This Sloppy Joe recipe is a family-friendly meal that never goes out of style.
Ground beef is simmered in zesty tomato sauce and spooned over toasted hamburger buns for a saucy favorite. Best of all it’s ready in under 30 minutes!
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You’ll Love These Sweet and Savory Sloppy Joes Because…
- Homemade Sloppy Joes are just as easy to make as the canned version, and they taste so much better.
- It’s an easy way to sneak in extra veggies and perfect to spoon over hamburger buns or even rice or noodles.
- This Sloppy Joe recipe uses staple ingredients, so you likely have everything you need!
- Double up the batch and enjoy it all week, or freeze it for future family meals.
What You’ll Need For Sloppy Joe Sauce
Brown a pound of lean ground beef and simmer it in a tangy sauce that is easy to make!
- Tomato Sauce: This is the base of this recipe; a bit of tomato paste adds richness and tang.
- Ketchup: Adds sweetness and tang.
- Green Bell Pepper: Optional; it adds a bit of freshness and crunch (and stretches the beef further).
- Brown Sugar: I use brown sugar for sweetness; you can replace it with white sugar if needed.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This balances the sweetness and adds a little tang along with yellow mustard.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds savory flavor.
Buns: I use hamburger buns to soak up the tangy sauce, but it’s also great spooned over rice, pasta or garlic bread.
Variations
- Sloppy Joes are a great recipe for sneaking in veggies. Shredded zucchini, sweet potatoes, carrots, and even Brussels sprouts can be added to the sauce in Step 2.
- Stretch the beef a bit further and add drained black beans or finely chopped mushrooms.
- Top your joes with shredded cheese or sliced jalapenos.
How to Make Sloppy Joes
- Brown meat: Brown the ground beef with garlic.
- Add sauce: Stir in remaining ingredients (recipe below) and simmer until thickened.
- Toast buns: Broil the buns until golden and top with the beef mixture.
So easy!
Storing Sloppy Joes
- Keep leftover sloppy joe filling in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
- Freeze portions in zippered and thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Leftovers can be added to a hearty soup or on top of mac and cheese.
More Quick Ground Beef Dinners
Did you make these Sloppy Joes? Leave us a rating and a comment below!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ onion finely diced
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder or 2 cloves garlic, minced
- hamburger buns
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil for brushing
Sloppy Joe Sauce
- ⅔ cup water
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- ½ green bell pepper finely diced
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a 10-inch skillet, over medium-high heat, cook beef, onion, and garlic, breaking it up with a spoon until the meat is cooked and no pink remains. Drain any excess fat.
- Add water, tomato sauce, bell pepper, ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Optional: While the sauce is simmering, preheat the oven to broil. Brush the inside of the hamburger buns with butter or olive oil and place on a baking sheet. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes or just until lightly browned.
- Spoon ½ cup meat mixture over the toasted buns and serve.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Beef, Dinner, Main Course
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I make this recipe often. It comes together quickly & is forgiving if I need to substitute ingredients or amounts based on what I have on hand. Make up a big batch & have lunches for the week!
Best I ever had! I added celery just because I like it in Sloppy Joe’s. I forgot to put the mustard in it and I kept thinking something was missing I added the mustard and oh my goodness did that put the depth of flavor it needed. This will be a go to recipe. Simple and great for leftovers. Very impressed Holly!
I’ve made this a few times. But I use vegan crumbles. It’s turns out great. I don’t eat meat but my husband does so I’m always looking for recipes that I can use for both of us. He loves this sloppy joe recipe. Big hit.