This Sloppy Joe recipe is just as quick and easy as using canned sloppy joe sauce but without hefty amounts of sodium and other added ingredients. To step up your sloppy joe recipe, try my Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes or Minnesota Sloppy Joes.
Sloppy Joe Recipe
In the 1930s, a cook named Joe (makes sense) decided to add some tomato sauce to ground beef. These ‘loose meat sandwiches’ with tomato sauce became known as Sloppy Joes. These sandwiches are inexpensive to make and are loved by both kids and adults alike!
You may notice that one thing is missing from my Sloppy Joe recipes… green peppers. I used to make Sloppy Joe the same way everyone else did, adding the chopped green peppers and calling it a day. A few years ago I had rotten green peppers and had to leave them out. What happened was a magical thing, the flavors of the seasonings really shone through. Folks at our BBQ kept asking me for the recipe, wondering what my secret was! And it really is that easy… leave out those green peppers!
Tips, Tricks, and Variations
- Toast the hamburger buns. Sloppy joes are supposed to be “sloppy” not “soggy”. Toasting the bun keeps the juices from soaking into the bun and making it a soggy mess.
- Pair it with the perfect side dish, some pickles, some potato chips, or some Classic Country Potato Salad.
- Use ground chicken or pork. Turkey would be delicious as well. You could also use vegetable protein in place of ground beef for a meatless sloppy joe.
How To Serve Sloppy Joes
This Sloppy Joe recipe can be used for more than just filling a hamburger bun. Here are some other delicious options:
- Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes
- Sloppy Joe Nachos
- Sloppy Joe Dip
- Baked Potatoes
- Stuffed Shells
- Sloppy Joe Sliders
How To Store Sloppy Joe
If you have any sloppy joe leftover, you can store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
More Delicious Sandwiches
Sloppy Joe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ cup water
- salt and pepper, to taste
- hamburger buns, toasted, for serving
Instructions
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and onions until the beef is no longer pink. Drain.
- Stir in the garlic powder, mustard, ketchup, brown sugar, and water, mixing until combined. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve warm on toasted hamburger buns.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
Haha, your recipe is no different than mine!! Why do need my email??!!
I don’t need your email. That’s optional if you want to sign up for receive recipes. 🙂
I added chop green pepper and celery and 1 tbsp white vinegar. This is easy to make and it throws together quickly if you’re in a hurry. This was my mommas recipe. I am 80 years old so it’s been an oldie but goodie. The kids love it.
Made this for the first time last night and we really enjoyed it. I made a spicier version by adding roasted green chiles, red pepper flake, Indian Chile Powder and a sprinkling of tomato powder. I piled sliced yellow peppers, dill pickle slices and arugula/spinach mix on my sandwich. The vinegar from the pickled elements added a nice acid. The heat with the sweet brown sugar made it more complex. I got tang up front, a bit of heat in the middle and sweet at the back. You’re right, this isn’t like other Sloppy Joes. So easy to make and I don’t need an envelope.
I substitute the full 3\4 cup ketchup for half bbq sauce and half ketchup.it adds that bbq flavor but doesn’t overpower it.
I make this all the time but I double all of the ingredients and add chopped bell peppers when browning the ground beef and onions. I love it!
I am 69 years old and my mom used to make these all the time.
This is my recipe (mostly) but if you add diced red pepper and shredded carrot, it adds taste and veggies
I add chopped green & red pepper.
Sloppy Joes were always my dinner on Halloween Night just before taking the kids out for Trick or Treating. The first time I ever tried one was at a slumber party in 1972. Haha!! Definitely giving this one a go!
This dish is a great “first” for teens to prepare too. It has easy steps, simple ingredients, and it just tastes good. I’ve used a kiss of BBQ sauce instead of brown sugar, but will try this next time.
Amazing and very simple & quick. Kids loved them
I’ve made this recipe many times and every time it turns out delicious!