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This easy homemade sloppy joes recipe delivers saucy, messy satisfaction with just simple ingredients you likely have on hand. Made with a savory tomato sauce and ground beef, it’s a family-friendly meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Much like old fashioned meatloaf, or easy Salisbury steak, this recipe transforms ground beef into a simple, comforting, delicious dinner that will leave the family fighting over the leftovers.
Why Make Homemade Sloppy Joes?
- This classic recipe brings back childhood memories of an easy weeknight dinner. Making your own allows you to control ingredients and skip preservatives. I rank this nostalgic favorite right up there with Country Fried Steak and Beef and Noodles.
- The sweet tomato-based sauce is so quick to throw together. Just brown the meat, stir in pantry staples and dinner is ready in 30 minutes.
- Kids and adults alike will devour these saucy sandwiches. Serve with tater tots or fries for a meal the entire family will ask for again and again!
So skip the canned stuff and enjoy old-fashioned sloppy joe flavor from this easy homemade recipe!
Easy Sloppy Joe Ingredients
- Ground beef
- Onion and bell pepper
- Tomato sauce and tomato paste
- Ketchup
- Worcestershire sauce
- Chili powder and spices
How to Make Sloppy Joes
Step 1: Brown the Meat
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground meat with onion and pepper until no longer pink.
Step 2: Add the Sauce
Combine remaining ingredients like tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire and seasonings in a small bowl. Add to the ground beef mixture.
Step 3: Simmer and Serve
Simmer the sloppy joe mixture over low heat for at least ten minutes,15-20 minutes is best, to meld flavors.
Pile meat mixture onto toasted buns and enjoy!
Tips for Best Homemade Sloppy Joes
- Use 80/20 ground beef for juicy, beefy flavor. Leaner meat dries out.
- Add hot sauce or red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Sweeten to taste with brown sugar or honey.
- Garnish with homemade dill pickles, cheese, or crispy fried onions for texture.
FAQs
Yes, ground turkey works well too. Because it is more lean, just be sure to not overcook it as it may taste dried out compared to the ground beef.
No, you can substitute another color bell pepper, or leave it out entirely.
Sturdy brioche or kaiser rolls hold up well to the saucy filling, especially when toasted.
Yes, brown the ground beef with the onions and peppers and then cook on low 4-6 hours until beef is very tender.
Up to 4 days in an airtight container. Reheat gently before serving.
Yes, freeze cooled meat mixture up to 2-3 months. Thaw before reheating.
French fries, tater tots, coleslaw, baked beans or potato salad.
No toppings are needed, but pickles, sliced jalapeno, sautéed mushrooms, or cheese slices all work.
Love easy ground beef dinner recipes?
You’ll definitely have to try these favorites.
- Sloppy Joe Casserole
- Cheeseburger Casserole
- Classic Stuffed Peppers
- Tater Tot Hotdish
- Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas
- Ragu Sauce
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Ingredients
- 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper finely chopped
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 15 ounces no-salt-added tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 6 hamburger buns depending on size
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium high heat, cook onions, pepper, and ground beef until meat is slightly browned and crumbly, about 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a medium sized bowl, whisk together tomato sauce, ketchup, tomato paste, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, salt, sugar, oregano, and pepper. Stir mixture into skillet with meat, onion, and bell pepper and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for a minimum of 10 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
- Spoon hot sloppy joe mixture onto buns and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This post was originally created in September 2014 and has been updated with process photos and more information to help you recreate the recipe.
These sloppy joes will be a new go to at our house. My kids LOVED them and I loved how simple they were to throw together!
These were gone in minutes! Soooo delicious and flavorful!
Amazing! I have made this tons of times now and it never ever disappoints. Delicious! So fun to use veggies for such a tasty meal.
Nothing beats the flavor of homemade! I love a good quick and easy dinner idea, thanks!
I loved this homemade version! I was so good! And so easy to make!
Such an easy dinner and something everyone loved!
Sloppy joes are a favorite around here! This looks super easy & so tasty!
These were great for dinner! Thanks!