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This family-favorite Sloppy Joe recipe comes together in just 30 minutes – a comforting classic in a flash!

Close up of four Sloppy Joe recipe served on a white plate.

The BEST Homemade Sloppy Joes

This is the BEST recipe for an old-timey, “loose meat sandwich” and one of our favorite easy dinner ideas. Every family needs a fail-proof Sloppy Joe recipe, and we’re not talking about the 90’s Manwich version.

This particular recipe is one our mom has made since we were kids, and it’s one she still makes today. And we still love that this dinner is so easy to throw together, and just as quick to fall apart (thatโ€™s 100% part of the charm).

We love these because:

  • A quick dinner idea. This sloppy joe recipe comes together in 3 easy steps! It’s also great for meal prepping and freezing for later.
  • The sauce. Sure, you could buy the ready-made sauce from the store. But it turns out that it’s just as easy to make at home!
  • Feed the masses. Make as much or as little as you need. This could be a great Sunday dinner idea to feed the family or a crowd!
  • Nostalgic. Get your napkins ready, hide your whites, and prepare to get a little messy!! When it comes to sloppy joes, messy is the only way to go. These Sloppy Joes are a blast from the past!
Measured ground beef, chopped veggies, and seasonings for sloppy joe recipe.

Ingredients

  • 1ยฝ pounds ground beef Lean ground beef has a great meat-to-fat ratio. Ground turkey or ground chicken can be used for an even leaner mixture.
  • ยพ cup onion, diced
  • ยพ cup green bell pepper, diced or red bell pepper
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • ยฝ cup ketchup
  • ยฝ cup barbecue sauce store-bought or Homemade BBQ Sauce
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons chili sauce Choose your favorite brand and intensity, such as Sriracha or Tobasco. Or, leave the hot sauce out altogether for a milder sauce.
  • ยผ cup beef broth  or water
  • 8 buns classic hamburger buns, sandwich rolls, or something similar. 

How to Make Sloppy Joe Recipe

  1. MEAT MIXTURE. Place 1ยฝ pounds ground beef, ยพ cup diced onions, ยพ cup diced peppers, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon seasoned salt in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook and break up meat until it is browned.
    • Drain off the fat and add 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce, ยฝ cup ketchup, ยฝ cup barbecue sauce, 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons chili sauce, ยผ cup beef broth, or water.
    • Bring to a simmer, turn to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes or until meat is tender and the sauce has thickened.
  2. ENJOY! Slap your juicy Sloppy Joe meat mixture between a crispy toasted bun, and enjoy. See further on for more serving ideas.

Make it in the crock pot

Brown the ground beef in a large skillet. Toss all the ingredients into a crock pot in the morning, and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours. It’s as easy as that!

Homemade Sloppy Joe's recipe on plate with green beans.
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5 from 20 votes

Sloppy Joe Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
This sloppy joe recipe is quick and easy, perfect for feeding a crowd! You'll make these meaty sandwiches from scratch every time.ย 
Servings: 8 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1ยฝ pounds ground beef
  • ยพ cup onion, diced
  • ยพ cup green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • ยฝ cup ketchup
  • ยฝ cup barbecue sauce
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons chili sauce
  • ยผ 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 the 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 the sauce has thickened. Serve on buns.

Video

Notes

STORE leftover sloppy joe meat in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Reheating is as easy as microwaving the meat in bursts, or warming the mixture in a skillet on the stovetop until heated through.
FREEZE leftover slopThaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in a slow cooker or stovetop.ย 

Nutrition

Calories: 397kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 55mg, Sodium: 1039mg, Potassium: 436mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 17g, Vitamin A: 195IU, Vitamin C: 13.9mg, Calcium: 34mg, Iron: 12.8mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

  • Sloppy Joes are a perfect way to get some hidden vegetables into your kidsโ€™ meals. Kid-friendly veggies could include shredded carrots, zucchini, diced celery, or mushrooms.
  • Turn up the heat and add jalapeรฑos, red pepper flakes, or chili powder. Add flavors with a dash of Worcestershire sauce or a sprinkle of onion powder and garlic powder.
  • A soft, toasted bun keeps this sloppy joe recipe a little less sloppy. Add a thin layer of butter and a sprinkle of garlic salt to the buns before toasting them. Toast them in the skillet with oil or under the broiler.
  • This sandwich is a messy one, but should not be runny. Here are some tips to make them less runny: Simmer for longer allowing excess moisture to evaporate.
  • Add some tomato paste.
  • Cornstarch slurry: In a separate bowl stir 1-2 teaspoons of cold water with an equal amount of cornstarch. Pour it into the meat mixture, stir, and simmer.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
  • Reheating is as easy as microwaving the meat in bursts, or warming the mixture in a skillet on the stovetop until heated through.
  • Freeze leftover sloppy joe recipe in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in a slow cooker or stovetop.

For More Recipes:

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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5 from 20 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




28 Comments

  1. Sandy Forer says:

    5 stars
    Made these Sloppy Joe’s they were Amazing. I followed recipe to a T wasn’t until I was getting ready to serve that I didn’t add the brown sugar but it was still Amazing
    Tyvm for all your Awesome Recipes I try at least 1 or 2 of them a week.
    Thank you
    Sandy

  2. Jordan F says:

    5 stars
    Even better than my mom made growing up!! These are the perfect comfort food, thank you! Kids love them too.

  3. Lila says:

    5 stars
    This sloppy joe recipe is so good! Quick and easy. So meaty and delicious, the kids from my team loved it. Perfect for groups.

  4. Sha says:

    5 stars
    These tasted amazing! Kids loved them. We had them for dinner yesterday and they’re gone in a snap!

  5. Candice says:

    5 stars
    First made this recipe for home and it was a hit. Decided to make it again for a Sunday football crowd and I became instantly famous. This is a very delicious recipe! You will never buy canned Sloppy Joe again!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Aw thank you! That makes me so happy to hear that they sloppy joes were a hit!

  6. Rach says:

    What do you mean by chili sauce? Like sriracha?

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      No, sriracha is more of a hot sauce. Heinz has a chili sauce (almost like a hybrid of hot sauce and ketchup). Or even the Great Value brand at walmart has one.

  7. Tammy Stark says:

    5 stars
    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.

  8. Misty says:

    5 stars
    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.

  9. Kristi says:

    5 stars
    I left oUt the green peppers and really liked how the Rest of the recipe came TOGETHER. Thanks for sharing.