This Easy Homemade Sloppy Joe recipe comes together in just 1 pan and 30 minutes. It’s sweet, smoky, savory, and perfectly saucy—everything you want in a family-friendly comfort meal. Toasted buns, rich tomato sauce, and seasoned ground beef make this a no-fuss dinner everyone loves.
Try serving it with my roasted parmesan potatoes, cucumber salad or healthy cabbage slaw for a complete and delicious meal!
Ingredients
- Tomato sauce – A 15 oz can forms the base of the sauce.
- Ketchup – Adds sweetness and tang. I recently started using it and it makes a big difference.
- Worcestershire sauce – Adds depth and umami. Don’t skip this one!
- Yellow mustard – Classic flavor with just the right zing.
- Brown sugar – Helps balance the acidity. Start with 2 teaspoon and adjust to taste.
- Tomato paste – I use Italian tomato paste in a tube for bold flavor.
- Smoked paprika – A little smokiness adds a lot of flavor.
- Olive oil – For sautéing the veggies. Any neutral oil works.
- Ground beef – I use 85%-90% lean for the best balance of flavor and texture.
- Sea salt & black pepper – Essential for seasoning.
- Garlic – Fresh minced garlic brings out the richness.
- Onion & green bell pepper – Finely chopped. These aromatics add great texture and flavor.
- Hamburger buns – Toasted is best! Brush with butter if you want to get fancy. For a healthier version, serve the sloppy joes with lettuce wraps or on top of sweet potatoes.
📋 You can find the full ingredient list in the Recipe Card below the article.
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How To Make Easy Sloppy Joes
- Preheat oven to 350°F if you want to toast the buns. Place them on a baking sheet, cut side up.
- Cook the veggies: Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Brown the beef: Add ground beef and cook for about 5 minutes, breaking it up until it’s no longer pink.
- Season: Stir in salt, pepper, paprika, and brown sugar.
- Make the sauce: Add tomato paste, Worcestershire, tomato sauce, ketchup, and mustard. Stir well and bring to a light boil.
- Simmer uncovered on low heat for 10–15 minutes until thickened to your liking. Add a splash of water if needed.
- Toast buns in the oven for 5 minutes or until golden. Brush with melted butter if desired.
- Serve the sloppy joe mixture warm on toasted buns. Enjoy!
Tips
- Taste as you go – Adjust sugar, mustard, or vinegar based on your preferences.
- Too sweet? Add a pinch of salt or a splash of vinegar.
- Too tangy? Add a little extra sugar or ketchup.
- Too tomato-y? Simmer longer to concentrate the flavors.
- Want more depth? Add a splash more Worcestershire sauce.
- Too loose? Simmer uncovered until thickened.
- Too thick? Add a splash of water.
- Make it spicy – Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
- Swap the meat – Try ground turkey or plant-based crumbles.
- Add cheese – Top your sloppy joe with cheddar or mozzarella.
- Make it a bowl – Skip the buns and serve over rice, quinoa, or baked potatoes
What To Serve With Easy Homemade Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes are classic comfort food, and here are my favorite sides to pair with them:
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Oven Roasted Potatoes
- Healthy Cabbage Salad
- Corn On The Cob
Freezing And Storing Instructions
- To Store. Keep sloppy joe mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To Freeze. Freeze the meat mixture for up to 3 months. Let cool before freezing.
- To Make Ahead. Make the meat mixture up to 3 days in advance. Store separately from buns.
- To Reheat. Warm on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until hot.
More Beef Recipes
- How To Cook Ground Beef
- Beef Stuffed Zucchini
- Cabbage, Beef and Rice Skillet
- Ground Beef and Quinoa Skillet
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Recipe Card
Easy Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe
Easy Homemade Sloppy Joes made with ground beef in a sweet and tangy sauce. Perfect for a quick, family-friendly meal in 30 minutes!
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INGREDIENTS
For the Sauce
- 15 ounces (1 can) tomato sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ teaspoon yellow mustard, or to taste
- 2-3 teaspoon brown sugar, or to taste*
- 2 teaspoon Tomato paste
- ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
For the Sloppy Joes
- 1 tablespoon extra light olive oil, or any high-heat cooking oil
- 1 pounds lean ground beef, 85%-90% lean
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, or to taste
- 3 teaspoon garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- ½ small green bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
- 5 hamburger buns, toasted if desired
- some melted butter to brush the tops of the buns, optional
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350°F if you want to toast the buns. Place them on a baking sheet, cut side up.
- Cook the veggies: Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper and cook for 5 minutes until softened.1 small onion, ½ small green bell pepper, 1 tablespoon extra light olive oil
- Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.3 teaspoon garlic
- Brown the beef: Add ground beef and cook for about 5 minutes, breaking it up until it’s no longer pink.1 pounds lean ground beef
- Season: Stir in salt, pepper, paprika, and brown sugar.¾ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 2-3 teaspoon brown sugar
- Make the sauce: Add tomato paste, Worcestershire, tomato sauce, ketchup, and mustard. Stir well and bring to a light boil.15 ounces (1 can) tomato sauce, ¼ cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoon Tomato paste, 1 ½ teaspoon yellow mustard
- Simmer uncovered on low heat for 10–15 minutes until thickened to your liking. Add a splash of water if needed.
- Toast buns in the oven for 5 minutes or until golden. Brush with melted butter if desired.some melted butter to brush the tops of the buns
- Serve the sloppy joe mixture warm on toasted buns. Enjoy!5 hamburger buns
ADD YOUR OWN PRIVATE NOTES
NUTRITION
Calories: 399kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 23gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 1117mgPotassium: 686mgFiber: 3gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 649IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 105mgIron: 5mg
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Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
Sloppy Joe Recipe: FAQs
Can I make this with ground turkey?
YES! Ground turkey or even lentils work great in place of beef.
How do I keep the sauce from getting too runny?
Simmer uncovered until thickened, or add a spoonful of tomato paste to thicken.
Are these freezer-friendly?
YES, the sloppy joe mixture freezes well for up to 3 months.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! It scales up easily for a crowd.
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