Easy Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe

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Hands down, this is the best homemade sloppy joes recipe–and the easiest. The ingredients are pared down so you can use pantry staples and have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes. Serve on sourdough buns or hamburger rolls for a scratch-made weeknight dinner.

I’m a fan of experimenting in the kitchen and trying out recipes that take time, like sourdough donuts or sourdough cinnamon rolls. But when it comes to busy weeknights, cooking needs to be fast and anything other than intricate.

With that in mind, I pared down this recipe to just a few simple ingredients. For instance, I eliminated the tomato paste because I didn’t find it necessary. Plus, I rarely buy it because I can’t get through it fast enough. Additionally, I removed the green pepper because I only use it when they are in season or when I have lacto-fermented green bell peppers around.

The result is a 100% family-friendly, kid-approved dinner made with ingredients you already have. And it’s a 30-minute meal, though I usually have it done in less time!

Ditch the can of Manwich and the canned sauce because these are the best sloppy joes made from scratch! For sure, you’ll want to bookmark the recipe card below.

Tips for Making Homemade Sloppy Joes

Use a large skillet

Put your slow cooker away! This is a super fast, one-skillet meal. I like to use my large cast iron skillet so that way I can toss all of the ingredients in there and have only one dish to clean up. Also, by using a large skillet versus a pot, the ingredients will cook more evenly and faster.

Swap out the beef

If ground beef isn’t your vibe or if you don’t have any in the freezer, you can use ground turkey instead. Lean ground beef or ground pork will also work, too!

I’m always an advocate of both cooking what you enjoy and using up what you have. So don’t be afraid to switch up the ingredients. Remember, it’s a “loose meat sandwich.” Use any ground meat you prefer!

Get creative!

This recipe is just for the filling. And though I love it on homemade sourdough buns or brioche buns, you can adapt this homemade sloppy joes recipe in other ways:

• Nachos or taco salad – You can top nachos or salad with homemade sloppy joe filling. And if you want to spice it up, add red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or taco seasoning to the recipe.
• Over French fries or tater tots – Think chili cheese fries, but with sloppy joe as the topping. This is a great way to use up leftover sloppy joe meat for an easy meal.
• On roasted potatoes – I like to serve roasted potatoes with my sloppy joe sandwiches. However, a bowl of roasted potatoes with sloppy joe filling, cheddar cheese, and sour cream is delicious.
• On rice – Growing up in Western Maryland, I regularly ate sweetened chili on rice. Similarly, if you have leftover rice, top it with the sloppy joe mixture, sprinkle it with cheese, and season it to your liking. You can thank me later.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of bread should I use for homemade sloppy joes?

Classic sloppy joes are usually served on a hamburger bun. But you can use just about any type of bread you like. A sourdough bun, pretzel bun, or brioche bun are good choices. Also, many folks prefer a toasted hamburger bun, but I’m partial to steaming mine.

Can you use tomato puree instead of ketchup?

If that’s all you have on hand, yes. But ketchup is what gives these sandwiches that classic sloppy joe flavor. If you use tomato puree, add in little apple cider vinegar.

What are the best sides for homemade sloppy joes?

Potato chips, fries, tater tots, and onion rings are classic sides. But if you want to keep it a little healthier, you can serve sloppy joes with roasted veggies.

How to store leftovers?

Store your leftover sloppy joe mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.

Can you freeze homemade sloppy joes?

Yes! Homemade sloppy joes are freezer-friendly and can last up to 3 months. Just put the sloppy joe mixture into a freezer bag, and toss it into the freezer. To use your frozen sloppy joes, pull it out to thaw. Then, warm the mixture on the stovetop, adding a little water if needed.

Pro-tip: make a double batch and freeze half for the next time you need a quick meal.

Watch How to Make Sloppy Joes in This YouTube Video

Tools You Will Need

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• Large Skillet – You can make this sloppy joes recipe in one skillet. So there is no need to bust out any bowls or fancy equipment.
• Knife – The only ingredient you need to chop is the onion. Luckily, that means, you will dirty only one knife.
• Cutting board – You will need a cutting board to chop the onion. I prefer an end-grain cutting board, but any type will do.
• Measuring cups and spoons – Honestly, I eyeball the sauce ingredients. But if you want precise measurements, you will need a set of measuring cups and spoons.
• Wooden spoon – Any tool to stir up the ingredients will work!

Ingredients

1 tbsp butter
1/2 onion, minced
1 lb ground beef
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 c ketchup
1/3 c water
1 tbsp dark brown sugar
1 tsp yellow mustard
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp chili powder
salt and black pepper to taste

Homemade Sloppy Joe Instructions

Heat the butter over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute’ until translucent. Lightly season with salt and pepper.

Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Use a wooden spoon to break it apart as it cooks. If your beef is fatty, you can use a strainer to drain the grease (optional). Again, lightly season with salt and pepper.

Toss in the garlic and cook just until aromatic.

Add the ketchup and water. Stir until thoroughly combined. Mix in the remaining ingredients (brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and chili powder).

Lower the heat to medium, and cook until the sauce has reduced and thickened to your desired consistency.

Serve on steamed sourdough buns or toasted hamburger buns.

Note: If you have a green bell pepper or fermented bell peppers to use up, throw them in with the onion. I removed them from the recipe for ease. But they are delicious!

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