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Easy Homemade Sloppy Joes
![sloppy Joe sandwich on a plate](https://thebestblogrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/sloppy-joes-recipe-card-150x150.jpg)
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Sloppy Joes have long been a beloved recipe, cherished for their delicious simplicity and ease of preparation. This old-fashioned sloppy Joes recipe is a hit with families, offering a homemade taste that far surpasses any canned sauce.
With its superior flavors and straightforward method, it's a dish that's absolutely worth the bit of mess it might create. Enjoy a meal that's not only tasty but also brings a touch of nostalgic charm to your dinner table.
More Recipes ⭐ Best Sloppy Joes Recipes | Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes
A Sloppy Joe is a beloved American classic known for its delicious yet delightfully messy character. Here’s what makes it a family favorite:
Filling: The heart of a Sloppy Joe is ground beef, simmered in a sweet and tangy tomato sauce, featuring onions and often bell peppers for added flavor. The sauce gets its distinctive taste from Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and a blend of spices.
Bread: It's traditionally piled onto a soft hamburger bun, which deliciously soaks up the rich, flavorful sauce.
Flavor Profile: This sandwich strikes a perfect balance between savory and sweet, with a texture that’s both loose and juicy—justifying the "sloppy" in its name.
Sloppy Joes from scratch are a fantastic choice for an effortless and satisfying weeknight dinner, known for their simple preparation and universal appeal.
Ingredients
When it comes to comfort food, this old fashioned sloppy Joe recipe stands out as a quintessential favorite. This cherished dish combines savory ground beef, tangy tomato sauce, and just the right touch of sweetness for an utterly satisfying experience.
Every bite is delightfully messy, enhancing the pleasure of diving into this timeless classic. The sloppy Joe is not just a meal—it's an experience, celebrated for its delicious complexity and comforting warmth.
What you'll need to make these easy sloppy joes:
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- ½ cup of finely chopped onion
- 8 ounces of tomato sauce
- ½ cup of ketchup1 tablespoon of brown sugar (more to taste)
- 1 tablespoon of prepared mustard
- 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon of white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
- ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon of onion powder
- 4-6 hamburger buns for serving
- 2 tablespoons of butter for the buns
Substitutions and Additions
These easy substitutions and additions can easily be swapped out while still maintaining the deliciousness of this easy sloppy joe recipe!
GROUND BEEF: This recipe features one pound of ground beef, the key ingredient that delivers the quintessential sloppy Joe taste we all love. If you're looking to mix things up, feel free to substitute with ground turkey or chicken for a delicious twist.
VEGETABLES: Enhance this dish by adding chopped green or red bell peppers, perfect for sneaking more veggies into your meal.
SPICY TOUCH: Craving a bit more heat? Sprinkle some chili powder into the spice mix to spice up this homemade sloppy Joe recipe.
BROWN SUGAR: A touch of brown sugar brings a lovely sweetness to the sloppy Joes. Feel free to adjust the quantity to suit your taste, whether you like it sweeter or just subtly sweet.
SERVING SUGGESTION: Load the hearty meat mixture onto freshly prepared buns and dive into the deliciousness. Enjoy your meal!
How to Make
This mouthwatering recipe showcases ground beef simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce, then served atop a warm, soft bun. Here's how you can whip up this easy dinner dish:
Pro Tip
This sloppy Joe sauce recipe serves 4 to 6 people, but it's easily adjustable to cater to more guests. You can double or even triple the ingredients as needed. Just prepare your savory filling, toast your buns, and assemble the sloppy Joes right before it's time to eat. Enjoy a meal that's as convenient as it is delicious!
FIRST STEP: Brown the ground beef in a large skillet, drain the grease, and set aside the meat. Don’t skip this part, draining the meat is crucial to stopping your filling from getting greasy.
SECOND STEP: In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and sauté the onions over medium-high heat until translucent, about 3 minutes.
![butter and onions being cooked in a skillet](https://thebestblogrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/sloppy-joes-step2.jpg)
THIRD STEP: Stir in the remaining sauce ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes. The sauce will thicken. As your sauce simmers, it will bubble and start to splatter. Watch for these splatters, and turn your heat down if the sauce is making too much of a mess.
FOURTH STEP: Add the ground beef to the sloppy Joe sauce in the skillet and stir until cooked through.
Pro Tip
Don’t delay serving them—sloppy Joes are best enjoyed fresh! Adding the filling to the buns and letting it sit can lead to soggy buns if left for more than a few minutes. If you're planning to prepare this recipe ahead of time, it’s best to keep your filling and buns separate until you're ready to serve. This ensures your sloppy Joes will be perfectly delicious and the buns delightfully crisp at mealtime.
FIFTH STEP: Butter the inside of the buns and toast them on a griddle pan.
Pro Tip
To achieve perfectly toasted buns, use about 2 tablespoons of softened butter for six hamburger buns. This amount is ideal for ensuring each bun is lightly coated and toasts to golden perfection. Enjoy the added richness and flavor this brings to your meal!
SIXTH STEP: Spoon the best sloppy joe meat mixture onto the prepared buns and enjoy.
![sloppy Joe sandwich with a pickle and chips](https://thebestblogrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/sloppy-joes-hero2.jpg)
How To Serve
Wondering what goes with sloppy joes? You're in luck because there are numerous delicious side dishes that pair wonderfully with sloppy Joes.
We recommend complementing them with classic BBQ or picnic-style sides like cheesy potato casserole, corn casserole, or a creamy dill pickle pasta salad.
You can also opt for lighter fare such as coleslaw, a fresh side salad, or a crisp Caesar salad.
We've also creatively reinvented the traditional sloppy Joe in an exciting way. Be sure to try our mouthwatering Philly cheesesteak sloppy Joes. This variation offers a unique twist on this beloved classic!
FAQ - Sauce
How can I thicken Sloppy Joe sauce if it’s too runny?
Simmer the sauce longer, or add a small amount of cornstarch dissolved in water to achieve the desired consistency.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef in Sloppy Joes?
Absolutely! Ground turkey is a great lean alternative that absorbs all the tangy sauce flavors beautifully.
What makes homemade Sloppy Joes so flavorful?
Fresh ingredients like onions, garlic, and a homemade sauce blend give these Sloppy Joes their rich, distinctive taste.
FAQ - Preparing and Serving
Can I prepare these easy sloppy Joes in advance?
Absolutely! This fantastic recipe is perfect for making ahead. You can prepare a double batch and store it in the freezer, ensuring you have quick and delicious meals ready for busy evenings.
Is it possible to serve this sloppy Joe sandwiches recipe on a hoagie roll instead of a hamburger bun?
Yes, hoagie rolls are an excellent choice for sloppy Joes. Their sturdy structure holds up well against the saucy meat mixture, making them a fantastic alternative to traditional hamburger buns.
Can I turn this recipe into vegetarian sloppy joes?
Certainly! If you have a preferred ground meat substitute, simply use it in place of the ground beef to craft a delightful vegetarian version of this classic dish.
How many homemade sloppy joes does one pound of ground beef make?
One pound of ground beef typically makes four hearty sloppy Joe sandwiches.
What are some creative ways to serve Sloppy Joes?
Beyond buns, try Sloppy Joe stuffed peppers, Sloppy Joe tacos, or even over baked potatoes for a twist.
![sloppy Joe sandwich on a plate](https://thebestblogrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/sloppy-joes-convertkit2.jpg)
FAQ - Storage
Can I store sloppy Joe meat mixture in the fridge for later use?
Yes, you can store the sloppy Joe meat mixture in the refrigerator for up to three days. Ensure it's kept in an airtight container. When you're ready to enjoy it again, simply reheat the mixture in the microwave or on the stovetop, then spoon it onto a hamburger bun before serving.
Is it possible to freeze the sloppy Joe meat mixture?
Absolutely! Sloppy Joe filling can be frozen and stored effectively for up to three months. To serve, reheat the frozen mixture either in the microwave or on the stovetop. Once heated, place it on a bun to create a delicious sandwich.
Sloppy Joes Recipes
Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoo ns softened butter ( to toast the hamburger buns )
- 4-6 Hamburger buns
DIRECTIONS
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet, drain the extra grease and remove the ground beef and set aside.
- In that same skillet add the 2 tablespoons of butter and melt over medium high heat and add the onions and saute until transparent, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in all remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 5 to 7 minutes. Watch for bubbling and splattering tomato sauce!
- Add the ground beef to the sauce in the skillet and stir together and cook until all is reheated.
- Butter the inside of the buns and toast them on a griddle pan.
- Spoon the meat mixture on to the prepared buns and enjoy.
WATCH THIS RECIPE VIDEO
Notes
- This sloppy Joe recipe is for 4 to 6 people, but it can be doubled or tripled. Simply make your filling and toast your buns and assemble the sloppy Joes when it’s time to eat.
- Don’t wait to serve them. Sloppy Joes are best served as soon as they’re made. Adding filling to the buns and letting it sit for more than a few minutes can make your buns soggy. Instead, if you need to make this recipe ahead of time, keep your filling and buns separate until you’re ready to serve.
- For perfectly toasted buns, you’ll need about 2 tablespoons of softened butter for six hamburger buns to make it happen.
Nutrition
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Comments
Helen says
Love the recipes
Bonnie says
Delicious combination! My only variation that I make is to add about 3/4 cup of finely chopped celery when I add the onion. This addition adds depth & flavor to the recipe. Cook it down ad no one know it's added, but you. Really yummy! 😋
Samantha Tatham says
I've made this recipe a few times, and wouldn't change a thing. It is so simple and delicious. This is my go to recipe.
Debbie Spiris says
Sloppy. Joe's recipe
Ladyinwc says
Husband loved it!!!
Sandra Stancliff says
So where are the amounts to use?
Yessi Santana says
Check the recipe instructions at end of blog post
Loren Kuzelka says
ssWill Try Sounds Good