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Dinner One Pot Beef
4.5 from 33 votes

Sloppy Joes

Jump to RecipeVideoPrintRate
By: Joanna Cismaru •7/21/22 18 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Oh, Sloppy Joes! Saucy, meaty, sweet, and savory. This American classic sure does live up to its name! It’s a meal that everyone will approve of, while barely taking any effort to execute. So, grab a plate, a napkin (or ten), and get ready to put together this spectacular dinner!

two plate with sloppy joes and buns next to a greens salad

Sloppy Joes

I have to admit something to you guys. As someone who spend most of my childhood in Romania, the idea of “Sloppy Joes” was bizarre to me. Ketchup… mixed into the sauce? Sugar? Mustard?? I didn’t give it the chance it so desperately deserved. I avoided this dish for far too long.

It truly was love at first bite. I remember the sauce squeezing out the sides of the bun as I bit down, the delicious tomatoey, meaty flavor. That was it. I was officially converted to the church of Joe. The etymology for this recipe doesn’t give a ton of information, but, they have a pretty good idea of the name of the creator. Can you guess what it is?

Ingredient Notes

overhead shot of all ingredients needed to make sloppy joes
  • Ground beef – If you’re using fattier ground beef, you might need to drain it, but mine was pretty lean so it wasn’t necessary.
  • Butter – Or whatever type of fat or oil you like to sauté with.
  • Onion – Any type you have handy.
  • Bell pepper – I used a green pepper. Use any color you like.
  • Garlic – Use as much or little as you want.
  • Ketchup – BBQ sauce can be used too if you want to switch up the flavor.
  • Tomato sauce – Or tomato passata.
  • Brown sugar – You can add more or less depending how sweet you like your Joes.
  • Yellow mustard – Or dijon.
  • Worcestershire – Soy sauce is a great substitute here.
  • Italian seasoning – You can use any combination of dried herbs that you like.
  • Salt & pepper – Season to taste.

How To Make Sloppy Joes

detailed process shots showing how to make sloppy joes
  1. Brown the beef: Add the butter to a large skillet and melt it over medium-high heat. Once the butter has melted, add the ground beef and cook, stirring often and breaking apart as you go, until the beef is fully cooked.
  2. Sauté veg: To the same skillet add the onion and bell pepper. Stir occasionally and cook until the onion is softened and translucent, 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
  3. Simmer: Add the rest of the ingredients to the skillet and stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and glossy.
  4. Finish: Spoon over halved buns and serve.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of meat can I use?

A classic sloppy joe will always be made with ground beef. That being said, you don’t have to stay within the box! I suggest sticking with ground meats if you choose to go with an alternative. The texture will be much better. You can use ground pork, sausage, chicken, turkey, lamb. You can even use a mixture of different types of meat. If you use a leaner protein such as chicken or turkey, you may need some extra oil to sauté the meat in step 1.

How do you serve sloppy joes?

These are best served over buns. Hamburger, kaiser, brioche, ciabatta, even hotdog buns! You name it. I like to brush some melted butter over the cut sides of the buns and toast them under the oven broiler for a minute or two before serving.

sloppy joe in a skillet next to some buns.

Tips

  1. If you like your sloppy joes runnier, add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of beef or chicken broth before simmering it.
  2. Try toasting your buns for a crunchier bun or if you don’t like your buns soaking up all the sloppy goodness.
  3. You can also make this in the slow cooker for 6 hours on low.

Leftovers

Let the sloppy joes cool down fully before transferring to an airtight container and storing in the fridge. Leftovers will last 3-4 days.

You can reheat either in the microwave, or using the stovetop. Add the sloppy joes to a skillet over medium-high heat and cook, stirring often, until heated through. You can add a splash of water or broth if you find the sauce is getting too thick.

Freezing

Make sure your sloppy joes have fully cooled down to room temperature before storing in an airtight container and transferring to the freezer. Leftovers will last 3-6 months.

I find it’s easiest to let the sloppy joes thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating using one of the methods detailed in the section above. The microwave is the easiest reheating method to use if you are thawing straight from the freezer.

sideview shot of sloppy joe in a skillet with a spoon inside

More Great Recipes To Try

  • The Best Homemade Burgers
  • Salmon Cream Cheese Bagels
  • BBQ Pulled Pork
  • Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper
  • The Best Meat Sauce
  • American Goulash (Chop Suey)
  • Skillet Shepherd’s Pie

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

two plate with sloppy joes and buns next to a greens salad
Print
4.52 from 33 votes

Sloppy Joes

Prep 10 minutes
Cook 50 minutes
Total 1 hour
Rate Recipe
Oh, Sloppy Joes! Saucy, meaty, sweet, and savory. This American classic sure does live up to its name! It's a meal that everyone will approve of, while barely taking any effort to execute. So, grab a plate, a napkin (or ten), and get ready to put together this spectacular dinner!
6

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon butter (unsalted)
  • ½ onion (chopped)
  • ½ green bell pepper (finely chopped)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1 cup tomato sauce (or tomato passata)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon pepper (or to taste)

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Brown the beef: Add the butter to a large skillet and melt it over medium-high heat. Once the butter has melted, add the ground beef and cook, stirring often and breaking apart as you go, until the beef is fully cooked.
  • Sauté veg: To the same skillet add the onion and bell pepper. Stir occasionally and cook until the onion is softened and translucent, 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
  • Simmer: Add the rest of the ingredients to the skillet and stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and glossy.
  • Finish: Spoon over halved buns and serve.

Equipment

  • 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet

Video

Notes

  1. Nutritional information does not include buns.
  2. If you like your sloppy joes runnier, add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of beef or chicken broth before simmering it.
  3. Try toasting your buns for a crunchier bun or if you don’t like your buns soaking up all the sloppy goodness.
  4. You can also make this in the slow cooker for 6 hours on low.
  5. Let the sloppy joes cool down fully before transferring to an airtight container and storing in the fridge. Leftovers will last 3-4 days.

    Nutrition Information

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 201kcal (10%)Carbohydrates: 12g (4%)Protein: 16g (32%)Fat: 10g (15%)Saturated Fat: 4g (25%)Cholesterol: 54mg (18%)Sodium: 573mg (25%)Potassium: 494mg (14%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 9g (10%)Vitamin A: 375IU (8%)Vitamin C: 13mg (16%)Calcium: 29mg (3%)Iron: 2mg (11%)

    Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

    two plate with sloppy joes and buns next to a greens salad

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    Joanna Cismaru

    Joanna Cismaru

    I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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    18 Comments
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    Noreen Denee
    Noreen Denee
    Posted: 1 day ago

    Plan to use this recipe for National Sloppy Joe Day this Saturday for a potluck. It is sure to be delicious and enjoyed by all who get to try it.

    0
    Reply
    Mertie
    Mertie
    Posted: 3 months ago

    I just love, love sloppy joes but I haven’t made any since our three kids , now in their forties, grew up. Husband absolutely hates them no matter how I rev up or change the recipe. I can’t even say the word “sloppy joe” as he will cringe and start complaining! He does though, just love American style quick goulash and not the real Hungarian kind I used to make. So I’m going to make this soon and just serve it over elbow macaroni as I know he will eat that and he likes all the ingredients anyways!

    0
    Reply
    Joanna Cismaru
    Joanna Cismaru
    Author
    Reply to  Mertie
    Posted: 3 months ago

    Hope you guys enjoy it!

    0
    Reply
    Yvonne
    Yvonne
    Posted: 8 months ago

    5 stars
    I made this and my fam were coming back for more they loved it. This has become a family favorite.

    0
    Reply
    Sandy Beach
    Sandy Beach
    Posted: 10 months ago

    5 stars
    What a great recipe and no too sweet and flavorful. I cook my onion garlic and red bell pepper (since I didnt have green) and let unions become clear. Removed the vegetables and added the finely crushed tomatoes while the pan is hot, it brown it a bit and takes up the flavors at the bottom of the pan. I like to brown my tomato sauces whether Im making italian or spanish foods it bumps up the flavor. I remove the sauce and butter/olive oil and brown the ground beef then i add back in the vegetables and the sauce and all the other ingredients as you describe and simmer for 30mins following the recipe. And I always used cast iron for this type recipe. We grew up with sloppy Joe’s and your version will now become my family favorite! thank u!

    0
    Reply
    Joanna Cismaru
    Joanna Cismaru
    Author
    Reply to  Sandy Beach
    Posted: 10 months ago

    My pleasure, so glad you like it! 🙂

    0
    Reply
    Barbara Aumann
    Barbara Aumann
    Posted: 1 year ago

    I have made your Sloppy Joes recipe twice lately. So good!

    0
    Reply
    Joanna Cismaru
    Joanna Cismaru
    Author
    Reply to  Barbara Aumann
    Posted: 1 year ago

    So glad you like them!

    0
    Reply
    Ruth Macchia
    Ruth Macchia
    Posted: 1 year ago

    I have made this recipe before. But now when I click on the recipe for the Skillet Sloppy Joe Casserole(with the biscuits on top), it only gives me the Sloppy Joe recipe. Where is the original recipe, with the biscuits on top?

    0
    Reply
    Joanna Cismaru
    Joanna Cismaru
    Author
    Reply to  Ruth Macchia
    Posted: 1 year ago

    I don’t have that recipe anymore, I’ve changed it to this. The recipe for the sloppy joe is the same the only difference is you top it with biscuits (like Pillsbury) and bake it at 350F for about 20 minutes.

    0
    Reply
    Becky
    Becky
    Posted: 1 year ago

    Hi Jo. My first time commenting. We loved this recipe! I have tried several sloppy joe recipes and this is by far the best. It’s a perfect balance of sweet and tangy. Its my new and only go to. I love all of your recipes I have tried. Thank you so much.

    0
    Reply
    Jo Cooks Team AMJ
    Jo Cooks Team AMJ
    Reply to  Becky
    Posted: 1 year ago

    So glad you are enjoying the recipes, Becky!

    0
    Reply
    Judy
    Judy
    Posted: 1 year ago

    This recipe sounds delicious. My mother used to add grated cheddar cheese to hers.

    0
    Reply
    Joanna Cismaru
    Joanna Cismaru
    Author
    Reply to  Judy
    Posted: 1 year ago

    Oh I love that!!

    0
    Reply
    Jennifer
    Jennifer
    Posted: 2 years ago

    5 stars
    Jo! I was so excited to see you had a sloppy joe recipe! A couple of years ago, me and my hubs went to our local pub, and they had sloppy joes, served over cornbread, topped with cheddar… LOVE! I have tried a few recipes for the jo mix, and your is my new fav! I just made it, and now have to wait until its dinner time!
    Thanks buddy!!! 🙂 <3

    0
    Reply
    Joanna Cismaru
    Joanna Cismaru
    Author
    Reply to  Jennifer
    Posted: 2 years ago

    So happy to hear this! Bon appetit!

    0
    Reply
    Sabine Farr
    Sabine Farr
    Posted: 2 years ago

    Are you supposed to take the browned meat out of the pan after it is cooked? In step 3 it says to add the meat back to the skillet.

    0
    Reply
    Joanna Cismaru
    Joanna Cismaru
    Author
    Reply to  Sabine Farr
    Posted: 2 years ago

    No, I just meant to add it to the cooked beef, but I fixed it so that it’s easier to understand.

    0
    Reply

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    I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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