Homemade Sloppy Joes
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Hands down THE BEST sloppy joes made from scratch! So saucy, so hearty. Serve in hamburger buns for a quick dinner!
Featured Comment
Let’s just say that sloppy joes aren’t just kid-friendly. They are 100% a family-favorite for EVERYONE including all grown-ups. I mean, saucy, tender ground beef goodness with a hint of sweetness served on toasted brioche buns? Yes, sign me up!
WHY MAKE SLOPPY JOES AT HOME?
- Fast. This comes together in lightening speed.
- Budget-friendly. Using ground beef, a dinnertime staple, this is just one of those budget-friendly weeknight heroes that is loved by both kids and grown ups.
- Adaptability. This recipe is so easy to double or triple for guests, making it perfect for a big party or tailgating season.
- Versatile. You can add in as little or as many veggies (carrots, mushrooms, zucchini or leafy greens) for a heartier sloppy joe.
tips and tricks for success
- Use lean ground beef. Use 90/10 ground beef or ground sirloin. With its lower fat content, there will be less excess fat to drain, less grease and more balanced textures.
- Use your favorite buns. Although hamburger and brioche buns are typically the most popular options, any vehicle of your choosing will work very well here such as pretzel buns or hot dog buns (a much more cleaner experience, and even more toddler-friendly!).
- Make-ahead. Sloppy joes is a great dish to make ahead of time, tasting even better as leftovers.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH SLOPPY JOES
Tools For This Recipe
Large cast iron skillet
Homemade Sloppy Joes: Frequently Asked Questions
Not at all! Ground pork, chicken or turkey can be used instead of ground beef. Ground lentils are also a great vegan option.
Zucchini, celery, carrots, mushrooms and leafy greens (such as kale or spinach) would be great additions. The vegetables cook down so the kids won’t even know they’re in there!
We love toasted brioche buns and our favorite homemade hamburger buns that we can pull out of the freezer in a pinch!
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Yes! You can freeze the leftovers in individual freezer bags, thaw overnight, and reheat on the stovetop (adding a tablespoon of water as needed).
Homemade Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef, 90/10
- 1 small sweet onion, diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 ½ cups beef stock
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Equipment
Instructions
- Heat vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, making sure to crumble the beef as it cooks; drain excess fat.
- Add onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in tomato paste, garlic, paprika, chili powder and cayenne pepper until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in beef stock, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Stir in ketchup, Dijon, Worcestershire and brown sugar; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavors have blended, about 15-20 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @damn_delicious on Instagram and hashtag it #damndelicious!
What is the nutritional values for this recipe?
Best Sloppy Joes. It didn’t need the brown sugar but if you like a sweeter version, it could be added. Served for a family dinner – ages 14 to 76. They are now a family favorite. Thank you
I had my doubts but this is that good. I won’t go back to Manwich.
Made this vegetarian with TVP. Came out great. Was a little on the sweet side for me. Might cut the brown sugar next time.
I used to use Manwich Bold as my go-to. This recipe is tasty and the light kick of spice make it top on my charts!
Very good they have change the one in the can and we don’t like …this is better
Love this recipe! Just wish it was set up for 1 or 2 pounds and the meat we buy is in 1 pound increments so had to kind of guess the measurements.
Also skipped the cayenne.
P.s.
Also AK I might cut back a little w the 1 cup ketchup w the 1 LB of ground turkey!
Doubled this recipe to eat tonight and freeze the leftovers for stress free dinners. I cooked it down a little longer (30 min), but this was a fantastic hit with the family!! So much better than the pre-made junk. Thanks!
I made this for supper and it was delicious! My husband and talked about it all week raving how it was the best sloppy joe he has ever had.
Not a sloppy joe fan at all until now. Even though I’m not fond of them my husband loves them so I still will make them. I refuse to use any of those pre-made sauces in the can. I’ve tried several recipes online, I still was not a sloppy joe lover. But this recipe knocked my socks off. I finally get why people love this sandwich. This had the perfect components in this sauce to make it sloppy good.
I am finally a sloppy joe lover. Best I’ve ever tasted.
Omgosh!! Delightfully delish! My picky eater was head over heels for this recipe, thank you for helping a mama out!!
Very good, even better the next day.
OMG! This is a delicious recipe. Very easy to make with pantry items. I followed the recipe exactly and wouldn’t change a thing although I could actually skip the bun and just eat it with a spoon! Will definitely be making this again….and again….and again!
Absolutely spot on Delicious!
What can I say…I was speechless.
I used toasted artisan buns and wow just amazing! Thank you.
Made this tonight. This was so so good!!!
I’ve cooked this numerous times since finding this recipe absolutely outstanding I usually use elk or venison Burger with a little more garlic and cayenne .
Daddy said “Don’t lose that recipe” !! It’s definitely damn delicious !!
I can totally see why! Cheers.
Absolutely awesome! Had to print it out to put in volume 2 of our recipe book.
Excellent recipe made with venison.
I will definitely be making this once a week from now on! My husband who is a sloppy Joe fan and picky says it’s every bit as good as what his mom use to make. I made it exactly as recipe shown.
This was incredible!! Had to make a quick diy ketchup when I discovered mid-cooking that I was just about out (used tomato paste, water, apple cider vinegar, and sugar), but otherwise followed the recipe. The balance of flavors was awesome. Definitely a keeper!