Sloppy Joe Recipe

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

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings servings

Calories 426kcal

Author Leigh Anne Wilkes

Equipment

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.

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.

Nutrition