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Sloppy Joes are a regular favorite in our home. We know they will be in yours too. They are so easy to make, and everyone loves them!

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Easy Sloppy Joes recipe

Making Sloppy Joes from scratch is so quick and easy. In my opinion, this is a very basic recipe everyone should know how to make from scratch.

My husband’s favorite meal is Sloppy Joes. It always seems to make him smile when he sees it on my menu for the week! We have them about once a month because I know he loves them! They’re really simple to make – even without the canned sauce stuff!  

sloppy joes sandwich with a bite taken out

Sloppy Joes sauce

Depending on how “sloppy” you like your Joes, will determine how long you need to simmer the filling.

Personally, I don’t like them too sloppy, so I tend to cook the sauce for a longer period of time to help thicken it up. If you like yours more sloppy, then you’ll want to cook the sauce for less time.

Can you freeze Sloppy Joes

Specifically, you can freeze the meat mixture in an airtight, freezer-safe container or zip-top bag for 3-6 months. Allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Sides for Sloppy Joes

This recipe is one that I feel like so many things go great with it! If you would eat it with a sandwich, then it would probably go great with this dish! Here are a few of my favorites:

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sloppy joes sauce with meat filling on bun and partially covered by the top bun

Sloppy Joes recipe

  • ground beef – you can also use ground pork, venison, chicken, or turkey
  • small onion – use whatever variety you have on hand or prefer
  • small green pepper – if you have red, yellow, or orange bell peppers on hand, you can use them instead
  • light brown sugar – you can substitute golden monk fruit (or similar) if you are watching your sugar or carb intake
  • yellow mustard – use what your family prefers
  • distilled vinegar – sometimes also called distilled white vinegar
  • salt – regular old table salt
  • ketchup – feel free to use whatever your family uses. If you are looking for a lower sugar variety, you can use that also
  • Hamburger buns, toasted if desired – or bread, slider buns, tortillas, or whatever method you would like to eat your meat mixture with

How to make Sloppy Joes

Time needed: 40 minutes

How to make Sloppy Joes

  1. Cook the ground beef.

    Brown and crumble the ground beef in a medium skillet. Drain.

  2. Prepare sauce.

    Add the remaining ingredients except the hamburger buns and simmer for 20-30 minutes.

  3. Serve.

    Serve the ground beef mixture on hamburger buns.

Recipe Tips

  • The longer you allow the sauce to simmer, the thicker it will be. If you like a messier sauce, use the shorter time. If a less messy sauce is your thing, allow the sauce to cook a bit longer.
  • For even more flavor, add a shake or two of Worcestershire sauce.
  • Watching your sugar or carb intake? Use low-sugar ketchup and substitute golden monk fruit sweetener (or similar product) for the brown sugar.
looking down onto a sloppy joes sandwich with the top bun halfway covering the filling

Other recipes you may enjoy

closeup of sloppy joes sandwich
4 from 1 vote
Servings: 8 servings

Sloppy Joes

By Jamie Sherman
Sloppy Joes are a regular favorite in our home. We know they will be in yours too. They are so easy to make, and everyone loves them!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes

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Ingredients 

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 small green pepper, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon distilled vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup ketchup
  • 8 hamburger buns, toasted if desired

Instructions 

  • Brown and crumble the ground beef in a medium skillet. Drain.
  • Add the remaining ingredients except for the hamburger buns and simmer for 20-30 minutes. The sauce will thicken more the longer it cooks.
  • Serve on hamburger buns.

Notes

  • The longer you allow the sauce to simmer, the thicker it will be. If you like a messier sauce, use the shorter time. If a less messy sauce is your thing, allow the sauce to cook a bit longer.
  • For even more flavor, add a shake or two of Worcestershire sauce.
  • Watching your sugar or carb intake? Use low-sugar ketchup and substitute golden monk fruit sweetener (or similar product) for the brown sugar.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sandwich, Calories: 302kcal, Carbohydrates: 31g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 40mg, Sodium: 617mg, Potassium: 303mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 152IU, Vitamin C: 10mg, Calcium: 81mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

Originally published on November 23, 2012. Updated on April 26, 2021.

Jamie

Jamie Sherman founded Love Bakes Good Cakes in February 2012. She is a self-taught home cook passionate about sharing easy, delicious, and family-friendly recipes. From comforting classics to irresistible desserts, I believe homemade food brings people together. Join me on my journey of creating and sharing meals that bring joy to every table!

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4 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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9 Comments

  1. Debi @ Adorned From Above says:

    hey Jamie,
    I love sloppy joes. I am giving this recipe to one of my son's because he does also and this is an easy one. Thanks for sharing with Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop. Have a great week.
    Debi, Joye, Myrna, and Linda

  2. Miz Helen says:

    Jamie,
    You just reminded me that I haven't had a good Sloppy Joe in a while, this sounds so good. Hope you are having a great weekend and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

  3. Linda Bouf says:

    We used to have sloppy joes all the time. Haven't had them in recent years. We're into chicken and fish. 🙂 Thanks for the recipe. I'm following you on Twitter and Google + and would love a follow back. Thanks, Linda

  4. Carrie @ My Favorite Finds says:

    My husband sings that when I make sloppy joes, too! Thanks for sharing at Must Try Monday!

  5. Diane Balch says:

    I'm laughing extra loud right now because I went to college with Adam Sandler and have vivid memories of him performing strange songs in our dorm talent shows. My lunch ladies weren't that bad what scared me were the "hall monitors" One wore a pink uniform like in the video, we called her "the pink lady." I love sloppy joes and will give your recipe a try. Thanks for sharing it on foodie friday.

    1. Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says:

      How cool! I bet he was just as funny then!

  6. Steph @ Crafting in the Rain says:

    Sounds like a nice solid recipe!

  7. Robin says:

    This is the same recipe for "bbq" that I grew up on, minus the salt and using white sugar. My husband loves it. I like to make a big batch, browning the beef, onions, and green peppers, and letting cook in the slower cooker; makes the house smell great!