Sloppy Joes are a classic comfort food that everyone loves. Ground beef is browned, then simmered with spices in a ketchup base, and served on a toasted bun. This sandwich is so popular because it is simple and satisfying.
Sloppy Joes are perfect to serve at a summer cook-out, along with the usual sides of HOMEMADE POTATO SALAD, DEVILED EGGS, PROTEIN PACKED PASTA SALAD or just with chips.
In the fall, they are great for tailgate parties, football watching, or before trick-or-treating. They are a great addition to a winter meal with a bowl of soup. My husband even makes these at their deer hunting camp every year.
Sloppy Joes are nostalgic to me. My mother frequently made them frequently as a meal, because it was cost effective and easily served a large family. Recipes with ground beef were perfect for us, as my parents butchered cows.
In our hometown, years ago, was a department store, GC Murphy, that sold a sandwich like this called a crumble-burger. The meat on it was more finely crumbled and the bun was soft instead of being toasted. It was always my favorite.
The grocery stores sell a mixture in a can, or seasoning packets that you can just mix with the cooked meat, but this homemade recipe is so simple and much more flavorful.
How To Make Sloppy Joes
INGREDIENTS:
(Full list of ingredients and instructions in printable recipe card.)
*Ground Beef
*Onions, diced
*Green Bell Pepper, chopped
*Garlic (fresh or minced from a jar)
*Chili Powder
*Dry Mustard
*Red Pepper Flakes
*Black Pepper
*Kosher Salt
*Worcestershire Sauce
*Brown Sugar
*Ketchup
*Water
*Toasted Brioche Bun
*Yellow Mustard
*Dill Pickles
These are just the toppings my family likes, but feel free to use whatever your family likes.
INSTRUCTIONS:
*Brown ground beef in a large Dutch oven, drain grease.
*Add the onions, peppers, garlic, chili powder, dry mustard, red pepper flakes (start with 1/2 teaspoon and add more as desired after cooked), pepper, salt, and brown sugar.
Stir ingredients together, cook over a medium heat, 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently.
*Whisk together the ketchup, water, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir into the meat mixture, cook over a low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently.
Toast the brioche bun and top with the meat mixture and desired toppings.
Why You Will Love These Sloppy Joes
- They are so easy to make and are more flavorful than ones made from a can or packet.
- Sloppy Joes are a delicious comfort food that brings back memories for everyone.
- They are a budget friendly meal and are great for serving a crowd.
Helpful Tips and Frequently Asked Questions
- This sloppy joe mixture tastes better if prepared a few hours before serving or the previous day for the seasonings to blend more fully.
- It also freezes well, making it convenient to prepare extra for a later use and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Use a good sturdy bun such as brioche and toast them first.
How do I store the leftover sloppy joe mixture?
Place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. If you will not it within this time, place in a freezer safe container and freeze.
Do I have to use ground beef?
No. This recipe can also be made with ground turkey if desired.
Recipe was shared on Weekend Potluck on Sweet Little Bluebird
My Homemade Hot Dog Sauce recipe is another ground beef recipe that everyone loves. It can also be served on so many occasions.
SLOPPY JOES
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 LB ground beef
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced (I use garlic from the jar)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2- 1 cup water start with 1/2 cup and more as needed if too thick
Instructions
- Crumble and brown the ground beef in a dutch oven, or large saucepan, over a medium heat. Drain the grease.
- Add the onion, green peppers, garlic, chili powder, dry mustard, pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, and brown sugar. Stir to combine well. Simmer over a low heat 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Whisk together the worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and 1/2 cup water. Stir into the meat mixture, and simmer on low for 15-20 minutes. Cook uncoverered and stir frequently. If mixture seems too thick, add more water, small amount at a time.
Notes
