Step away from the canned sauce and give these homemade sloppy joes a try! They’re truly the best version of a childhood favorite!
As we head into the upcoming holiday season, I’ve been thinking about family-friendly meals. You know, those meals that your kids always want to eat. In our house, this Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese is number one on our list… with these sloppy joes being number 2! With two little ones myself, I know ALL too well how frustrating it is to cook a meal and have them promptly turn up their noses and say it’s “gross”. *facepalm*
I’ve always been a fan of classic sloppy joes. There’s something so innately satisfying about the sweet and savory combination and messiness of it all! And I know you all love them too, since I’ve been getting a lot of requests for sloppy joe recipes.
I’ve made a LOT of sloppy joe recipes lately, trying to come up with the perfect one. Some were too sweet, others too spicy. Well guys, I finally got it. The perfect balance. This sloppy joe recipe is sweet, tangy, zesty and savory, with the perfect texture and consistency.
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE SLOPPY JOES
Homemade sloppy joes are incredibly easy to make, and come together in one skillet in about 20 minutes or so. Browned beef is mixed with onion and green pepper and simmered in a sweetened tomato/ketchup sauce. The secret is in finding the right seasoning for the sauce!
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MANWICH AND SLOPPY JOES?
Technically Manwich is a pre-made sauce that’s used to make sloppy joes. I’m not sure exactly what’s in it, and have never tried it myself, so I can’t say that my recipe tastes similar or not. Manwich is marketed as a easy way to make sloppy joes… but in reality, homemade sloppy joes are JUST as easy to make!
HOW DID SLOPPY JOES GET THEIR NAME?
From what I can glean from the good ol’ internet, a cook named Joe in a cafe in Sioux City, Iowa added a tomato sauce to a loose meat sandwich. It must have been a favorite and took off!
WHAT CAN I DO WITH SLOPPY JOE MEAT?
Number one, slap some on a toasted bun!! After that, here are some of my favorite things to do:
- Spoon some over some crispy waffle fries. Bonus points if you also melt some cheese over the fries before adding the sloppy joe meat!
- Add some to a grilled cheese.
- Roll up in crescent roll dough and bake at 375 F degrees for about 12-15 minutes. Cheese makes a great addition to these as well!
- Add some on top of a burger.
CAN YOU MAKE SLOPPY JOES IN A CROCKPOT?
You can! Just brown the beef and add all the remaining ingredients (no buns though), and cook on LOW for about 4-6 hours, or HIGH for 2-3 hours. This will have a softer texture than skillet sloppy joes though.
PRO TIPS FOR MAKING HOMEMADE SLOPPY JOES:
- Before you get started, toast your buns. Toasting the bun makes ALL the difference, and only takes a few minutes. Crank up the heat under the skillet to high, and add a drizzle of vegetable oil. When the oil is hot, add the buns, then place the buns cut side up on a cooling rack after they’re toasted.
- Watch the sauce so that it doesn’t reduce too much. When too much of the sauce reduces, it gives you a dry sloppy joe mixture. Everyone likes theirs a little differently, but for me, I cook it down so that I can see the bits of meat, and when I drag my spoon through the sauce, it leaves a trail where the sauce is parted. If the sauce immediately flows back into that trail, it’s too liquid-y. I want a few seconds before the sauce covers the trail, which gives me a saucy consistency that’s not too liquid.
- Choose your favorite type of bun. I usually go for either a pretzel bun (like I did in these Beer and Chorizo Sloppy Joes!), or a brioche bun.
SHOP THE RECIPE:
- Skillet – I like to use either stainless steel or cast iron for this, as they both give a great sear!
- Wooden plate – I love these for sandwiches!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1/3 green bell pepper, minced
- 1/2 large yellow onion, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 2/3 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar (or less, if you prefer)
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 3/4 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- dash of hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Heat butter and oil in large skillet over MED/MED-HIGH heat. Add beef and brown, breaking apart into crumbles as it cooks, about 5 minutes. Transfer to colander to drain.
- Add onion and bell pepper to same skillet and cook 2-3 minutes, until soft. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds or so, until fragrant. Add beef back to the skillet and add tomato paste. Stir well.
- Add ketchup, water, brown sugar, mustard, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, red pepper flakes (if using), and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Cook over MED heat for 10-15 minutes, until mixture has thickened to your liking. Remove from heat and serve over toasted buns.
Want to save this recipe for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own recipe box!
Chef Tips
- Cool the mixture completely, then add to freezer containers and freeze for up to 4 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.
Video
Nutrition Disclaimer
The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Denise Jackson says
Amanda thank you this took me back to momma make me this in the kitchen baby I will not be lazy and buy no more manwhich for real opening a can is easy it’s what’s in it for me and I get to control That part and I have been cooking a lot more .again I give you your flowers on this for real it was better than the can its about the Memories.
Shanena Howenstine says
Delicious!!💚💚💚
Rebekah says
Molto buona! I’ll be making this recipe from now on when I do sloppy Joe’s.
Angie Luck says
My husband claims this is the best Sloppy Joe he has ver had- and that’s a bold statement! We are now making another double batch. freezes well. Add in can of rinsed black beans for each lb of beef! Serve with extra veggies- steamed broccoli, etc. did not use or need the brown sugar!
Milli says
Amanda your recipes are the best of any other on the internet. Everything I have made of yours has been wonderful and are all saved on my Pinterest board. Your family is so lucky to have you.
Adele says
This is the best ever sloppy Joe recipe. Don’t change anything!!!
Maria says
Definitely the best sloppy joes ever
Red says
Made it and it is fantastic! 😋
Betty says
I have made this several times. My go to recipe for Sloppy Joes. The title says it all.
THE BEST HOMEPAGE SLOPPY JOES 😋 thank you The Chunky Chef for this recipe
Julie Richardson says
Best sloppy joe recipe I always use🩷
Alicia Laudermilk says
I just made this. I couldn’t stop eating in when assembling them on buns. 🤣
Ess Ess says
This had almost a bbq sauce flavor. Very tasty and a big hit at home! I love sloppy joes but manwich is frequently too vinegary for me.
Jana Shehan says
We loved it and our friends raved about how good the taste.
E Keith Tipton says
My wife has dear childhood memories of her Mom’s Sloppy Joes. After reading many recipes, I chose this one. It is a hit. Thanks and keep up the good work.
Nadine Parise says
I have not made this recipe, yet. I have always used a jar of Hormel’s Not So Sloppy Joe sauce. Does anyone have a recipe for something similar? They were a bit smoky and sweet, but thick. Any one?
Kathleen Bell says
I made these often. I will leave out the peppers sometimes because of my kids. This recipe is so easy and absolutely delicious!!😀
Vicki says
Made it, ate it then we immediately went back for seconds. This recipe was so delicious and oh so simple with standard ingredients that most folks would have on hand. Definitely saved this one and will be using it again and again. ❤️
Terra Pugh says
This recipe changed my mind on sloppy joes! So yummy!
JP says
I have made this several times. It is my go to when I am craving a Sloppy Joe. Great Recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Martha Opoien says
I’ve been using this recipe for a while now. My husband and I both love it! The only change I make is to leave out the brown sugar and if I’m lazy, I don’t toast the buns. Always fabulous!