Recipe video above. Everybody loves Sloppy Joes - and they're easy to make from scratch! I like making it with crushed tomato and less ketchup, and skipping the flavoured canned tomato sauces. Ideal freezer food, and to scale up to make for gatherings. SWEETNESS: Sloppy Joes are typically quite sweet, this is less sweet than most. But if you want it with just a bit of sweetness, skip the brown sugar and add it in gradually towards the end, adjusting to taste.
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time40 minutesmins
Total Time50 minutesmins
Course: Mains
Cuisine: Western
Keyword: Sloppy Joe recipe, Sloppy Joes
Servings: 5-6 people
Calories: 407cal
Author: Nagi
Ingredients
1tbsp/15g butter
2garlic cloves, minced
1onion, finely chopped
1green capsicum/bell pepper, diced
500g/1lb ground beef(mince) (Note 1)
1tbspDijon mustardOR 1 tsp dry mustard
1.5tbspbrown sugar
1/2cupketchup
400g/14oz crushed tomato, canned
2tspWorcestershire sauce
1tbsptomato paste
1beef bouillon cube, crumbled (Note 2)
1/4tspblack pepper
To serve:
5 to 6soft 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!
Notes
1. Meat - Also terrific made with pork! If using chicken or turkey, switch the bouillon cube for chicken and use 1 tsp extra Worcestershire Sauce.2. Beef bouillon cube - or 1.5 tsp beef stock powder. If you don't have either, chicken will also do. Worst case - use salt (add to taste at the end)3. Rolls - my favourite is brioche buns and soft small hamburger buns. Any rolls or bread is fine here.4. Other Fixing Options: 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 - crisps are a favourite in the States which is ideal for gatherings. For a meal option, try this Everyday Cabbage Salad (my non-mayo Slaw), doubles as side OR stuffing in the Sloppy Joes. A classic mayo-based Coleslaw is also an option, but I think the Sloppy Joe Sauce works better with the fresher no-mayonnaise Slaw.5. Slow Cooker Option: Cook for 6 hours on LOW for amazingly ultra tender meat! Give it a good stir at the end to evaporate excess liquid.6. Storing: Filling will keep 4 to 5 days in the fridge in an airtight container, or up to 3 months in the freezer (cool then freeze). Defrost then reheat using method of choice (I microwave). Best not to keep rolls with filling on it - goes sloppy (oh... the name... 💡)7. Nutrition - assuming soft white rolls used, not brioche.
Nutrition Facts
Sloppy Joes
Amount Per Serving
Calories 407Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Cholesterol 71mg24%
Sodium 891mg39%
Potassium 819mg23%
Carbohydrates 42g14%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 17g19%
Protein 26g52%
Vitamin A 1160IU23%
Vitamin C 42.3mg51%
Calcium 130mg13%
Iron 5.2mg29%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.