Best Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe
This homemade sloppy joe recipe is a family favorite passed down for generations! Made with seasoned ground beef and a rich, sweet and tangy homemade sloppy joe sauce, these old-fashioned sloppy joes are perfectly saucy, full of flavor, and ready in just 20 minutes. No canned Manwich needed!
Servings: 6
Calories: 248kcal
Equipment
- large frying pan or saute pan
Ingredients
- 1 lb 80/20 ground beef or lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped fine
- 1 medium green pepper, chopped fine
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onion and green pepper and sauté for about 5 minutes, until softened.
- Push the vegetables to the edges of the skillet and increase the heat to medium-high. Add ground beef in an even layer and sear undisturbed for 5 minutes, until browned underneath.
- Season with salt and pepper, flip, and break the beef into smaller pieces. Cook another 2–3 minutes, until no longer pink. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar.
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes, until the homemade sloppy joe sauce is thick, glossy, and coats the meat. Serve on lightly toasted hamburger buns, brioche buns, or potato rolls.
Video
Notes
- Ground beef: I use 80/20 for rich flavor, but lean ground beef, bison, ground turkey, or chicken also work. Drain excess grease as needed.
- Extra saucy sloppy joes: Many readers double the ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar for extra sauce. Simmer longer if needed to thicken.
- Toast the buns: Lightly toasted hamburger buns or potato rolls help prevent sogginess.
- Adjust the flavor: Add extra mustard or Worcestershire sauce for more tang and savory flavor, or a pinch of sugar for sweetness.
- Sauce consistency: Add a splash of water if too thick, or simmer another 2–3 minutes if too thin.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for 3–4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 248kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 265mg | Potassium: 332mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 178IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 2mg