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When it comes to easy homemade dinners, it doesn’t get any better than this easy Sloppy Joe Recipe, a longtime family favorite. This 30-minute meal is perfect for busy weeknights, backyard barbecues, and birthday parties. Of all the sloppy joes I’ve had, this one is the best.
![The Best Sloppy Joe Recipe I've Ever Found (1) The Best Sloppy Joe Recipe I've Ever Found (1)](https://i0.wp.com/www.culinaryhill.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/The-Best-Sloppy-Joes-Culinary-Hill-hero.jpg)
I hear it time and time again: “These are the best sloppy joes I’ve ever had!” Whether I’m cooking them for my family or just perusing the comments below (feel free to take a look for yourself), the verdict is in: these sloppy joes are the best on block, and once you make them, your life will never be the same. If you’ve got 8 basic ingredients and 30 minutes or less, you are winning dinner tonight, and it’s not even close.
Table of Contents
- Sloppy Joe Ingredients
- Step-by-step instructions
- Recipe tips and variations
- What goes with Sloppy Joes?
- How to store Homemade Sloppy Joes
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe
Sloppy Joe Ingredients
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
- Ground beef: Or substitute ground turkey, ground chicken, or even ground venison.
- Onion: Finely chopped celery and a green bell pepper are great too!
- Brown sugar: Even a tablespoon is too much for some people. If you don’t like the sound of brown sugar in your Sloppy Joe, please leave it out!
Step-by-step instructions
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, combine beef and chopped onion. Cook until the meat is mostly browned, about 5 minutes. Drain well.
![The Best Sloppy Joe Recipe I've Ever Found (3) The Best Sloppy Joe Recipe I've Ever Found (3)](https://i0.wp.com/www.culinaryhill.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/The-Best-Sloppy-Joes-Recipe-Culinary-Hill-HR-02.jpg)
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire, mustard, and salt and pepper to taste (I like ¼ teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon pepper).
![The Best Sloppy Joe Recipe I've Ever Found (4) The Best Sloppy Joe Recipe I've Ever Found (4)](https://i0.wp.com/www.culinaryhill.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/The-Best-Sloppy-Joes-Recipe-Culinary-Hill-HR-03.jpg)
- Pour sauce ingredients over drained beef and stir until evenly coated.
![The Best Sloppy Joe Recipe I've Ever Found (5) The Best Sloppy Joe Recipe I've Ever Found (5)](https://i0.wp.com/www.culinaryhill.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/The-Best-Sloppy-Joes-Recipe-Culinary-Hill-HR-04.jpg)
- Simmer the sloppy joe sauce uncovered 20 minutes, stirring occasionally (cover if you prefer a sloppier Sloppy Joe).
![The Best Sloppy Joe Recipe I've Ever Found (6) The Best Sloppy Joe Recipe I've Ever Found (6)](https://i0.wp.com/www.culinaryhill.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/The-Best-Sloppy-Joes-Culinary-Hill-LR-02-e1667103843549.jpg)
- Spoon the sloppy joe mixture into a hamburger bun and devour. For extra flavor, brush the crown of your bun with butter and toast on a griddle. YUM!
![The Best Sloppy Joe Recipe I've Ever Found (7) The Best Sloppy Joe Recipe I've Ever Found (7)](https://i0.wp.com/www.culinaryhill.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/The-Best-Sloppy-Joes-Recipe-Culinary-Hill-LR-08-e1604025082598.jpg)
Recipe tips and variations
- No Worcestershire sauce: In a pinch, substitute soy sauce.
- Barbecue sauce. Your favorite barbecue sauce (or my favorite barbecue sauce, based on Sweet Baby Ray’s) can be added instead of ketchup for a smoky version of a classic Joe.
- Spices: Dress up your sloppy joes with garlic powder, onion powder, or any other flavors you love. If you want heat, throw in a tbsp of ancho chili powder, a tsp of ground cumin, or a half teaspoon of chipotle powder. Or, splash on your favorite hot sauce. Season with kosher salt to taste.
- Slow cooker: In a skillet, brown the ground beef. Drain well and add the bottom of a crock pot. Add all the other ingredients (except the buns), cover, and cook onLOW for 6-8 hours, or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
- Casserole: For a fork-friendly version, try my Sloppy Joe Casserole Recipe.
![The Best Sloppy Joe Recipe I've Ever Found (8) The Best Sloppy Joe Recipe I've Ever Found (8)](https://i0.wp.com/www.culinaryhill.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Loose-Meat-Sandwich-Culinary-Hill-1200x800-1.jpg)
What goes with Sloppy Joes?
Yield: This recipe makes 4 to 6 cups of Sloppy Joe meat mixture, enough for 8 heaping sandwiches.
Favorite sides for sloppy joes: Try crispy French fries, crunchy potato chips, coleslaw, baked beans, and pickles.
How to store Homemade Sloppy Joes
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Cool completely, then add to freezer containers (one big batch or individual portions), label and date, and freeze for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sloppy joe and Manwich the same thing?
Manwich is a specific food product that is marked as Sloppy Joe filling sold at the grocery store. However, as many commenters will attest, you needn’t open that can of Manwich ever again. This recipe is easy and delicious and miles ahead of Manwich!
How do you dress up sloppy joes?
Add a slice of cheese! The cheese melts over the hot meat and helps it all adhere better to the bun, but that’s just a bonus.
Where were sloppy joes created?
Legend has it that Sloppy Joes were invented in Sioux City, Iowa. In the 1920s, a cook named Joe was working at the Ye Old Tavern Inn. He created his sloppy sandwich filling and named it a “Sloppy Joe.”
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Homemade Sloppy Joes
By Meggan Hill
When it comes to easy homemade dinners, it doesn’t get any better than this easy Sloppy Joe Recipe, a longtime family favorite.
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Servings 8 servings
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Calories 294
5 from 345 votes
ReviewPrint
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (see note 1)
- 1 medium onion finely chopped (see note 2)
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (see note 3)
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried mustard or yellow mustard or Dijon mustard
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 8 Sandwich buns split
Instructions
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, combine beef and onion. Cook until the meat is mostly browned, about 5 minutes. Drain well.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire, mustard, and salt and pepper to taste (I like ¼ teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon pepper).
Pour sauce ingredients over drained beef and stir until evenly coated. Simmer uncovered 20 minutes, stirring occasionally (cover if you prefer a sloppier Sloppy Joe). Serve in buns.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Ground beef: Or substitute ground turkey or venison.
- Onion: Finely chopped celery and green peppers are great too!
- Brown sugar: Even a tablespoon is too much for some people. If you don’t like the sound of brown sugar in your Sloppy Joe, please leave it out!
- Yield: This recipe makes 4 to 6 cups of Sloppy Joe meat mixture, enough for 8 heaping sandwiches.
- Storage: Store covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 sandwichCalories: 294kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 14gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 412mgPotassium: 292mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 77IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 92mgIron: 3mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @culinaryhill on Instagram so we can admire your masterpiece! #culinaryhill
Meggan Hill
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Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.