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These homemade Sloppy Joes are a quick and easy family dinner made with seasoned ground beef in a rich, tangy sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, they’re packed with classic comfort food flavor and perfect for busy weeknights.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are some recipes that instantly take you back to childhood, and for me, Sloppy Joes are one of them. This is my mom’s recipe—the one I grew up eating around our family dinner table. It’s simple, comforting, and packed with all those nostalgic flavors that make you feel right at home.
What I love most about these Sloppy Joes is that they’re the definition of family-friendly comfort food. The savory, slightly sweet meat filling piled onto a soft bun is always a hit with both kids and adults. It’s an easy weeknight dinner that brings everyone to the table with smiles on their faces.
I was reminded just how much people love Sloppy Joes when I recently served them at Girls Camp. I expected them to be a fun, familiar meal, but I was surprised by how many people raved about them! It seemed like everyone had fond memories of eating Sloppy Joes growing up, and they couldn’t wait for seconds.
If you’re looking for a classic recipe that is easy to make, budget-friendly, and guaranteed to please a crowd, these homemade Sloppy Joes are it. Sometimes the best meals really are the ones we’ve loved for generations.
Ingredients Needed
- Ground Beef, 80/20 or 90/10
- Olive Oil
- Onion, chopped
- Garlic, minced
- Green Pepper, chopped
- Ketchup
- Tomato Sauce
- Brown Sugar
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Mustard Powder
- Salt and Pepper
- Hamburger Buns
- Butter, softened
How to make Sloppy Joes
- Add oil, onion, garlic and green pepper to a hot skillet. Cook until onion and green pepper are soft.
- Add in hamburger and cook until hamburger is browned and cooked through.
- Combine ketchup, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, mustard and apple cider vinegar in a bowl.
- Stir to combine.
- Add sauce to pan and stir.
- Simmer on stove, over medium low heat, until mixture thickens and flavors come together, about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Butter the insides of the buns and toast in a skillet on the stovetop until golden brown.
- Spoon sloppy mixture onto toasted bun.
Tips from leigh Anne
- Brown the meat well. Taking a few extra minutes to fully brown the ground beef adds deeper flavor to the sauce.
- Drain excess grease. If you’re using a higher-fat ground beef, drain off the grease after browning to keep the filling from becoming too oily.
- Let the mixture simmer. Once all the ingredients are combined, allow the Sloppy Joe mixture to simmer for 10-15 minutes. This gives the flavors time to meld together and creates a richer sauce.
- Toast the buns. Lightly buttering and toasting the hamburger buns helps them hold up better to the saucy filling, prevents the bun from getting soggy and adds extra flavor.
- Make it ahead. The filling actually tastes even better the next day, making it a great make-ahead meal for busy weeknights.
- Double the batch for a crowd. This recipe is easy to scale up and is perfect for feeding a large group. It was a huge hit when I served it at Girls Camp!
- Freeze for later. The cooked filling freezes beautifully. Store it in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop.
- Customize your toppings. While these Sloppy Joes are delicious as-is, try serving them with sliced pickles, shredded cheese, or coleslaw for a fun twist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are they called sloppy joes?
The name comes from the deliciously messy nature of the sandwich. The saucy meat filling tends to spill out of the bun, making it “sloppy” in the best possible way!
What can I serve with sloppy joes?
Sloppy Joes pair perfectly with potato chips, French fries, tater tots, macaroni salad, coleslaw, fruit salad, or a simple green salad.
Can I use ground chicken or ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Yes. Ground turkey works well in this recipe and makes a lighter version. You may want to add a little extra seasoning since turkey or chicken is milder in flavor than beef.
Can I make sloppy joes ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, the flavor gets even better after the mixture has had time to sit. Prepare the filling up to 2 days ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving. You can also freeze the mixture in an airtight/freezer container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and then reheat.
There’s a reason Sloppy Joes have remained a family favorite for generations. They’re simple, satisfying, budget-friendly, and packed with comforting flavor. This recipe has been a staple in my family since childhood, and every time I make it, it brings back memories of gathering around the dinner table together. Whether you’re serving them for a busy weeknight meal, a family gathering, or even a crowd at Girls Camp, these homemade Sloppy Joes are always a hit. Give them a try and see why this classic recipe continues to stand the test of time!
Check out more of my favorite recipes:
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Sloppy Joe Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. hamburger 90/10 or 80/20
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- 4 tsp garlic minced
- 1 green pepper diced
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 16 oz. tomato sauce
- 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dry mustard
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 4-6 hamburger buns
- 4 Tbsp butter softened
Instructions
- In a hot skillet, add oil, onion, garlic and green pepper.
- Cook until onion and green pepper are soft.
- Add in hamburger and cook until hamburger is browned and cooked through.
- In a bowl, combine ketchup, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, mustard and apple cider vinegar. Mix to combine.
- Pour over browned hamburger, stir to combine and then simmer over medium low heat until mixture thickens and flavors come together, about 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Butter the insides of the buns and toast in a skillet on the stovetop until golden brown.
- Spoon sloppy joe mixture onto toasted buns.
Tips & Notes:
- Brown the meat well. Taking a few extra minutes to fully brown the ground beef adds deeper flavor to the sauce.
- Drain excess grease. If you’re using a higher-fat ground beef, drain off the grease after browning to keep the filling from becoming too oily.
- Let the mixture simmer. Once all the ingredients are combined, allow the Sloppy Joe mixture to simmer for 10-15 minutes. This gives the flavors time to meld together and creates a richer sauce.
- Toast the buns. Lightly buttering and toasting the hamburger buns helps them hold up better to the saucy filling, prevents the bun from getting soggy and adds extra flavor.
- Make it ahead. The filling actually tastes even better the next day, making it a great make-ahead meal for busy weeknights.
- Double the batch for a crowd. This recipe is easy to scale up and is perfect for feeding a large group. It was a huge hit when I served it at Girls Camp!
- Freeze for later. The cooked filling freezes beautifully. Store it in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop.
- Customize your toppings. While these Sloppy Joes are delicious as-is, try serving them with sliced pickles, shredded cheese, or coleslaw for a fun twist.
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Nutrition Facts:
Beth says
Tastes even better than the sloppy joes of my childhood.