Saucy and savory homemade Sloppy Joes are a delicious meat loaded sandwich. They are quick and easy, perfect for feeding a crowd!
We love Sloppy Joes, and our homemade version just has more flavor! I like to pair these with Baked Zucchini Chips or Classic Coleslaw, and in only 30 minutes you can serve a crowd. This is a perfect weeknight meal!
Homemade Sloppy Joes
“Sloppy Joes. Sloppy, Sloppy Joes…” I can’t hear or see Sloppy Joes without singing Adam Sandler’s song from his SNL skit. The good thing is that these ain’t no lunch lady’s sandwich. These are amazingly good and so easy to throw together. The name of them is quite fitting though. Very messy. Be sure to have a napkin close by.
We know that you can buy the meat for Sloppy Joes at the store but know that the homemade recipe (which is what we are sharing with you today) is so much better. We think you’ll agree, even if it takes a little bit more time. 😉
Now, let’s talk buns. You want a soft bun because it helps make things a little less sloppy. Regular hamburger buns work great but I wouldn’t recommend pretzel buns. The buns pictured in this post are Challah buns. So light and soft and have that beautiful shiny golden crust. Your local grocery store bakery is the place to look. Sloppy Joes make one tasty meal! We hope you love them as much as we do. They really are so messy and SO good!
How to make Sloppy Joes
GROUND BEEF. Place ground beef, onions, pepper, garlic, and seasoned salt in a large pot over medium high heat.
SAUCE. Cook and break up meat until it is browned. Drain off fat and add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a simmer, turn to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes or until meat is tender and sauce has thickened.
ENJOY! Serve on a buns.
Tips, Variations + SToring Info
This is a fairly quick and easy dish to make however, if you wish to toss everything in a crock pot so you can come home to a warm finished meal you certainly can. Brown the meat as directed in step 1. Then, add all the ingredients to the crock pot. Finally, cook on LOW heat for 4-6 hours, or HIGH heat for 2-3 hours.
Toasting the buns really brings this dish to the next level. Heat a bit of oil in a skillet. Place the buns, cut side down, in the skillet and toast until slightly golden. Allow the buns to cool, toasted side up. Another way to toast the buns is to butter each side then add a bit of Garlic Salt. Broil them on Low heat until golden.
Variations:
- Use ground turkey or chicken instead
- Add in diced bell peppers
- Sneak in some veggies like shredded carrots or zucchini
- Turn up the heat with jalapenos or red chili flakes
STORE leftover meat in an air-tight container and place in the fridge for up to 5 days. FREEZE this mixture and place in the freezer in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months .
For more tasty Sandwiches:
- French Dip Sandwich
- Pepperoni Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Monte Cristo Sandwich
- Hawaiian BBQ Sandwich
- Mini Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Sloppy Joes Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground round
- 3/4 cup onion, diced
- 3/4 cup green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons chili sauce
- 1/4 cup beef broth or water
- 8 Buns
Instructions
- Place ground beef, onions, pepper, garlic, and seasoned salt in a large pot over medium high heat. Cook and break up meat until it is browned. Drain off fat and add the remaining ingredients.
- Bring to a simmer, turn to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes or until meat is tender and sauce has thickened. Serve on a buns.
What brand BBQ sauce do you use? There are so many to choose between. Thank you.
I do not have a specific one I use. I use whatever is on sale 🙂 They all are great!
hey girl- these sloppy joe’s look amazing! Have a great Easter weekend!
They are! Thank you & I hope your weekend is wonderful!
barecue?
I usually make these once every two months. It is my kids favorite comfort food.
Love the recipe.
There’s nothing like a good old Sloppy Joe! Thank you!
This is a really GOOD recipe. In past years with limited funds, I used 1 lb ground beef or less and added 1 c. onions, 1 c. chopped celery, and also chopped green pepper if I had it (but I usually didn’t have it), and similar spices. It turned out pretty well, too.
Thanks so much!! That also works, too 🙂
One more comment. My favorite Independence Day has sloppy joes, potato salad, baked beans and orange fluff salad (cottage cheese, jello, cool whip, pineapple and mandarine oranges). Just about everything can be made the day before, so we can just play and celebrate.
I totally agree!! Thanks!
Loved this recipe! Just the right amount of sweet with a smidge of spice! We loved it!
Awe, thank you so much! I am glad you liked it!
We love sloppy joes..especially during summer! They remind me of BBQ’s! These are super tasty!!
Sloppy joes were a favorite at school. Now mY grand daughter request sloppy joes. So happy to oblidge her.
Sloppy Joes is another family favorite! The flavors in this recipe are so delicious! Thanks for sharing!
My kids looooove this!
I left oUt the green peppers and really liked how the Rest of the recipe came TOGETHER. Thanks for sharing.
i forget to make Sloppy JOes but when i was searching your blog i ran across them. They are on the menu for this week. Can’t wait to try them!! They look great.
These are hands down the best sloppy joes I have ever had. So easy and it tastes so much better than out of a can. The whole family loves them.