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This family-favorite Sloppy Joe recipe comes together in just 30 minutes – a comforting classic in a flash!
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 (that’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!
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 5 minutes
COOK TIME: 25 minutes
- 1½ 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.
- ¾ cup onion, diced
- ¾ cup green bell pepper, diced – or red bell pepper
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ 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.
- ¼ cup beef broth – or water
- 8 buns – classic hamburger buns, sandwich rolls, or something similar.
How to Make Sloppy Joe Recipe
- MEAT MIXTURE. Place 1½ pounds ground beef, ¾ cup diced onions, ¾ 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, ½ cup ketchup, ½ cup barbecue sauce, 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons chili sauce, ¼ 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.
- 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!
Complete the Meal
- Side dishes: Easy Coleslaw, Homemade Potato Salad, French Fries
- Desserts: Homemade Brownies, Best Chocolate Chip Cookies, Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
- More sandwiches: Pulled Pork Recipe, Best Hamburger Recipe, Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sandwiches Recipe
More collections: Beef Dinner Ideas, Family Dinner Ideas, Easy Dinner Ideas
Sloppy Joe Recipe
This sloppy joe recipe is quick and easy, perfect for feeding a crowd! You'll make these meaty sandwiches from scratch every time.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds ground beef
- ¾ cup onion, diced
- ¾ cup green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons chili sauce
- ¼ 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.
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
Add extra veggies?
- Sloppy Joes are a perfect way to get some hidden vegetables into your kids’ meals. Kid-friendly veggies could include shredded carrots, zucchini, diced celery, or mushrooms.
Add flavor to sloppy joes?
- Turn up the heat and add jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or chili powder. Add flavors with a dash of Worcestershire sauce or a sprinkle of onion powder and garlic powder.
Toast the Buns?
- 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.
thicken sloppy joe sauce?
- 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.
How to store sloppy joes?
- 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.
How to Freeze?
- 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.
My kids looooove this!
Sloppy Joes is another family favorite! The flavors in this recipe are so delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Sloppy joes were a favorite at school. Now mY grand daughter request sloppy joes. So happy to oblidge her.
We love sloppy joes..especially during summer! They remind me of BBQ’s! These are super tasty!!
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!
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!
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!
barecue?
hey girl- these sloppy joe’s look amazing! Have a great Easter weekend!
They are! Thank you & I hope your weekend is wonderful!
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!