This Homemade Sloppy Joes recipe makes a quick and easy, super hearty meal that’s perfect for busy nights at home or for crowd-pleasing get-togethers!

Ground beef is simmered in a savory tomato sauce with diced onions and peppers, spicy seasonings, and then served between toasted burger buns. It’s the kind of recipe that everyone welcomes at any gathering! Everyone loves a good sloppy joe recipe, and this one comes together without a hitch to make the best spicy and savory hot sandwich ever. Perfect on homemade hamburger buns, but also delish served over mashed potatoes.

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ingredients to make Homemade Sloppy Joes

Ingredients & Variations

BEEF: Ground beef has a mild flavor that soaks up the delicious savory sauce! A mix of ground beef and sausage will produce an extra juicy filling. But, leftovers like turkey and chicken work perfectly, too! Bacon bits added to the mix will bump up the flavor!

SAUCE: This super easy sauce is made from ingredients already in the fridge and pantry! Tomato sauce and paste, chili sauce, brown sugar, a splash of vinegar, and a few seasonings infuse into the beef for the best sloppy joe sauce ever! Spice it up with some Tabasco, Sriracha, garlic powder, or check out these multi-purpose DIY seasoning blends like Homemade Taco Seasoning, Fajita Seasoning, or Best Beef Brisket Rub.

BUNS: Choose the best buns! They need to be heavy, hearty, and ready to hold all that delicious sloppy joe filling! Try these Homemade Hamburger Buns for the best sandwich ever. And for best results, toast the buns and then rub the toasted sides with a fresh clove of garlic, or spread some Roasted Garlic on it, before adding the sloppy joe filling!

ADD-INS: Adding small veggies with the bell peppers like corn, sliced mushrooms or shredded zucchini and carrots means you can sneak in those healthy veggies and the kids won’t even know it!

cooking filling to make Homemade Sloppy Joes

How to Make Homemade Sloppy Joes

This simple dinner is ready in no time:

  1. Saute onions and peppers in butter until softened. Add ground beef and garlic.
  2. Add remaining ingredients (except buns) per recipe directions listed below. Simmer until desired thickness is achieved.
  3. Cut and toast buns, if desired.
  4. Scoop meat mixture into buns and serve immediately.

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Tips for a Simple Dinner

Be sure to break up the ground beef into small pieces so it’s easier to stir into the sauce. 

Sloppy Joes are even more delicious the next day! So Make Homemade Sloppy Joes ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to enjoy, up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove for a quick lunch or weeknight meal.

Batch cook Sloppy Joes, and freeze in labelled containers for up to 2 months. Defrost in refrigerator until ready to reheat.

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Homemade Sloppy Joes

Thick and chunky meat sauce is simmered with seasonings and veggies for the best Homemade Sloppy Joes sandwich.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 8 -10 servings
Author Candace

Ingredients  

  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • 2 cups chopped onion about 1 onion
  • 1 green bell pepper chopped
  • 1 yellow bell pepper or orange pepper (or sweet red pepper)
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 10.5 ounces condensed tomato soup 1 can
  • ½ cup chili sauce
  • cup brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 6 ounces tomato paste 1 can
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 8 hamburger buns or kaiser buns

Instructions 

  • Melt butter, and saute onions and peppers for 3 minutes. Add ground beef and garlic. Break up beef with a meat chopper (or wooden spoon) and cook until beef is browned, about 6 minutes.
  • Add soup, chili sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, or until sloppy joes are thickened to desired consistency. Add water if needed.
  • Meanwhile, cut buns. Toast if desired*.
  • Serve on buns, along with a salad or other vegetables.

Notes

*Butter before toasting if preferred.
  • Break ground beef into small pieces so it’s easier to stir into the sauce. 
  • Homemade Sloppy Joes are even more flavorful the next day! So make ahead and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove for a quick lunch or weeknight meal.
  • Batch cook Sloppy Joes, cool completely, and freeze for up to 2 months.  
5 from 12 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
Or to leave a comment, click here!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 406 | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 1152mg | Potassium: 1068mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 718IU | Vitamin C: 55mg | Calcium: 111mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.

Course Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American

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About the author

I am a wife, mother of two, and professional accountant. I love fantastic food, and it is so often the center of our lives, from everyday dinner, to family gatherings, and special evenings at fabulous restaurants. I have always loved cooking and baking, with my mom and grandma, and now, with my daughter and son. I love trying new recipes while enjoying my favorites too. I’m so happy to share them with you.
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