A family classic, the best Sloppy Joe recipe is our favorite thing to make with a pack of ground beef. Made with whole ingredients, this is a simple, quick dinner the entire family will love.

Sloppy Joe on a bun with pickles on a white plate with blue spots.


Best Sloppy Joe

We love a Sloppy Joe Sandwiches because they’re quick and easy to make for busy weeknights. The canned sauces are ok but I made the best homemade sloppy joes in about the same amount of time and now I can never turn back.

These Sloppy Joes are the best thing to make when you want to know what to make with a pack of ground beef. They’re simmered in a savory, tangy sauce that comes together in minutes.

We love to use this sloppy Joe mix for sandwiches but it’s also amazing to make stuffed potatoes, quesadillas, pizza and more. The limit does not exist as to what you can do with this recipe.

Sloppy Joe Sauce with ground beef in a skillet with a gold serving spoon

How To Make Homemade Sloppy Joe

This easy Sloppy Joe recipe comes together in minutes. You can easily make this is the slow cooker for parties or to make dinner time even easier.

  1. Prep the ingredients. Cook the onions, bell pepper and garlic until softened.
  2. Enhance the flavor. Stir in the chili powder and tomato paste.
  3. Brown the beef. Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
  4. Make the sauce. Whisk together the sauce ingredients and stir it in with the beef.
  5. Simmer. Allow the sauce to simmer until thick and saucy.
  6. Serve. Top a roll with your Sloppy Joe mix and serve.

The Very Best Sloppy Joe recipe is super easy to make and is ready in less than 30 minutes. It’s great to make ahead since the flavors have more time to develop and it freezes beautifully too! It’s wonderful piled on a soft fluffy hamburger bun.  

Sloppy Joe being spooned onto a burger bun.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container, refrigerated, for up to 5 days. Reheat in a saucepan or the microwave until warmed through.

Sloppy Joe on a potato roll with a pickle on a plate.

Best Sides for Sloppy Joes

Some of our favorite side dishes for Sloppy Joes.

For more easy dinner ideas, follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

Sloppy Joe on a potato roll with a pickle on a plate.

Get the Recipe: The Best Sloppy Joe Recipe

Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
The best sloppy Joe recipe starts with the best sloppy Joe sauce and this recipe has the slow simmered taste you'll crave night after night.
4.50 from 2 votes
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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 lb lean ground beef, 85%-90% lean
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tsp yellow mustard
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 15 oz can tomato sauce
  • ½ tsp salt, or to taste
  • ¼ tsp ground black pepper, or to taste
  • Hamburger Buns

Equipment

  • 1 skillet

Instructions 

  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil until shimmering. Cook onion and bell pepper, stirring occasionally, until softened and slightly golden, 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Stir in the chili powder and tomato paste cooking until the mixture has turned a deep burgundy color.
  • Add the ground beef to the pan and cook until browned and no longer pink, approximately 5-7 minutes.
  • In a bowl, whisk together the Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, yellow mustard, brown sugar dan tomato sauce.
Pour the sauce mixture over the ground beef and stir to combine.
  • Turn the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Divide beef mixture among buns and serve.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

Leftover Sloppy Joe will last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Serving: 1g, Calories: 207kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 26g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 70mg, Sodium: 560mg, Potassium: 673mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 824IU, Vitamin C: 16mg, Calcium: 33mg, Iron: 4mg
Author: Kellie
Course: Dinner, lunch
Cuisine: American