Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes are a classic dinner made with seasoned ground beef cooked with onions, bell peppers, ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard until thick and saucy, then piled on hamburger buns. They’re sweet, tangy, messy, and so much better than using the canned sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners, feeding kids, and game day. Ready in 30 minutes, serves 6-8 people using simple ingredients.
Sloppy joes bring me right back to being a kid! My mom used to have a monthly menu where there was something different every day (hello early meal planning) and I always looked forward to the week when she would make these.
These classic sandwiches are the ultimate comfort food and pair with so many different side dishes. Plus, it’s a simple recipe and the homemade version is just as easy as using the canned sauce but tastes to much better.
Homemade is always better, right?
Just brown the ground beef in a skillet, add the few sauce ingredients, and simmer until thick and saucy. Pile it on toasted hamburger buns and you’ve got dinner in 30 minutes. Your family will love this homemade version better – it’s just as easy!
Sloppy joes are old school comfort food, just like meatloaf and mashed potatoes. I just can’t get enough of them!
More Sloppy Joe Recipes
- Sloppy Joe Cups – Muffin tin sandwiches
- Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole – Baked with tater tots on top
- Sloppy Joe Garlic Bread – Appetizer version
- Sloppy Joe Sliders – Smaller messy goodness
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Read my disclosure policy.
See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and their quantities.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground Beef – I use 80/20 for best flavor. Lean ground beef works if you want to skip draining extra fat. Ground turkey makes a lighter version if you prefer that.
- Bell Pepper – Green bell pepper is the traditional one but you can use a mix of colors!
- Brown Sugar – Adds subtle sweetness. Dark brown, light brown, or white sugar all work.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Red wine vinegar or plain white distilled vinegar work great too.
- Yellow Mustard – Essential tangy flavor.
For more insider tips, tricks, and a behind the scenes look, follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, & X.
How To Make Homemade Sloppy Joes
- Brown ground beef with diced onion and bell pepper in a large skillet over medium heat. You can add a tablespoon of oil if the beef is too lean.
- Cook until beef is browned and vegetables are tender. Drain excess fat if using 80/20 beef.
- Add ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and salt. Stir to combine well. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon to prevent sticking or burning. The sauce should thicken nicely. Pile sloppy joe mixture on buns and serve!
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. I prefer the stovetop so the meat doesn’t get tough.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Cool to room temperature first, then store in airtight containers or freezer bags. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Meal Prep: This is a great make-ahead freezer meal! Double the recipe so you can eat one batch tonight and freeze one for easy dinner later.
Slow Cooker: After browning beef and onions, put everything in the crockpot with 2-3 tablespoons water. Cook on high 2-3 hours or low 3-4 hours.
Variations
- Turkey Sloppy Joes: Use ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter version or if you’re avoiding red meat.
- Spicy: Add red pepper flakes, chili powder, cayenne, or black pepper for heat.
- Savory Boost: Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce for deeper flavor.
- Different Buns: Serve on garlic bread, Texas toast, brioche buns, or slider buns.
- Cheese: Top with cheddar, American, or pepper jack cheese.
- Extra Veggies: Add diced carrots, celery, or mushrooms with the onions.
- BBQ Style: Add BBQ sauce along with the ketchup for smoky flavor.
- Sloppy Joe Casserole: Layer with tater tots and cheese and bake!
What to Serve with Sloppy Joes
- French Fries – Classic pairing
- Tater Tots – Kids love these!
- Potato Chips – Easy and crunchy
- Potato Salad – Best for backyard dinners
- Coleslaw – Cool and creamy contrast
- Pasta Salad – Grown up side dish
- Side Salad – Light and fresh
- Corn on the Cob – Sweet summer side
- Baked Beans – Classic BBQ pairing
- Pickle Spears – Tangy crunch
Frequently Asked Questions
A loose meat sandwich with ground beef and onions stewed in tomato sauce, ketchup, and seasonings, served on a hamburger bun. Classic American comfort food!
There are theories! Some say Cuba, others say a cook named Joe in Sioux City, Iowa created them in the 1930s. Either way, they’re delicious!
Yes! Brown beef and onions first, then add everything to the crockpot with 2-3 tablespoons water. Cook on high 2-3 hours or low 3-4 hours.
Absolutely! Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop or microwave.
80/20 has the best flavor. Lean ground beef works if you want to skip draining fat, but it’s a bit drier.
Add red pepper flakes, chili powder, cayenne, or hot sauce to taste.
Yes! Ground turkey makes a lighter version that still tastes great.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Use 80/20 ground beef for best flavor. Lean beef works but skip draining the fat.
- Brown the meat well before adding sauce ingredients for deeper flavor.
- Simmer for the full 15-20 minutes so the sauce thickens properly.
- Toast the buns for less soggy sandwiches. The texture contrast is great!
- Serve on garlic bread or Texas toast for extra deliciousness.
- Make it spicy with red pepper flakes, chili powder, or cayenne.
- Double the recipe – eat one batch now, freeze one for later!
- Freeze in individual portions for easy single-serve meals.
This homemade sloppy joes recipe is so much better than the canned version! Make them for your family and watch them disappear.
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please leave us a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ five-star review in the comment section below. Thanks!
Sloppy Joes Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef lean
- 1 small sweet onion diced
- ½ cup green bell pepper diced
- ⅔ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ tablespoon dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with green pepper and onions. Cook until the beef is no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat.
- Add in ketchup, tomato paste, mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Stir; then add in the brown sugar, salt, and garlic powder. Stir to combine well.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking.
- Serve on buns or your favorite way to enjoy them!
Notes
- Use 80/20 ground beef for best flavor. Lean beef works but skip draining the fat.
- Brown the meat well before adding sauce ingredients for deeper flavor.
- Simmer for the full 15-20 minutes so the sauce thickens properly.
- Toast the buns for less soggy sandwiches. The texture contrast is great!
- Serve on garlic bread or Texas toast for extra deliciousness.
- Make it spicy with red pepper flakes, chili powder, or cayenne.
- Double the recipe – eat one batch now, freeze one for later!
- Freeze in individual portions for easy single-serve meals.
Nutrition
©TakeTwoTapas.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
