A homemade Sloppy Joe recipe that’s true to its name – sloppy moreish deliciousness! These Sloppy Joes are savoury and sweet with a touch of tang. Terrific freezer friendly meal option and to scale up to make vast quantities to feed a hungry crowd.
Make it a quick meal, or let it cook long and slow – you’ll be rewarded with extra tender meat and extra flavour. Just clamp the lid on and walk away!
A Sloppy Joe recipe you’ll love!
I read somewhere that Sloppy Joes are a “Poor man’s barbecue”, and I blinked, somewhat bemused. Because while it’s a terrifically economical meal option and easy to scale up to feed a crowd, it never crossed my mind as a choice for budget reasons.
It’s just darn tasty – and everybody loves it.
Moreish. Juicy, savoury, a touch sweet and it’s one of those things where you take a bite and it’s so good, you don’t want to talk, you just want to keep eating, until the entire Sloppy Joe sandwich is inhaled and you contemplate whether to wait the recommended 20 minutes for “stomach creep” to kick in, or just go another one right now.
Homemade Sloppy Joes
Here in Australia, we don’t have Sloppy Joe seasoning mixes or sauces. So packet mixes aren’t an option – and even if they were, I’d still make it from scratch because it’s easy. It doesn’t require any hard to find ingredients and in fact, I’m pretty sure the ingredients that go in Sloppy Joes are standard pantry items for most people.
OK, so if you spied the ketchup in the photo below, I know this isn’t technically “made from scratch” BUT this recipe uses a lot less ketchup than many. Also, I prefer using plain crushed canned tomato rather than a flavoured canned tomato sauce and adding my own seasonings.
Like making Bolognese….
Once you’ve gathered the ingredients, it’s basically like making Bolognese. And the flavour is somewhat reminiscent of it too, except Sloppy Joes taste a bit more like BBQ Sauce.
The one big difference is that the sauce is cooked right down so it’s really thick and not saucy at all. Juicy but not saucy, otherwise it’s too wet to pile onto sliders. Nobody wants soggy Sloppy Joes!
How to serve Sloppy Joes
As for serving:
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The rolls – any soft bread rolls will work great, but no one has ever said NO to Sloppy Joes served on normal sliced bread!
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TOAST the bread, no matter what you use – this helps stop the Sloppy Joe filling from soaking it;
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Buttering is optional – I don’t because I can’t taste it once all that juicy filling is piled on;
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Cheese is optional for most people, but around these parts – it’s essential. Slices or grated. My favourite is Swiss or Gruyere, then Cheddar;
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Other fixings – pickles (dill pickle, onion, anything of choice!), jalapeño or chillies (fresh or canned), hot sauce (if you like a kick!). For crunch, try corn chips/fritos or Slaw (see note below).
On the side – in the States, the Sloppy Joes I had came with crisps on the side. I wouldn’t do that for a meal, but for gatherings, I love the idea of laying out a big pot of Sloppy Joe filling, a basket of warm buns and bowls of crisps!
For a meal option, try serving it with this Everyday Cabbage Salad (which is my non-mayo Slaw). That would work well as it can be the side salad or be used in the Sloppy Joe Sandwiches. A classic mayo-based Coleslaw is also an option, but I think the Sloppy Joe Sauce works better with the fresher no-mayonnaise Slaw.
And don’t forget – this is ideal freezer food! Make a BIG BATCH and freeze in serving size portions!! – Nagi x
The best of ground beef / mince recipes
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Meatloaf (reader fave!)
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Salisbury Steak (big reader fave!)
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See all Ground Beef / Mince recipes
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Sometimes it helps to have a visual, so watch me make this Sloppy Joe recipe!
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Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp /15g butter
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1 onion , finely chopped
- 1 green capsicum/bell pepper , diced
- 500 g/1lb ground beef (mince) (Note 1)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard OR 1 tsp dry mustard
- 1.5 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 400 g/14oz crushed tomato , canned
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 beef bouillon cube , crumbled (Note 2)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
To serve:
- 5 to 6 soft rolls (Note 3)
- Cheese slices (optional)
- Other fixing options - see Note 4
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large pot over high heat.
- Ad garlic and onion, cook for 2 minutes until onion is almost translucent.
- Add capsicum and cook for 2 minutes until softened.
- Add beef and cook, breaking it up as you go, until it changes from red to brown.
- Add remaining ingredients. Mix well, then turn heat down to medium low (or low for strong stoves).
- Cover and cook for 30 minutes, stirring once or twice to make sure it doesn't catch on the base. (If in rush, cook 15 minutes without lid)
- Remove lid and give it a good stir for a minute. Mixture should be thick, not runny and saucy (see video). Adjust salt to taste.
- Toast rolls. Butter if desired (I don't).
- Pile on lots of filling, immediately top with cheese (heat should semi melt, otherwise pop under broiler/grill). Top with lid and serve immediately!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
After having just gotten back from 2 weeks in Vietnam, he was very concerned as he watched me pack for a weekend away with friends.
Relief set in when he saw I also packed a bag for him. (And he checked thoroughly to ensure his favourite toys and treats were included)
Miko says
Hi! Can you omit the tomato paste and substitute diced tomatoes for crushed tomatoes? I don’t have those right now.
Nagi says
Hi Miko, you can definitely use canned diced tomatoes instead of crushed – just leave out the tomato paste and add an extra splash of Worcestershire 🙂 N x
David Stutzman says
Should you drain the meat before adding the other ingredients?
Nagi says
Hi David, I don’t bother ☺️
Shelly says
Made this last night and my girls (ages 7 & 5) LOVED it. I got two thumbs up from my 7 year old and she is a tough critic. My husband and I also enjoyed the taverns (what we call sloppy joes in Iowa). I double the recipe so we have some in the freezer when in a pinch for meals.
Nagi says
Perfect Shelly!
Teresa says
Can I double the recip Andy still get same results?
Nagi says
Sure can Teresa!
Perer says
Great recipe. Family loved it, thank you.
Nagi says
Wahoo!
Paula Rankin says
This is an outstanding version of sloppy joes….way better than anything I ever had in school. We used slices of Havarti and American cheese. I’m not a real fan of cubed bouillon, so the only change I made was using 1/2 teaspoon of Beef Better Than Bouillon. Not sure if they sell it in Australia, but it is a very concentrated paste. It is richer in flavor, and less salty than the cubes. It also comes in chicken and other flavors.
Nagi says
Hi Paula, sounds great – we do have something similar here in Australia, it’s a concentrate stock in a jelly form!
Athena says
Nagi, this recipe is so good I could, quite literally, eat these every day! I use 93/7 ground turkey because I’m on Weight Watchers and want to cut fat, but after you all all the other goodies, you’s never know this recipe is made with turkey. FYI, ground turkey breast is just too dry, so I use the turkey with a little fat in it. I also add a couple of diced carrots and some celery just to get more veggies in. Everyone who has ever had these loves them, even my picky grandsons. We eat them open faced so we get more filling than bread, and they are delicious! Just goes to show you, food doesn’t have to be fancy to be GOOD!
Nagi says
That’s so true Athena, and this is probably the least fancy dish I know!! I’m so glad you loved it!
Kathy says
The sloppy joes were wonderful and I have moved them to Hubby’s Favorites under Pinterest. Thank you!
Nagi says
I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
Chantelle says
Delicious! Two thumbs up from my husband and I. I made it with turkey mince and it was perfect. Thanks Nagi!
Nagi says
Wahoo! Great stuff!
Franceine Fabiszak says
Looks like fun to peruse through to choose recipe for the day.
Nagi says
Thanks Franceine!
Renee says
Made this tonight & it was a big hit! I’ve never been a fan of sloppy joes’s, bc the canned stuff is too strong. My husband never eats it when I make the canned stuff for the kids. But he commented that he really liked this one. Nothing like making something from scratch! Thx for the recipe!
Nagi says
Glad you enjoyed it Renee!!! Thanks for sharing your feedback 🙂 N x
Eli says
DELICIOUS!!! Made this and it was an absolute hit. My family wants this for dinner on the regular now 🙂
Nagi says
Great to hear you enjoyed this one Eli! Thanks for letting me know – N x
Becca says
I made half with ground pork and half with veggie round ground (a vegetarian ground beef alternative) and both were DELICIOUS! I read others comments about them being too sweet, but we all thought they were perfect; so much better than store-bought sauce.
Thanks Nagi!
Nagi says
That’s so great to hear Becca! So glad you didn’t think it was too sweet 🙂 I mean, it IS sweeter than Bolognese but that’s the way it is supposed to be 🙂 N x
Ev says
Hits the right tummy spot, this recipe! We had it Monday night, then Tuesday to finish the leftovers. Everyone was happy! 😋
Nagi says
That’s terrific to hear Ev! So glad you enjoyed this, thank you for taking the time to share your feedback – N x ❤️
Healthy Kitchen 101 says
aw, I’m truly salivating when watching your sloppy joe videos. I’m thinking of burger, pasta or even soup with these gorgeous! Ok, I’m buying ingredients after work to try this asap xD
– Natalie
Barb says
I really wanted to love these. I lost my sloppy Joe recipe a long time ago – it was not overly sweet, and this one is definitely too sweet for me. My hubby will probably be eating all of this. I like to see Dozer, we lost our Golden earlier this year, and so miss her – they are the best dogs.
Nagi says
PS I am sorry to hear you lost your Goldie 😢 I am dreading when it comes to my time. I just want to enjoy every day I have with him… they don’t live long enough!!
Nagi says
Hi Barb! Sorry to hear this wasn’t to your taste 🙂 You could easily skip the brown sugar and reduce the ketchup ,that is where the sweet is coming from. I think your Sloppy Joes must’ve been REALLY low on sugar, I thought mine would not be sweet enough for some people as most recipes use far more sugar! Thank you for the feedback though, what I will do is put the sugar as an add in if people don’t want a sweet Sloppy Joe 🙂 That way it can be adjusted to taste. N x
Georgie says
Love ya work. Just a query on the amount of sugar used. Have read about Sloppy Joes for years and always wondered what they tasted like so I made this recipe and it was way to sweet for me. Are they supposed to be really sweet.
Nagi says
Hi Georgie! Sloppy Joes are supposed to be a bit sweet but not super sweet! This one only has 1.5 tbsp sugar which is far less than many and other than that it’s from the ketchup. You definitely didn’t accidentally add more sugar?? And used plain canned tomato?? N x
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Nagi! That canned sloppy joe sauce is just nasty! I make mine very similar to these, except I add some of my homemade pickle relish and some bbq sauce. My boys always loved them! In fact, I’m making a batch tomorrow and some pasta salad to take to a friend’s house on Sunday. I’m going to stop by the store and get some potato rolls to serve them on. Give me a beer to go with and I’m happy!
Nagi says
Oooh YES to pickle relish Dorothy!! Glad to hear your off to a PARTEE on Sunday (it IS a party isn’t it??) N x
J says
Sloppy joes are absolutely yummy N!
One tsp of dry mustard though and not 2?
No to peppers for me, but yes to frito’s cuz I like to put some in for the crunch…esp if the bun is getting soggy! Bleech!
I see ur getting an English lesson again.
This picture of Dozer says it all! Dogs are smart and know what we are up to and saying! 😂
Have fun with your friends!
Nagi says
Hi J! To be honest, I use Dijon or yellow mustard OR dried. I’ve added my quantities for each so people have options! It’s not a major ingredient so I’m pretty flexible on this! N x
Vera G says
Dozer got his bag of goodies! Spoiled animal just like mine was. YUMI food. Not sure what will be cooking because yesterday was hot today not its fresh and gentle rain. TOMMOROW will be mild and Monday hot again. Do not feel eating when is hot. Got nice home grown lettuce ok that’s not much got fish too. We have Coles now too, it was open the other day and across the road is Woolies. In Coles everything new and fresh love it. Last night news it was said that food prices will go up so Sloppy Joes is good idea never mind been poor mans meal. Hope you have good weekend.
Nagi says
Thanks Vera! Had a fabulous weekend – and so did Dozer 🙂 He was EXHAUSTED when we got home!