The short answer: This homemade sloppy joe recipe simmers ground beef, onion and bell pepper in a sweet, tangy sauce made from ketchup, tomato sauce, brown sugar, mustard and Worcestershire. It's ready in about 20 minutes, makes 6 sandwiches and uses ingredients you probably already have. Pile it on toasted buns and serve with chips or coleslaw.
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Prep time: 20 minCook time: 18 minTotal time: 38 minServings: 6 sandwiches
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I love simple dinners where everyone pitches in, and sloppy joes are easy enough for anyone to help make.
Sloppy joes at a glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Makes | 6 sandwiches |
| Total time | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Pan | Large skillet |
| Meat | 1½ pounds ground beef or turkey |
| Sauce | Ketchup, tomato sauce, brown sugar, mustard |
| Freezes | Yes, up to 3 to 4 months |
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- ½ green bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 to 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon chili powder, salt and pepper
- 6 hamburger buns, toasted
How to make sloppy joes
- Brown the beef. Cook the beef with the onion and pepper in a skillet over medium-high heat for 7 to 8 minutes, breaking it up.
- Check and drain. Cook ground beef to 160°F, as the FoodSafety.gov chart lists, then drain the fat.
- Add garlic. Stir in the garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Make the sauce. Add tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire, chili powder, salt and pepper.
- Simmer. Cook uncovered 10 minutes, stirring now and then, until thick.
- Serve. Spoon onto toasted buns.
The USDA ground beef guide recommends using a food thermometer to check that it has reached 160°F.
Sloppy joe sauce, homemade vs. canned
| Homemade | Canned sauce | |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Pantry staples | Ready-made |
| Sugar and salt | You choose | Fixed |
| Time | 20 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Flavor | Adjustable sweet and tangy | One set taste |
Swaps and variations
- Turkey sloppy joes: use ground turkey and cook it to 165°F.
- Sloppy joe sliders: serve on slider buns for parties.
- Sloppy joe casserole: top the meat with biscuits and cheese and bake at 375°F.
- Slow cooker: keep it warm on low for a potluck. More ideas in our Christmas potluck ideas.
- Hidden veggies: stir in finely grated carrot or zucchini with the onion.
Make-ahead and storage
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and eat them within 3 to 4 days, as the USDA leftovers guide recommends. Freeze cooled meat flat in bags for quick weeknight dinners. See more make-ahead options in our freezer meals list.
Tips for the best sloppy joes
- Dice the vegetables small. Fine pieces melt into the sauce, so picky eaters hardly notice them.
- Balance sweet and tangy. Start with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, taste, then add more if you like.
- Let it simmer. Ten minutes uncovered thickens the sauce so it stays on the bun.
- Toast the buns. A quick toast in butter keeps the bread from going soggy.
- Make extra. Leftover filling makes quick lunches or baked potato toppers.
Sloppy joes for a crowd
| Sandwiches | Ground beef | Tomato sauce | Ketchup | Buns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 1½ pounds | 8 ounces | ½ cup | 6 |
| 12 | 3 pounds | 16 ounces | 1 cup | 12 |
| 24 | 6 pounds | 32 ounces | 2 cups | 24 |
| 36 | 9 pounds | 48 ounces | 3 cups | 36 |
Scale the brown sugar, mustard and Worcestershire the same way, then taste and adjust. A slow cooker on the warm setting keeps a big batch ready for a game day or school event.
Toppings and add-ons
- Cheese: a slice of cheddar or pepper jack melted on top
- Crunch: dill pickle chips, crispy onions or coleslaw piled on the meat
- Heat: pickled jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce
- Bread swaps: Texas toast, brioche buns, slider rolls or baked potatoes
- Lettuce wraps: a lighter, lower-carb way to serve the filling
Plan a budget sandwich night
- Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99): plan sloppy joe night and the shopping list together.
- Family Recipe Binder ($6.99): save your sweet-to-tangy ratio.
- Budget Planner Printable ($5.99): track how budget dinners shrink your grocery bill.
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More ground beef dinners
Want more cheap ground beef dinners? See our goulash recipe and our baked stuffed peppers. For a wrap night with beans, rice and seasoned meat, make a burrito.
Frequently asked questions
What is in a sloppy joe? A sloppy joe is ground beef simmered in a sweet and tangy tomato sauce, served on a hamburger bun. The sauce is usually ketchup, tomato sauce, brown sugar, mustard and Worcestershire.
How do you make sloppy joe sauce from scratch? Mix ketchup, tomato sauce, brown sugar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder and a pinch of chili powder. Simmer it with the cooked beef for 10 minutes until thick.
What's the difference between sloppy joes and Manwich? Manwich is a canned sloppy joe sauce, while homemade sloppy joes use pantry ingredients. Making it yourself lets you control the sugar, salt and spice.
How do you keep sloppy joes from being too runny? Simmer the sauce uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes so the liquid cooks down. If it's still thin, add a spoonful of tomato paste.
Can I use ground turkey for sloppy joes? Yes, ground turkey works well in sloppy joes and is leaner than beef. Cook it to 165°F and add a little extra Worcestershire for more savory flavor.
How much meat do I need for sloppy joes for a crowd? Plan about 1 pound of ground beef for every 4 to 5 sandwiches. For 20 people, cook 4 to 5 pounds and multiply the sauce the same way.
Can you make sloppy joes in a slow cooker? Yes, you can make sloppy joes in a slow cooker. Brown the meat first, then cook it with the sauce on low for 4 to 6 hours. It's an easy way to keep sloppy joes warm for a party.
What sides go with sloppy joes? Potato chips, french fries and coleslaw are the classic sides for sloppy joes. Corn on the cob, pickles, baked beans and a green salad also work well.
How long do sloppy joes last in the fridge? Cooked sloppy joe meat lasts 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Refrigerate it within 2 hours and reheat it to 165°F, which follows USDA leftover guidance.
Can you freeze sloppy joe meat? Yes, sloppy joe meat freezes very well for about 3 to 4 months. Cool it, freeze it flat in a bag, then thaw it in the fridge overnight.
How do you keep sloppy joe buns from getting soggy? Toast the buns with a little butter in a skillet or under the broiler before filling them. The crisp surface keeps the sauce from soaking in.
Are sloppy joes a budget-friendly dinner? Yes, sloppy joes are one of the most budget-friendly family dinners because they stretch 1 pound of beef into 4 to 5 sandwiches. The Budget Planner Printable ($5.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. helps you track how cheap staples like this lower your grocery total.
Sources
- FoodSafety.gov: Safe minimum internal temperatures foodsafety.gov
- USDA FSIS: Ground beef and food safety fsis.usda.gov
- USDA FSIS: Leftovers and food safety fsis.usda.gov