If you are looking for something quick and easy to make for your family you need to learn How to Make Sloppy Joes. With a handful of simple ingredients you can make homemade sloppy joes that your family will love. Add the meat to a bun with melted cheese and pair with your favorite side dish!
When I need comfort food, but something that is quick and easy to make homemade sloppy joes is high up on my list.
There something about sloppy joes that I just love and you can beat an easy dinner.
Today I am going to show you How to Make Sloppy Joes using ground beef and a few additional simple ingredients.
You will love how easily these come together! My whole family loves these.
To create the sauce for this recipe I use BBQ sauce, tomato sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and spices. You can get this meal on the table in under 30 minutes. When I make sloppy joes I like to toast the meat on a bun with shredded or sliced mozzarella or provolone cheese and finish it off with pickles.
If you want to use ground turkey instead of ground beef try this Turkey Sloppy Joes recipe!
You can also make these in the slow cooker by sautéing the meat and adding everything into the crockpot. I would let it cook on low for 4 hours.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s an overview of the simple ingredients we’re using. Jump to the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and printable instructions.
- Ground Meat: I used 80/20 ground beef in this recipe. I like the flavor that the 80/20 ground beef gives to the meal. You can also use ground turkey or pork or a lean ground beef.
- Sauce: The sauce in sloppy joes is simple and full of flavor. Choose your favorite BBQ sauce and pair it with tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar. Simmer this sauce and bring out the flavors in it!
- Spices: I use onion powder, oregano and a small amount of cayenne pepper for a bit of spice. Feel free to use whatever spices you like!
- Onion and Garlic: I add diced onion and minced garlic for extra flavor to my sloppy joes. You can skip those if you don’t have them or don’t like them.
How to Make Sloppy Joes
Step 1: Cook the Meat: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef, onion, and garlic and cook until the beef is browned using the back of a wooden spoon to break it up about 5 to 8 minutes. Drain the fat from the beef.
Step 2: Add Spices and Sauce Ingredients: In the same skillet mix the garlic powder, cayenne pepper {optional}, tomato sauce, brown sugar, barbecue sauce, and Worcestershire in the skillet. Add the beef and mix well.
Step 3: Simmer: Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4: Serve: Serve warm sloppy joes on whole wheat buns with a side salad or coleslaw. I like to add shredded mozzarella cheese or provolone cheese to the sloppy joes and heat them in the oven so the cheese melts. Another great idea is to add pickles to your sandwich.
Ways to Modify Sloppy Joes
- Vegetables: You can add other vegetables to these sloppy joes. I suggest adding them in with the garlic and onion and sautéing them together. I like green peppers, red peppers, celery or carrots.
- Tomato Paste: You can use tomato paste to thicken sauce. You might want to start with 2 to 3 tablespoons of tomato paste and see if you want more.
- Sauce Ingredients: You can modify the sauce by adding a variety of spices like crushed red pepper, a different style bbq sauce like a spicy one, add hot sauce or try adding less brown sugar.
Storage Tips
One thing I love about this easy sloppy joes recipe is that I can freeze it for later. Make a double batch and freeze half of it. Properly stored, cooked sloppy joes will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
To further extend the shelf life of cooked ground beef, freeze it; freeze in covered airtight containers for up to 6 months
More Ground Turkey Recipes
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How to Make Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground 80/20 ground beef
- 1/2 sweet onion, finely diced
- 2 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper {optional}
- 1 8 ounce can tomato sauce {or use ketchup}
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Buns for serving
- Mozzarella or provolone cheese
- Pickles for serving
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground beef, onion, and garlic and cook until the beef is browned using the back of a wooden spoon to break it up about 5 to 8 minutes.
- Drain the fat from the beef.
- In the same skillet mix the garlic powder, cayenne pepper {optional}, tomato sauce, brown sugar, barbecue sauce, and Worcestershire in the skillet. Add the beef and mix well.
- Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve warm sloppy joes on whole wheat buns with a side salad or coleslaw.
- I like to add shredded mozzarella cheese or provolone cheese to the sloppy joes and heat them in the oven so the cheese melts. Another great idea is to add pickles to your sandwich.
Notes
- Properly stored, cooked sloppy joes will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. To further extend the shelf life of cooked ground beef, freeze it; freeze in covered airtight containers for up to 6 months.
