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Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe

Sloppy Joe

iamwinfred
A hearty, messy sloppy joe is pure comfort food at its finest. This classic American dish brings together savory ground beef, tangy tomato sauce, and a soft bun for a meal that everyone loves. Ready in under 30 minutes, it's perfect for busy weeknights with budget-friendly pantry staples and kid-friendly flavors.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Large skillet For browning beef and simmering sauce
  • Wooden spoon For stirring and breaking up meat
  • Cutting board
  • Chef's knife For chopping vegetables
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Toaster oven Optional, for toasting buns

Ingredients
  

For the Sloppy Joe Filling

  • 1 pound ground beef 454g, 80/20 blend for best flavor
  • 1 medium onion about 1 cup or 150g, finely diced
  • 1 small green bell pepper about 3/4 cup or 100g, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce 240ml
  • 1/4 cup ketchup 60ml
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar 25g
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 15ml
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard 15ml
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder 2g
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt 3g
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 0.5g

For Serving

  • 6 hamburger buns brioche recommended
  • shredded cheddar cheese optional topping
  • pickles optional topping

Instructions
 

  • Dice the onion and green bell pepper into small, uniform pieces and mince the garlic finely. Measure out all sauce ingredients and have everything ready before cooking.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add ground beef, and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until no pink remains. Drain excess fat.
  • Add diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly until fragrant.
  • Stir in tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together until well combined.
  • Reduce heat to low and let mixture simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water if sauce thickens too much; consistency should be thick but still saucy.
  • Toast hamburger buns in a toaster oven, spoon sloppy joe mixture generously onto bottom halves, and top with cheese or pickles if desired. Place top bun, press gently, and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

  • For less sweetness, reduce brown sugar to 1 tablespoon or adjust to taste.
  • Add heat with a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce.
  • Use ground turkey instead of beef for a leaner version with similar flavor.
  • Toast buns before assembling to prevent them from getting soggy from the sauce.
  • Sneak in extra nutrition by adding grated carrots or zucchini to the filling.
  • Make ahead: The filling can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
  • Storage: Store filling separately from buns in an airtight container to prevent sogginess.
  • Reheating: Warm filling in a saucepan over medium heat with a splash of water if needed.
  • Serving suggestion: Pair with French fries, coleslaw, or a green salad for a complete meal.
  • For gluten-free: Use gluten-free buns and check that Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 18gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 780mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 2gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 8IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 15mg
Keyword comfort food, ground beef, quick dinner, sloppy joe, weeknight meal
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