There’s nothing more nostalgic than a Sloppy Joe! These messy but oh-so-delicious sandwiches are filled with ground meat that’s sauteed with onions and peppers in a tangy sauce and are just as much fun to eat as they are to make!
While a Sloppy Joe sandwich is often associated with school cafeterias and can therefore get a bad rap at times, I’m here to tell you that these are not your lunch lady’s Sloppy Joes! (Am I the only one who wants to belt out Adam Sandler’s “Lunch Lady Land”?)
These are the tangy, delicious, perfectly seasoned and easy homemade Sloppy Joes everyone loves!
Sloppy Joe sandwiches come together quickly and are great for weeknights! Serve with sauteed broccoli and stovetop mac and cheese or smashed potatoes and roasted broccoli for a complete meal.
Recipe Ingredients
All ingredients for this recipe are shown in the pic below and special notes are made in this bulleted list to assist you.
Ground beef. Though you can use a 80/20 beef you don’t really need to since there are a lot of flavor enhancers being added. A lean ground beef (85% or 90%) works best for Sloppy Joes.
Vinegar. This adds the tanginess Sloppy Joes are known for. I’ve found cider vinegar works best with the flavors in this dish.
Sugar. Use brown sugar for a bit of sweetness
How to make it
Each number corresponds to the numbered written steps below.
Dice one medium yellow onion and one large green bell pepper. Mince 5 cloves of garlic and set aside. Heat a large pan to medium heat with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the onion, and bell pepper, and saute for about 5 minutes, or until soft.
Add 1 1/2 pounds of 85/15 or 90/10 ground beef to the pan and turn the heat to medium-high.
Saute for about 5-7 minutes or until the beef is cooked through, then add 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of chili powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.
Turn the heat down to medium and add the garlic and cook for another 2 minutes or until the garlic is very fragrant.
Add 1 cup of ketchup, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, and 1/2 cup of water and mix until combined and keep at a low simmer. Taste test the Sloppy Joe mixture and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Once satisfied with the taste, turn the heat to low and continue to cook while you prepare the buns.
Heat a pan or griddle top to medium heat and add a touch of olive oil. Open 4 hamburger buns and place them cut-side-down in the pan and cook until browned, about 2-3 minutes. Divide the beef mixture on to the 4 buns, serve, and enjoy!
Can You Make Sloppy Joes Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can make Sloppy Joes ahead of time. Simply follow the recipe instructions, let cool, and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat thoroughly on the stove or in the microwave and serve on fresh hamburger buns.
