This is my go-to sloppy joes recipe! It whips up a dinner that’s quick, easy, and finger-lickin’ good — a little sweet, a little tangy, and a whole lotta YUM!
We all love a messy sandwich for dinner! Whether it’s a French dip sandwich, pulled chicken sandwich, or pulled pork sandwiches, who can be unhappy when your face is covered in delectable sauce? Oh and don’t forget my most popular sandwich of all-time, crack chicken!
This sloppy joes recipe brings you the sweet-savory flavor wonder you’d expect with ease! Forget the canned stuff, this is so easy and soooo much better tasting!
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What I Love About This Sloppy Joes Recipe
Most people think of sloppy joes recipe as kids-only dinners — not so! Why let the kids have all the fun? This recipe is just as delicious whether you’re 9 or 39!
- Easy to make — just 40 minutes!
- Family-pleasing dinner
- Only TWO steps!
- Perfect sweet-sour flavor
- Great any time!
Sloppy Joes Recipe Notes
Meat: The traditional sloppy joes recipe calls for ground beef, but you can easily swap for ground turkey or ground chicken.
Buns: Make sure you buy fresh, good quality hamburger buns for these. For my hubby and son, I toast the buns in a skillet with a little butter. My daughter and I like them untoasted…just room temperature…nice and soft!
Cheese: Cheese is a nice addition. I sometimes top them with cheddar. If you add cheese, just pop them under the broiler for a minute or two to melt it.
How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge?
This sloppy joes recipe makes leftovers that store VERY well! Since the recipe is fairly straightforward — meat and sauce! — there’s no messy dairy to worry about. You can store your leftovers in the fridge, sealed, for up to four days.
Can You Freeze This Sloppy Joes Recipe?
Yes! This makes great frozen leftovers. Store it in an airtight container and freeze for up to three months.
To thaw, let it sit in your fridge overnight, then reheat in the microwave or on the stove!
Make Ahead Tips
This recipe only takes forty minutes and two steps to make — but if you’re really in a pinch, you can always toss the ingredients in your slow cooker or Instant Pot!
If you do the slow cooker, you can easily double the recipe to make a huge batch fit for a big family or a casual Sunday supper.
Serving Recommendations
Are you wondering what to serve with sloppy joes? I’ve got you covered!
Aside from fluffy buns and plenty of toppings — cheese, onions, pickles, and more! — I love serving this with my creamy, crunchy KFC coleslaw recipe! And to keep feeding that kid within us all, serve up some cheesy pizza fries on the side for an added treat!
Recipe Variations
- Substitute the ketchup. Swap the ketchup for your favorite tomato condiments to get sloppy joes with tomato soup or even sloppy joes with tomato sauce.
- Use this to make shepherd’s pie. Use your leftovers to make an unusual but original Alton Brown shepherd’s pie!
- Stuff it in the pie. Take this recipe and use it in tamale pie or my delicious impossible cheeseburger pie!
- Stuff it in tacos. Sloppy joe tacos? Yes, please! Use this anywhere you’d use my taco meat recipe.
- Stuff it in bell peppers. Stuff this sloppy joe meat in bell peppers for a play on Italian stuffed peppers.
More Ground Beef Recipes
Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup onion finely chopped
- 1/4 cup green bell pepper finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- To a large skillet add oil and begin to heat over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until no pink remains in the beef. Remove cooked beef to a paper towel-lined plate. Drain skillet of all but a couple of teaspoons of oil.
- Add onions and green pepper to the skillet. Saute over medium heat until veggies are soft, a couple of minutes. Add drained beef back to the skillet. Add the rest of the ingredients and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat and continue to simmer for 30 minutes. Scoop mixture out over hamburger buns and serve!
Fans Also Made:
Notes
- You can toast the buns in a skillet with a little butter.
- I sometimes top them with medium cheddar. If you add cheese, just pop them under the broiler for a minute or two to melt it.
Can you make a recipe for PUFFY TACOS?Thanks!
This recipe for sloppy joes is excellent! We love it! I’ve made it several times and it never disappoints! Thank you!
You’re welcome, Rebecca! 😀 Thanks for sharing!
These were not a hit in my family. Three out of the four people could not choke them down. Compared to traditional Sloppy Joes, they are very sweet (Turkey used). SO if you like sweet, then i guess you’ll like these. Otherwise, switch out the ketchup for a tomato sauce and consider reducing brown sugar or not using cider vinegar.
Coming from a huge family, sloppy joes were a regular in our home. I love this recipe!
Thanks Matt! Do you still make them for your fam?