Save to Pinterest A classic American comfort food featuring savory ground beef in a sweet and tangy tomato sauce, served on soft hamburger buns. Perfect for a nostalgic, budget-friendly family dinner.
I first tasted homemade sloppy joes at a childhood sleepover, and their saucy flavor and simplicity have stuck with me ever since.
Ingredients
- Ground beef: 1 lb (450 g) 80/20 preferred
- Yellow onion: 1 medium, finely chopped
- Green bell pepper: 1 medium, finely chopped
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Tomato sauce: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Tomato paste: 2 tbsp
- Ketchup: 2 tbsp
- Worcestershire sauce: 1 tbsp
- Yellow mustard: 1 tbsp
- Brown sugar: 1 tbsp
- Chili powder: 1 tsp
- Smoked paprika: ½ tsp
- Salt: ½ tsp
- Ground black pepper: ¼ tsp
- Hamburger buns: 4, split and lightly toasted
- Butter: For toasting buns (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the meat:
- In a large skillet over medium heat add the ground beef. Cook breaking up with a spoon until browned and no longer pink about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté vegetables:
- Add the chopped onion bell pepper and garlic to the skillet. Sauté until vegetables are softened about 4 minutes.
- Add sauce ingredients:
- Stir in tomato sauce tomato paste ketchup Worcestershire sauce mustard brown sugar chili powder smoked paprika salt and pepper. Mix well to combine.
- Simmer:
- Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered stirring occasionally until sauce thickens about 8–10 minutes.
- Toast buns:
- While the mixture simmers toast the hamburger buns on a skillet or in the oven buttered if desired.
- Assemble and serve:
- Spoon the sloppy joe mixture generously onto the bottom half of each bun. Top with the other half and serve immediately.
Save to Pinterest My kids always request sloppy joes for movie night and it's a dependable favorite when we have friends over.
Serving Suggestions
Serve sloppy joes with a side of oven-baked fries classic coleslaw or fresh veggie sticks for a complete meal.
Make Ahead & Storage
The sloppy joe mixture can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge. Reheat gently before serving for best flavor.
Ingredient Swaps
Try ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter version and spice it up with extra chili powder or jalapeños.
Save to Pinterest These sloppy joes come together fast and always satisfy. Enjoy every messy delicious bite!
Recipe FAQs
- → What kind of meat is used for this dish?
Ground beef with an 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio is preferred to ensure rich flavor and juiciness.
- → Can the meat be substituted?
Yes, ground turkey or plant-based alternatives work well as swaps for ground beef.
- → How do you achieve the right sauce consistency?
Simmering the sauce uncovered for 8–10 minutes reduces excess liquid and deepens the flavors.
- → What spices enhance the flavor?
Chili powder, smoked paprika, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce provide warmth and depth to the sauce.
- → How should the buns be prepared?
Lightly toasting the hamburger buns, optionally with butter, adds texture and richness to each serving.