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    Home » Dinner Recipes

    The Perfect Homemade Sloppy Joes

    BY: Ben Rayl PUBLISHED: 22 Sep, '21 UPDATED: 22 Sep, '21 36 Comments

    RecipeVideoPrintComments
    4.89 from 17 votes

    Dive into the BEST sloppy joe you've ever had! I promise you, this will be the best homemade sloppy joe you've ever made. Serve this delicious recipe and watch in awe as everyone falls in love with your sloppy joes!

    Homemade sloppy joe plated with french fries.
    Homemade Sloppy Joe plated with crispy French fries.
    Contents
    • ⭐ Why this recipe is the best
    • 🍽 Key ingredients
    • 🔪 How to make
    • 💭 Cooking tips
    • 🙋 Frequently ask questions
    • 📖 Sloppy joe recipe variations
    • 🥗 What to serve with
    • 🍳 Related ground beef recipes
    • 🥫 How to store
    • 👪 Serving size
    • 🎥 Watch how to make it
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ⭐ Why this recipe is the best

    I realize that's saying a lot, but I have the experience to make such a bold statement. I had a food truck for a few years, and this Sloppy Joe recipe was on the menu from day one. It was by far our biggest seller, so I'm just saying – all those people (and me included) can't be wrong.

    This spicy, full of flavor recipe matches everything I crave about sloppy joes; sweet, savory, tangy, and a bit of mess. Trust me, you won't buy that canned Manwich sauce anymore, and why would you, given how easy this is to make. Forget about the mess; you'll love this sloppy joe recipe.

    This sloppy joe recipe pair fantastic with my frozen strawberry crunch cake as a dessert. Perfect to enjoy in warm weather with family! Kids love it.

    🍽 Key ingredients

    In my opinion, the key ingredients to a delicious and saucy sloppy joe recipe are the addition of dijon and crushed red peppers.

    The Dijon mustard brings a deliciously rich flavor to the sauce, while the red peppers bring up the heat!

    These two go a long way in providing the perfect sweet and spicy balance. It gives your meal an unexpected kick, in a delightful way, of course. So I definitely recommend using these two to avoid the candy-sweet taste.

    Substitutes

    Quick preference-based substitutes for homemade sloppy joes that work.

    Sloppy Joes without Ketchup

    Substitute Ketchup for BBQ Sauce for a nice bold flavor. Consider opting for a classic Smoky barbeque sauce.

    Substitute Ketchup with a combination of tomato sauce and tomato paste. For this recipe use two 15 ounce cans of tomato sauce combined with 4 tablespoons of tomato paste. As this substitute is thinner than ketchup, simmer time may increase.

    Sloppy joes without brown sugar

    Substitute 2 tablespoons of brown sugar with ½ teaspoon stevia glycerite. Or remove the brown sugar entirely if you prefer.

    Sloppy joes without bread (bunless)

    Substitute bread for cauliflower steaks or inside bell peppers. And as an appetizer, I highly recommend celery sticks.

    Sloppy joes without ground beef

    Substitute ground beef for ground turkey, ground chicken, ground pork, ground sausage, or ground lamb. Or go meatless with a meat substitute or give lentils a try.

    🔪 How to make

    This homemade sloppy joes recipe is quick and easy! Learn how to make amazing sloppy joes with step-by-step instructions and a full recipe video documenting every step. This recipe takes 25 minutes to prep, 35 minutes to cook, and makes 6-8 servings.

    Step 1
    In a medium bowl, add ketchup, chili sauce, water, vinegar, brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, mustard, red pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste. Stir well to combine and set aside.

    Medium bowl, add ketchup, chili sauce, water, vinegar, brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, mustard, red pepper, worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste

    Step 2
    Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then add onion and bell pepper.

    Butter in a large skillet

    Step 3
    You can as well use olive oil instead or a combination of the two. Cook until soft; this should roughly take 3 - 5 minutes.

    Onion and bell pepper

    Step 4
    Add garlic and cook for another minute or two or until the smell flares up.

    Onion garlic  and bell pepper

    Step 5
    Increase heat to high, add ground beef and cook until brown. Break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Once it's done, drain off the excess fat.

    Onion and bell pepper with ground beef

    Step 6
    Stir in the liquid mixture, add salt and pepper to taste, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the meat mixture thickens.

    Cooking sloppy joe mixture

    Serve on toasted hamburger buns with mustard, pickles, bell peppers, and cheese if you want. I also like to use pretzel buns or a brioche bun.

    Sloppy joe serves with pasta salad

    That's basically how to make sloppy joes recipe, easy, right?

    💭 Cooking tips

    1. Toast your buns on the grill or grill pan. It gives some texture to the buns so that they can hold your toppings without being soggy or floppy. Also, it adds another level of flavor to your sloppy joes. Simply melt butter on the pan. Cut the toasted bun into halves and place the cut sides on the pan. Toast until light golden brown.
    2. Choose the right bun! Of course, you can use whatever you have on hand. But if you have a choice, or you're reading this in the grocery store. I recommend either pretzel buns or a brioche bun.
    3. Your ground beef mixture shouldn't be too runny. It should have a thick sticky texture. If it's too thin, let it simmer with the lid off until it is as thick as you want it. Otherwise, you can use corn starch to thicken your recipe.
    4. If you're using 70/30 or 80/20 ground beef, it's a good idea to drain the fat. But to ensure you don't drain all the flavorful juices, use a spoon to remove the fat drippings. First, brown the ground beef, then drain the grease.
    Sloppy joe served on a bun with salad
    Sloppy Joe plated with green vegetables and pasta spirals.

    🙋 Frequently ask questions

    What can I put on top of Sloppy Joes?

    Think beyond and wow your family and guests with these insanely good toppings:

    1. Sour cream - a dollop or two is pure bliss
    2. Sliced cheese - real cheddar, pepper jack, swiss, American
    3. Potato chips - Fritos, Doritos, Dill pickle chips for the crunch
    4. Red onion - thinly sliced, soaked in vinegar
    5. French-fried onion - light crunch with a hint of onion
    6. Crispy bacon - that crispy texture and Smokey flavor
    7. Jalapenos - spicy twist with pickled jalapenos

    These are just my favorites. There are plenty of delicious toppings that can make your homemade sloppy joes more exciting. Drop a comment and let me know your favorite toppings.

    What is the difference between Manwich and Sloppy Joes?

    Manwich is a brand name canned sauce used to make sloppy joes and was first introduced in 1969. A sloppy joe can be made with Manwich sauce like Hunt's, McCormick, Lawry's, or Del Monte) or made from scratch using my homemade sloppy joes recipe.

    What do you call your Sloppy Joes?

    The Manwich, Barbecues, Sloppy Janes, Dynamites, Juicy Burger, Hot Tamales, Yip Yips, Yum Yums, Wimpies, Tavern Sandwiches, Slushburgers, Spoonburgers, Loose meat sandwich; a Sloppy Joe can be called by many other names. The most well-known, however, is Manwich. What do you call yours?

    Can you make Sloppy Joes in a crockpot?

    Absolutely! Brown the beef, add all of the remaining ingredients, and cook on low for about 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. Note that your homemade sloppy joes will have a softer texture the longer they cook.

    Sloppy joe served on a bun with salad
    Sloppy joe on open bun lightly toasted bun.

    📖 Sloppy joe recipe variations

    My homemade sloppy joe recipe is a guide. Feel free to come up with your own variations using sloppy joe meat to create delicious, easy, and budget-friendly meals for the entire family.

    Sloppy joe stuffed baked potatoes

    A nice russet baked potato split in half and topped with this sloppy joe meat, shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of cream cheese, and green onion is another perfect recipe. This is the perfect side dish to finish off any leftovers.

    Sloppy joe tacos

    Hard or soft tacos filled with this sloppy joe mixture, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, lettuce, and a touch of hot sauce is fantastic yet different.

    Sloppy joe grilled cheese

    Prepare a standard grill cheese sandwich and top with the meat mixture. The combination of breaded grill cheese creates a delicious flavor my whole family absolutely loves.

    🥗 What to serve with

    There are plenty of amazing sides you can serve with your classic homemade sloppy joes. You can't go wrong with any of these delightful yet straightforward recipes;

    • Coleslaw, Macaroni Salad, and Potato Salad pair perfectly with sloppy joes. These creamy sides are the ultimate side dish.
    • French fries, potato chips, tater tots, sweet potato fries, and baked potatoes give this homemade sloppy joe recipe something starchy.
    • Garden Salad, Corn on the cob, Grilled bell peppers give some contrast to the sloppy joe sauce and look fantastic next to the overflowing hamburger buns.

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      Stuffed Tomatoes with Ground Beef
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    🥫 How to store

    Homemade sloppy joes are surprisingly easy to store in the refrigerator and freezer. Make sure the sloppy joe meat mixture is completely cool.

    Refrigerate for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Consider using leftovers to create endless variations.

    Freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer bag or airtight container. I love using freezer bags, laying them flat on a cookie sheet until they are set, and then stacking them neatly in the freezer. To reheat, let thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the microwave until hot.

    👪 Serving size

    This delicious yet easy homemade sloppy joe recipe makes 6-8 servings, which should allow for seconds or tasty leftovers. However, given how easy this recipe is to freeze and store, I highly recommend doubling this recipe if you have kids.

    🎥 Watch how to make it

    What's there not to love about sloppy joes? They're savory, zesty, and hearty. You can enjoy this recipe at a family dinner, summertime picnics, easy game night, and basically all year long! Just make sure to have napkins around; it's called sloppy for no reason!

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    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Try one of my comfort dinner recipes for your next family meal! And if you have any questions, I'm here to help!

    📋 Recipe

    Homemade sloppy joe plated with french fries.

    Homemade Sloppy Joes

    Dive into the BEST sloppy joe you've ever had! I promise you, this will be the best homemade sloppy joe you've ever made. Serve this delicious recipe and watch in awe as everyone falls in love with your sloppy joes!
    4.89 from 17 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved! Share
    Course: Dinner, Lunch
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 8 Servings
    Calories: 375kcal
    Author: Ben Rayl

    Equipment

    • 1 Medium Mixing Bowl
    • 1 large pot
    • 1 wooden spoon or spatula

    Ingredients
     

    US Customary - Metric
    • ¾ cup ketchup
    • ¾ cup chili sauce - thai chili sauce
    • 1 cup water
    • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
    • 2 teaspoons chili powder
    • ½ teaspoon cumin
    • 1 tablespoon dijon
    • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
    • 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
    • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • ½ large onion - diced
    • 1 large green pepper - diced
    • 4 cloves garlic - minced
    • 2 pounds ground beef

    Instructions

    • In a medium bowl, stir together the  ketchup, chili sauce, water, vinegar, brown sugar, chili powder, cumin,  mustard, red pepper, worcestershire and tomato paste and set aside.
    • Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat and add the onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 3 - 5 minutes.  Add the garlic and cook another minute or two.
    • Increase the heat to high, add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up well with a wooden spoon as it cooks.  Drain off the excess fat.
    • Stir in the liquid mixture, generously salt and pepper and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until thickened.
    • Serve on toasted hamburger buns with mustard, pickles and cheese if you want.

    Video

    Notes

    1. Toast your buns on the grill or grill pan. It gives some texture to the buns so that they can hold your toppings without being soggy or floppy. Also, it adds another level of flavor to your sloppy joes. Simply melt butter on the pan. Cut the toasted bun into halves and place the cut sides on the pan. Toast until light golden brown.
    2. Choose the right bun! Of course, you can use whatever you have on hand. But if you have a choice, or you're reading this in the grocery store. I recommend either pretzel buns or a brioche bun.
    3. Your ground beef mixture shouldn't be too runny. It should have a thick sticky texture. If it's too thin, let it simmer with the lid off until it is as thick as you want it. Otherwise, you can use corn starch to thicken your recipe.
    4. If you're using 70/30 or 80/20 ground beef, it's a good idea to drain the fat. But to ensure you don't drain all the flavorful juices, use a spoon to remove the fat drippings. First, brown the ground beef, then drain the grease.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 375kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 709mg | Potassium: 610mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 622IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 3mg

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Janet

      October 22, 2022 at 9:59 pm

      5 stars
      This is my go-to! I am addicted, and love it. I have used regular chili sauce when I don’t have the Thai and vice versa. Either is great, but the regular makes it less sweet. It’s the perfect mix of sweet and sliced. I leave out the green pepper, but this is a wonderful recipe!

      Reply
    2. Lisa Noble

      February 12, 2019 at 4:59 pm

      5 stars
      These are so good! Just the perfect mix of sweet and heat/sour. This will be a staple in our dinner menu rotation. Thanks so much!

      Reply
    3. Lori @ RecipeGirl

      October 25, 2018 at 9:20 am

      5 stars
      Family Favorite!

      Reply
    4. Jennifer Farley

      October 25, 2018 at 8:55 am

      5 stars
      These sloppy joes are delicious! Having them for dinner again tonight.

      Reply
    5. Toni Dash

      October 25, 2018 at 1:07 am

      5 stars
      My family loved this! Perfect sloppy joes!

      Reply
    6. Joanne

      October 24, 2018 at 6:17 pm

      5 stars
      These have the perfect amount of sauce, and the flavor is great!

      Reply
    7. carrie

      October 24, 2018 at 2:01 pm

      5 stars
      love sloppy joes

      Reply
    8. Liz

      October 24, 2018 at 9:52 am

      5 stars
      I hadn't made sloppy joes in years, but I'm so glad I tried your wonderful recipe!!

      Reply
    9. Barbara Schieving

      October 24, 2018 at 9:46 am

      5 stars
      Sloppy Joe perfection!

      Reply
    10. Aysegul

      October 24, 2018 at 7:36 am

      5 stars
      Perfectly Yummy. I can't stop myself eating it 🙂

      Reply
    11. Melissa Sperka

      October 24, 2018 at 7:26 am

      5 stars
      Perfectly seasoned and packed with flavor, we love these!

      Reply
    12. Fede

      September 14, 2017 at 8:14 am

      5 stars
      yum yum yum yum yummmmmm!!!!

      Reply
    13. this week's comfort food | comfortable food

      June 25, 2017 at 6:34 pm

      […] Thursday super delicious sloppy joes […]

      Reply
    14. Marsha

      June 10, 2017 at 2:04 pm

      3 stars
      My mom just browned chopped onion, added BBQ sauce and ground beef served on buns! Awesome, simple and easy to adjust amount to fit the group you are feeding!

      Reply
    15. Clay Knight

      October 29, 2016 at 11:12 am

      I think the portions of hot, spicy ingredients are way off. Hold on to your tongue baby!!

      Reply
    16. Maria's Mixing Bowl | SUPER DELICIOUS SLOPPY JOES

      May 04, 2016 at 7:22 am

      […] These super delicious sloppy joes are a little spicy, a little sweet and deliciously tangy.  The many ingredients combine together perfectly to make an exceptional,  above average sloppy joes. They are so much better than the store bought ones. RECIPE HERE —>>> https://comfortablefood.com/super-delicious-sloppy-joes/ […]

      Reply
    17. Linda

      May 02, 2016 at 12:25 pm

      Sounds delicious, thanks for sharing this receipe.

      Reply
    18. Anonymous

      January 10, 2016 at 11:25 pm

      This was absolutely delicious! A keeper for sure! Yumminess!

      Reply
    19. Sherri

      May 23, 2015 at 11:39 pm

      Why when I click on chili sauce it takes me to adds., such a turn off!!

      Reply
    20. sandra l. de cker

      March 16, 2015 at 11:57 am

      fixed this for family and friends and was a big hit. will make this again, i really liked this recipe!!!!

      Reply
    21. Anonymous

      January 05, 2015 at 12:05 am

      they were great! will definitely make them again ! So much better than the canned variety!

      Reply
    22. Anonymous

      August 22, 2014 at 10:41 am

      Great comfort food. unpretentious and simple

      Reply
    23. Larry Downs

      February 10, 2014 at 2:02 pm

      My wife Chris made this for lunch yesterday and everyone loved it. This recipe is a keeper!

      Reply
    24. Larry Downs

      February 07, 2014 at 5:57 pm

      Crushed red pepper flakes are listed but not mentioned in the directions. We put them in with the wet ingredients that were set aside.

      Reply
    25. mary

      July 09, 2013 at 1:00 am

      sounds good must try it

      Reply
    26. Anonymous

      July 09, 2013 at 12:46 am

      Sounds delicious BUT here is my mother's recipe -- much simpler and super delicious: 1.5 lbs. ground beef, browned. You may add 1 chopped green pepper and 1 chopped onion to the beef while browning but I omit them for my taste. Drain off the fat and add ketchup (1/3 to 1/2 cup), prepared mustard (1 to 2 tablespoons) and 1 can of chicken gumbo soup. Simmer at least 20 minutes and serve on burger buns. I taste it as I add ketchup and mustard to get just the right tomato-ey taste from the ketchup and tang from the mustard. We call it barbeque. Enjoy!

      Reply
    27. Judith

      July 08, 2013 at 5:05 pm

      I add celery to the onions, green pepper and garlic, but everything else is just like my recipe. My children refuse to eat the canned stuff now! I also mix ground beef and ground turkey.

      Reply
    28. Anthony Shively (@ashively1980)

      April 24, 2013 at 6:59 pm

      A vegan alternative would NOT make it healthier, unless chemically isolated protiens, GMO soy and industrial byproducts are healthy to you. Grass fed, free range, sustainable beef would be a good option though! Omit the sugar.

      Reply

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    Chef Ben Rayl

    Hi, I'm Ben!

    I believe comfort food unites us, and I want to inspire you to cook at home with everyday ingredients. It is easier and takes less time than you think, costs less than eating out, and tastes a million times better.Read More

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