keto by using sugar-free root beer and a brown sugar substitute. Serve the sloppy joe mixture over a chaffle or a keto bun.
What You'll Need
Here are the ingredients and tools you will need to make this recipe:
- Ground chicken
- Ground beef - 80/20 works great! Choose your preferred option.
- Bacon
- Shrimp - extra small cooked shrimp (thawed, deveined and shell removed)
- Sweet onion
- Bell pepper - any color of your choice
- Celery
- Tomato - I used beefsteak as it was the most available at my store. Choose your preference.
- Ketchup
- Root beer - regular or sugar-free.
- Brown sugar - regular or sugar-free substitute
- Garlic
- Tomato paste
- Yellow mustard
- Cajun seasoning
- Smoked paprika
- Salt and Pepper
For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!
Substitutions and Variations
- Add your favorite hot sauce to the sloppy joe mixture! Top your sloppy joe with sliced banana peppers or jalapeno for a kick!
- Substitute different proteins. I suggest andouille sausage for the bacon or ground beef, ground turkey makes a great sub for ground chicken.
- Omit the shrimp if you're not a fan.
- Feel free to swap yellow mustard for dijon mustard and add a few splashes of Worcestershire sauce to add some salt and smoke to your mixture.
How To Make Chicken Gumbo Sloppy Joes
Cook the Bacon
Place a 4-quart stockpot over medium heat and cook your chopped bacon until done, but not too crispy.
Brown Meat
Next, add the ground chicken and beef, onion, pepper, and celery to the stockpot with the bacon.
Cook until the meat is done and the vegetables are fork-tender.
Add Remaining Ingredients
Spoon out any excess unwanted fat and then add all remaining ingredients (except the shrimp).
Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover. Allow it to come to a simmer and allow it to simmer for 15 minutes.
Adjust the heat if necessary.
Finish and serve
Add the cooked shrimp and cook until heated through
Adjust seasoning if needed then serve!
How To Serve
- Meal idea! Serve this chicken gumbo sloppy joe recipe on your favorite bun and top it off with Dill Pickle Slaw.
- Serve on your favorite hamburger bun! Keep it low carb by making a chaffle!
- Can also be served over riced cauliflower (low carb), a baked potato, rice, fries, tater tots.
If you're a sloppy joe lover be sure to try my Instant Pot Sloppy Joes or this Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes version. If you're looking for something unique be sure to make my Big Mac Sloppy Joes or these Sloppy Joe Sliders - they're GOOD! 🙂
Top Tips
- Prepare all ingredients in advance to make the cooking process quick and easy.
- Since the shrimp is already cooked, only add it at the end and heat it until just warm.
- Start with a little bit of cajun spice and increase to your personal preference to prevent making it too spicy.
FAQs
Traditional sloppy joe seasoning can include onion, garlic powder, mustard, paprika, and chili powder. You may also see pepper flakes and celery seeds.
I make these when I want a quick weeknight dinner. Brown ground beef in a skillet and drain extra fat. Add in ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, tomato paste, onion, and garlic.
To thicken sloppy joes make a cornstarch slurry by mixing equal parts of water and cornstarch. Or, add more tomato paste to the mixture.
I do not recommend that you freeze the leftovers.
Place in a microwave safe dish, cover and cook on low power until heated through. The exact amount of time depends on how much you are reheating.
Store cooled leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days after preparing it.
More Cajun and Creole-Inspired Recipes
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📖 The recipe.
Smoky Sasafras Chicken Gumbo Sloppy Joes Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pounds ground chicken
- ½ pound ground beef (80/20)
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon (chopped)
- 1 large sweet onion (small dice, ¼ inch)
- 1 large bell pepper (any color, small dice, ¼ in)
- 2 stalks celery (small dice, ¼ inch)
- 1 large beefsteak tomato (small dice, ¼ inch, approx. 1½ cups)
- 1 cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup root beer (any brand)
- 1 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt and black pepper (to taste)
- ½ pound extra small cooked shrimp (thawed, deveined and shell removed, rough chop)
Instructions
- In a 4-quart stock-pot, over medium heat cook the bacon until done, but not yet crisp.
- Add ground chicken and beef, onions, peppers, and celery. Cook until meat is done and vegetables are tender.
- Spoon off any excess fat then add all remaining ingredients, except the shrimp.
- Reduce heat, cover and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 15 minutes, adjusting heat if necessary.
- Add the cooked shrimp and cook until heated through.
- Season to taste, serve over a hamburger bun.
Kori's Tips
- Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
- VARIATIONS: Substitute chopped andouille sausage in place of ground beef or shrimp. Use ground beef with any fat content.
- TOP TIPS: Have all ingredients measured and set aside for quick and easy assembly. Add hot sauce to make it spicier.
- SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Serve over a hamburger bun or a chaffle topped with dill pickle coleslaw.
Nutrition
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