This is seriously the Best Sloppy Joe Recipe Ever. I realize that’s saying a lot, but being a Sloppy Joe fanatic myself, I’m gonna have to say I have the experience to make such a bold statement. I had a food truck for a few years in Denver CO and this Sloppy Joe was on the menu from day one till the closing of the doors. It was by far our biggest seller, so I’m just saying – all those people (and me included) can’t be wrong.
This recipe has quite a few ingredients, but they are all integral. There’s something about the way they combine together that makes this sandwich meat the zippiest, tangiest, and yes – best there is. This isn’t your school lunch Sloppy Joe, this is sandwich perfection. Perfect for those little ones and adults as well – try this Sloppy Joe Recipe for yourself and you’re gonna be hooked.
These are actually super easy to make as well, you can prep everything in about 20 minutes, then cook it up, let it simmer for a bit and you can be serving these up in well under an hour. Yum.
check out these other super popular sandwich recipes:
here’s a video showing how to make these Sloppy Joes:
The Super Delicious Sloppy Joe

- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Serving: 6 - 8 servings
Nutrition facts (per portion)
- Calories: 163
- Carbohydrate Content: 11.6g
- Cholesterol Content: 26mg
- Fat Content: 6.3g
- Fiber Content: 1g
- Protein Content: 6.4g
- Saturated Fat Content: 3.1g
- Serving Size: 8
- Sodium Content: 1499mg
- Sugar Content: 16.8g
Ingredients
- ketchup - 3/4 cup
- chili sauce - 3/4 cup I used sweet thai chili sauce
- water - 1 cup
- balsamic vinegar - 2 tbsp
- brown sugar - 2 tbsp
- chili powder - 2 tsp
- cumin - 1/2 tsp
- dijon - 1 tbsp
- crushed red pepper - 1/2 tsp or more
- worcestershire sauce - 2 tsp
- tomato paste - 2 tbsp
- butter - 2 tbsp
- onion - 1/2 large, diced
- green pepper - 1 large, diced
- garlic - 4 cloves, minced
- ground beef - 2 pounds (1 kilo)
how to
- 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.
(this post contains affiliate links)
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!
Family Favorite!
These sloppy joes are delicious! Having them for dinner again tonight.
My family loved this! Perfect sloppy joes!
These have the perfect amount of sauce, and the flavor is great!
love sloppy joes
I hadn’t made sloppy joes in years, but I’m so glad I tried your wonderful recipe!!
Sloppy Joe perfection!
Perfectly Yummy. I can’t stop myself eating it 🙂
Perfectly seasoned and packed with flavor, we love these!
yum yum yum yum yummmmmm!!!!
Pingback: this week's comfort food | comfortable food
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!
I think the portions of hot, spicy ingredients are way off. Hold on to your tongue baby!!
Pingback: Maria's Mixing Bowl | SUPER DELICIOUS SLOPPY JOES
Sounds delicious, thanks for sharing this receipe.
This was absolutely delicious! A keeper for sure! Yumminess!
Why when I click on chili sauce it takes me to adds., such a turn off!!
fixed this for family and friends and was a big hit. will make this again, i really liked this recipe!!!!
they were great! will definitely make them again ! So much better than the canned variety!
Great comfort food. unpretentious and simple
My wife Chris made this for lunch yesterday and everyone loved it. This recipe is a keeper!
Fantastic! I’m so glad they went over well, I love them. 🙂
Crushed red pepper flakes are listed but not mentioned in the directions. We put them in with the wet ingredients that were set aside.
Fixed it – thanks for bringing it to my attention. 🙂
sounds good must try it
Please do. 🙂 Let me know what you think.
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!
Sounds DELICIOUS! 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
That was my moms recipe, I still make it
It’s delicious
Anonymous- that is exactly the way I make it.
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.
Sounds GREAT! Gotta keep those kids happy! 😉
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.
Wow, then don’t make it!!! Geesh.