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!
- 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!
Sloppy Joe Recipe
This easy recipe for homemade Sloppy Joes has the best savory sauce.
Prevent your screen from going dark
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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.
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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.
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Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
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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.
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Spoon ½ cup meat mixture over the toasted buns and serve.
To freeze, cool the mixture completely and place in a freezer bag. Keep frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
Calories: 392 | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 763mg | Potassium: 481mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 418IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 4mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Beef, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
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