Homemade Sloppy Joes, A Family Favorite
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Homemade Sloppy Joes are a simple recipe made with ground beef, onions, red peppers, spices and juicy tomato sauce. Sloppy Joes are a classic on the family menu, perfect for a simple weeknight dinner or for feeding a big group.
Sloppy Joes go perfect with a side of Garlic Butter Broccoli or even Air Fryer Potato Wedges.
What are Sloppy Joes?
Sloppy Joes are called sloppy because they can be a bit messy to eat, but that is all part of the experience. Sloppy Joes are one of our go to dinners. They are so easy to make, only take a few ingredients and a fun to eat.
These are saucy and you will definitely need a few napkins to keep things clean. As soon as you pick this sandwich up, the juices start dripping, and that is exactly what you are looking for. Definitely over fill your bun with the sloppy joe mixture for maximum deliciousness.
How to make Sloppy Joes
This sloppy joe recipe takes just a few ingredients you probably already have on hand.
- Cook the ground beef– start by browning 2 pounds of ground beef in a large skillet or cast iron pan over medium high heat until browned. It doesn’t need to be fully cooked at this point.
- Add the peppers and onions-cook and stir until the onions and peppers are softened. If you have a high fat ground beef, at this point you will want to drain that liquid from the pan with a paper towel or carefully scoop out with a spoon.
- Season– add salt, black pepper and Italian Seasoning. Stir to combine.
- Make the sauce– add in the tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Give this all a good stir, until everything is mixed in and the sugar has dissolved.
- Cook-bring to a boil and then turn down the heat and allow the sloppy joe mix to simmer for 7-10 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
- Serve– serve on warm or toasted hamburger buns.
How to Toast Hamburger Buns For Sloppy Joes
One of the best ways to serve this Sloppy Joe is on a nice toasty brioche hamburger bun. There are a few ways to toast hamburger buns, let me walk you through a few of my standards.
- Brush melted butter or olive oil on both the inside of the top and bottom of a hamburger bun. Place on a baking sheet and then into the oven, 3 inches under the broiler. Set a timer for 1 minute (because I always get busy and forget about the buns). Check after 1 minute and take out if they are golden and toasted. If they need longer, let them cook for just a few seconds a time before checking again, they can burn quickly.
- Place plain buns into a toaster and toast until golden brown. Brush with butter after they are done cooking.
- Using a knife, spread soft butter onto the inside of the tops and bottom of the buns. Place buttered side down into a pan over medium heat. Cook until the butter is melted and the buns are golden and toasty.
Sloppy Joe Recipe FAQs
Of course! Ground chicken, turkey or even a mixture of ground beef and sausage would work in this recipe.
This recipe can be made ahead and kept in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
This can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Just reheat in the microwave or in a pan over medium heat.
Of course, make this your own. You can leave out the Italian seasoning or add in some red pepper flakes to make it a little spicy.
What to Serve with Sloppy Joes
These are some of our favorite side to make this a complete meal.
Other Ground Beef Recipes to Try:
Homemade Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp Italian Seasonings
- 6 Hamburger buns
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium high heat brown the ground beef. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the diced onion and red pepper to the pan with the ground beef. Cook and stir until softened, 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the salt, pepper and Italian Seasoning, stir to combine
- Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer for 7-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce has thickened.
- Serve heaping spoonfuls onto warmed or toasted hamburger buns.
Nutrition
Watch as I make this recipe step by step in the video
Homemade Sloppy Joes are a simple recipe made with ground beef, onions, red peppers, spices and juicy tomato sauce. Sloppy Joes are a classic on the family menu, perfect for a simple weeknight dinner or for feeding a big group.
Can I Freeze Sloppy Joes?
Yes!! This is a great recipe to make a double batch of, so you can eat one for dinner and then put the rest in the freezer for a future dinner.
To freeze sloppy joes, place the cooled meat into a zip top freezer bag or air tight container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat in the microwave or in a pan over medium heat.
To store any leftovers; place them in an air tight container and refrigerate. Use within 3-4 days.
