Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes are a quick 30-minute dinner made with seasoned ground beef in a thick, sweet, and tangy homemade sauce. The filling is saucy but not runny, so it stays on the bun while still giving you that classic messy Sloppy Joe experience.

My mom made Sloppy Joes all the time when I was growing up, but we always had the canned sauce version. I loved them then, so they’re one of those dinners that instantly feels nostalgic to me.

Veldon grew up eating Sloppy Joes too, and his family used the canned sauce as well. When I made this homemade version for him, he told me he much prefers it. I have to agree. It still has that familiar sweet and tangy Sloppy Joe flavor, but the homemade sauce tastes so much better.

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Lean ground beef: Drain off any excess grease before adding the sauce so the filling doesn’t turn oily.
• Sweet onion
• Green bell pepper
• Garlic
• Ketchup
• Tomato paste
• Brown sugar
• Worcestershire sauce
• Yellow mustard
• Apple cider vinegar
• Salt and black pepper
• Hamburger buns

How to Make Sloppy Joes

• Step One: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess grease.
• Step Two: Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
• Step Three: Stir in ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
• Step Four: Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
• Step Five: Spoon onto hamburger buns and serve warm.

What I Learned Making This Recipe

• Give the sauce time to simmer. If it looks a little loose when everything first goes into the skillet, it thickens after about 10 minutes on low and coats the beef much better.
• Chop the onion and pepper small. I liked the texture best when they were finely chopped because they softened into the filling instead of standing out in big pieces.
• Don’t skip the tomato paste. It really helps thicken the sauce and keeps the Sloppy Joes from being overly runny.
• Toast the buns if you can. It gives them a little more structure and helps them hold up to all that saucy filling.

Variations and Substitutions

• Use a different ground meat: Ground turkey or chicken will work in place of the beef, but the flavor will be a little lighter. You may also need a small splash of oil in the skillet if the meat is very lean.
• Swap the bell pepper: You can use red or orange bell pepper instead of green if you prefer a sweeter flavor.
• Adjust the sweetness: If you like your Sloppy Joes less sweet, reduce the brown sugar slightly. For a sweeter, more old-fashioned flavor, you can add a little more.
• Make it spicier: Add a pinch of cayenne, a few dashes of hot sauce, or some finely chopped jalapeño.
• Change up the buns: Brioche buns, potato rolls, or even toasted sandwich bread all work well. Whatever you use, toasting it helps keep the bread from getting soggy.

Make Ahead, Storage and Freezing

• Make ahead: Cook the filling completely, let it cool, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve. Reheat it gently on the stove before spooning it onto the buns.
• Refrigerate: Store leftover filling in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days. Keep the buns separate so they don’t get soggy.
• Freeze: Let the filling cool completely, then freeze it in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Warm it on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through. If the sauce has thickened too much, stir in a small splash of water while reheating.

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