Sloppy Joes (2024)

This homemade Sloppy Joes recipe is easy, inexpensive, and ready in just 30 minutes. It’s a kid-favorite, and packed with flavor.

Looking for more 30-Minute Meals? Try my Air Fryer Pizza, Taco Salad, or Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas!

Why I love this recipe:

• Homemade Sauce:It has the perfect sauce/beef ratio that is packed with flavor.
• Adaptable: There are so many ways to vary this recipe (see below) by adding veggies, switching the meat, etc.
• Kid Friendly:My kids love this recipe (even when I add veggies) and it makes for a relaxing and fun family dinner. Check out all my kid friendly recipes!

How to make Sloppy Joes:

Brown the Beef: Start by browning the ground beef in a large skillet. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is tender and translucent.

Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the rest of the sauce ingredients and stir to combine.

Simmer for 30 minutes. The simmering time is a crucial part of the recipe because it allows the flavors to blend together.

Serve: After letting the sloppy joe mixture simmer, serve it warm on a toasted hamburger bun as a sloppy joe sandwich.

Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:

To Make Ahead: The sloppy joe meat filling can be made up to 2 days ahead of time, depending on the freshness of the beef. Store in the refrigerator and reheat and serve on toasted buns when ready to eat.

To Freeze: Allow the mixture to cool completely and store it in an air-tight, freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove.

Recipe Variations:

• Add Veggies: Diced bell peppers, zucchini, spinach, or shredded carrot, can easily be added to this recipe and your kids won’t even notice a difference.
• Hawaiian Sloppy Joes:Substitute more BBQ sauce for the ketchup and add 8 oz., drained crushed pineapple.
• Asian Sloppy Joes:Add 1 tablespoon ground ginger and substitute 1 tablespoons hoisin sauce for the Worcestershire sauce.If desired mix in thinly sliced cucumber slices, chopped water chestnuts or shredded carrot.
• Turkey Sloppy Joes:Substitute ground turkey in place of ground beef and add chopped veggies.
• Low Carb Sloppy Joes: Serve in a lettuce leaf, or serve open-face on a low-carb bun, with a piece of cheese placed on top, and broiled in the oven for 2 minutes.

Serve Sloppy Joes with:

• Green Salad, Cucumber Onion Salad, or Fresh Corn Salad
• Cold Cut Veggies and dip, Roasted Vegetables or Corn on the Cob
• Baked Beans or Potato Salad
• Mac and Cheese or Macaroni Salad
• French Fries, Potato Wedges or Sweet Potato Fries
• Potato Chips

I originally shared this recipe January 2018. Updated March 2022.

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