Ohhh Sloppy Joes—messy, saucy, nostalgic perfection 🥪🔥. Sweet, tangy, and beefy, just like the classic you remember (but better).
🥪 Classic Sloppy Joes
Serves 4–6
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped (optional but classic)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp tomato paste (optional, for richness)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1–2 tbsp brown sugar (to taste)
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- Hamburger buns
Instructions
- Cook the beef
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef.
- Drain excess grease.
- Add veggies
- Stir in onion, bell pepper, and garlic.
- Cook 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Make it sloppy
- Add ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire, mustard, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Stir well and bring to a simmer.
- Simmer
- Reduce heat to low and simmer 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick and saucy.
- Serve
- Spoon onto toasted hamburger buns.
- Grab napkins. Lots of them 😄
🔥 Sloppy Joe Tips
- Sweeter? Add a little more brown sugar.
- Tangier? Splash of vinegar or extra mustard.
- Thicker sauce: Simmer uncovered longer.
- Extra flavor: Add a dash of chili powder or smoked paprika.
Fun Variations
- Cheesy Sloppy Joes: Add melted cheddar or American cheese.
- BBQ Sloppy Joes: Swap half the ketchup for BBQ sauce.
- Turkey Sloppy Joes: Use ground turkey—still great.
- Open-faced: Serve over toast or baked potatoes.
If you want, I can give you a slow-cooker sloppy joe, school-lunch classic version, or a grown-up gourmet sloppy joe with caramelized onions and brioche buns 😏
