Best Sloppy Joe Recipe

This Sloppy Joe recipe features lean ground meat (of your choice) in a tangy homemade BBQ sauce, served over a toasted bun. A comforting classic that can be made in 35 minutes. Gluten-free adaptable.

You’ll love Homemade Sloppy Joes!

This sloppy joe sandwich is made with a delicious homemade sauce that perfectly balances flavors, offering a satisfying depth that store-bought options simply can’t compete with. We skip the ketchup so we can control the sugar and additives. The rich, savory sauce clings to the tender meat, a freshly toasted sourdough bun provides the ideal vessel for all that flavor, creating a meal that’s both hearty and satisfying. An easy weeknight dinner in 35 minutes!

What is a Sloppy Joe?

A Sloppy Joe is a classic American sandwich featuring a savory mix of ground meat, typically beef, cooked in a tomato sauce that is seasoned with spices and flavorings.

The origins of the Sloppy Joe date back to the 1930s, with various claims about its invention. A beloved comfort food known for its rich flavors, Sloppy Joes are often enjoyed at picnics and parties. They’re ideal for a quick meal and are commonly served on hamburger buns and enjoyed with a side of coleslaw.

Why do they call it Sloppy Joe?

It’s famous for its messy, “sloppy” presentation. The filling often spills over the sides of the bun, making it a deliciously chaotic loose meat sandwich. The combination of ingredients and sauce results in a flavorful mix that can be challenging to eat neatly, contributing to its charmingly haphazard reputation.

Sloppy Joe Ingredients

• Lean ground beef: We prefer pasture raised, grass-fed & finished beef, or use ground turkey, ground bison, ground lamb, or plant-based veggie meat.
• Onion and garlic: For savory, pungent, aromatic flavor.
• Green bell pepper and jalapeño: For fresh, crunchy flavor. Jalapeño is optional for heat.
• Spices: Chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
• Tomato purée and tomato paste: The base of the savory tomato sauce.
• Dijon mustard: Adds a tangy taste.
• Maple syrup: Or brown sugar, for sweetness to balance the acidity.
• Worcestershire: Brings umami, savory depth and adds a touch of fermented complexity.
• Molasses: Provides deep, rich sweetness with a hint of smokiness.
• Apple cider vinegar: Adds brightness and acidity to cut through the richness of the sauce.
• Burger buns: A brioche bun adds a hint of sweetness that balances the savory meat perfectly! Or make our sourdough buns!
• Optional toppings: pickles, pepper jack cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, roasted bell peppers, hatch chilies, avocado slices, coleslaw, pickled onions, Chow Chow, or Pickled Jalapeños

Best Buns for Sloppy Joes

When it comes to serving the perfect Sloppy Joe, the bun is just as important as the filling.

1. Brioche Buns: Soft, sweet, and buttery, brioche buns are perfect for soaking up the savory sauce while providing a contrast to the meat.
2. Sourdough Buns – our soft quick sourdough buns are always a great option.
3. Classic Hamburger Buns: A reliable choice that holds up well. Gluten-free buns are also a great option!
4. Pretzel Buns: For a fun twist, pretzel buns add a unique flavor and chewy texture that can elevate your Sloppy Joe experience.
5. Ciabatta Rolls: With a crusty exterior and airy inside, ciabatta rolls offer a rustic touch, giving more texture to the sandwich.
6. Going lower carb? Serv over a roasted spaghetti squash.

Don’t forget to toast the bun!

How to Make Sloppy Joes

1. Sauté veggies. Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and sauté onion, green pepper, garlic, and jalapeño for 5 minutes.

2. Add ground beef and spices. Add the meat and chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together, breaking up the ground beef. Cook for 5 more minutes.

3. Make the sloppy joe sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together tomato sauce, tomato paste, dijon mustard, maple syrup, Worcestershire, molasses, and vinegar. This is so much better than canned sauce!

4. Add the sloppy joe sauce to the meat. Pour the sauce over the meat mixture and combine. Let simmer over low heat for 10 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Adjust salt, or sweetness to your liking.

5. Serve the sloppy joe mixture over a toasted bun with any of the toppings listed below!

How to Thicken Sloppy Joes

The longer you simmer the mixture uncovered, the more it will thicken and intensify in flavor. If the sauce is still too runny, you can add a cornstarch slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl. Add it to the filling and cook 2-3 minutes until thickened.

Sloppy Joe Toppings

• Pickles: try our homemade fermented pickles
• Cheese: pepper jack cheese or sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• Onions: caramelized onions, raw onion slices or pickled onions
• Coleslaw: like our lemony coleslaw
• Peppers: roasted bell peppers for sweetness or hatch chilies or jalapeños for a spicy kick
• Avocado: slices or a spread of guacamole

How to store leftover Homemade Sloppy Joes

Store leftover Sloppy Joes in an airtight container (separate from the buns) in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan on the stovetop until warmed through. Sloppy joe filling can also be frozen fo up to 3 months.

What to serve with Sloppy Joes Recipe

Serve your Sloppy Joes with a side of fries like Sweet Potato Fries or Polenta Fries, or potato chips. Or add a side of Aunt Dees Coleslaw. You can also add the meat to nachos, hot dogs, or baked potatoes!

We hope you love this easy Sloppy Joe recipe! Please remember to rate the recipe ⭐️ and let us know what you think in the comments below.

Enjoy! 

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