The VERY BEST Homemade Sloppy Joe recipe is not only delicious, but it's quick and easy to make using real ingredients. Hundreds of rave reviews agree! Show
There aren't many dinners that you can get on the table faster than whipping up Sloppy Joes. And while the store-bought sauce that rhymes with San-wich might make this meal even quicker, it's got some less-than-ideal ingredients. After all, I tend to avoid high fructose corn syrup in my sweets, much less my dinner. So what's a Sloppy Joe-lovin' family to do? Why, put together your own quick and easy, all-natural sauce, of course! Once you make this amazing homemade Sloppy Joe recipe, y'all, you won't go back. IngredientsThis sloppy joe sauce only takes a couple of minutes to stir together, it tastes soooo much better (in fact, you get to control how sweet and/or salty you want it), and you don't have to worry about any unnecessary additives!
How to Make Sloppy JoesI shared my Slow Cooker Chicken Sloppy Joes awhile back, which feature this same sauce, but sometimes you don't have the forethought (or time) to toss something into the crockpot first thing in the morning. So if you still want an effortless, family-pleasing meal come 5 o'clock, make this tried-and-true Sloppy Joe recipe! I like to start out by mixing up my sauce and setting it aside so that it's ready to go once my meat is browned.
Easy-peasy! Optional AdditionsMy family likes our Sloppy Joes on the plain and simple side. However, if your family likes yours with onions and/or peppers, they're easy to add!
How Long to Simmer Your SauceThis Sloppy Joe recipe is flexible and turns out tasty whether you need to make it in a flash or you have extra time to allow it to simmer. At a minimum, you should let the mixture simmer long enough to heat through once you've stirred the sauce into the meat. I'd recommend 10 minutes of simmering, if possible. However, if you have the time, the flavors will really meld and develop if you allow your mixture to simmer for 30 to 45 minutes (or even longer). Just keep the heat low and stir occasionally to prevent sticking or burning. And if the sauce starts to get too thick, stir in a little bit of water to buy you more simmering time. One trick I sometimes use is to make this recipe on the stove and then transfer it to a slow cooker (set to WARM) just before I go pick up my kids from school. When it's time to eat that evening, dinner is already ready and the flavor is extra yummy...double win! Other Ideas for Serving Sloppy JoesEverybody knows that Sloppy Joe filling is scrumptious piled high on hamburger buns! But there are lots of other fantastic ways to enjoy it, whether you're wanting to put a new twist on a fresh batch or you're simply using up leftovers:
Have you tried any other creative ideas? There's a reason this Sloppy Joe recipe is one of the all-time most popular recipes on the site, folks. Kids adore it, but adults love it, too. It's so simple but oh-so-good. A side salad, some baked beans, and -- of course -- some thickly-sliced pickles on top of your Sloppy Joes, and...dinner is served! Helpful Tips, Tricks, & Equipment
More Easy (& Popular!) Ground Beef Recipes
Calories: 258kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 742mg | Potassium: 714mg | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 400IU | Vitamin C: 6.8mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 3.7mg Post originally published on January 13, 2015 (back when a certain two-year-old couldn't keep her little marker-stained mitts away long enough for me to snap a few pictures) and updated on November 2, 2017, January 5, 2021, and January 31, 2022. What can I substitute for ketchup in sloppy joes?Tomato paste (in a cooked dish)
The next best ketchup substitute is tomato paste. Add vinegar and/or honey or maple syrup using the quantities above if you have them on hand. You could also mix in a little Worcestershire sauce. Straight tomato paste is pretty bland, but it works in a pinch.
Can you substitute tomato sauce for ketchup in sloppy joes?Good tomato paste substitutes include fresh or canned tomato products such as crushed or stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, or even ketchup as long as you compensate for their differing moisture content. Each tomato product can be added at a different ratio and then further reduced to cook out the excess moisture.
What is Sloppy Joe sauce made of?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.
How do you get sloppy joes to stick together?Cornstarch. If all seems hopeless, thicken your sloppy joes with cornstarch. Depending on how much liquid is in the pot, start with a tablespoon and stir it in the liquid.
|