Pin A classic American comfort food featuring savory ground beef in a sweet and tangy tomato sauce served on soft hamburger buns. Perfect for a nostalgic budget-friendly family dinner.
I first made these Sloppy Joes for my kids on a busy weeknight and they were instantly hooked. The sweet and tangy sauce brings back memories of my own childhood school cafeterias.
Ingredients
- Ground beef: 1 lb (450 g) 80/20 preferred
- Yellow onion: 1 medium finely chopped
- Green bell pepper: 1 medium finely chopped
- Garlic: 2 cloves minced
- Tomato sauce: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Tomato paste: 2 tbsp
- Ketchup: 2 tbsp
- Worcestershire sauce: 1 tbsp
- Yellow mustard: 1 tbsp
- Brown sugar: 1 tbsp
- Chili powder: 1 tsp
- Smoked paprika: ½ tsp
- Salt: ½ tsp
- Ground black pepper: ¼ tsp
- Hamburger buns: 4 split and lightly toasted
- Butter (optional): for toasting buns
Instructions
- Brown the beef:
- In a large skillet over medium heat add the ground beef. Cook breaking up with a spoon until browned and no longer pink about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté vegetables:
- Add the chopped onion bell pepper and garlic to the skillet. Sauté until vegetables are softened about 4 minutes.
- Add sauce ingredients:
- Stir in tomato sauce tomato paste ketchup Worcestershire sauce mustard brown sugar chili powder smoked paprika salt and pepper. Mix well to combine.
- Simmer:
- Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered stirring occasionally until sauce thickens about 8–10 minutes.
- Toast buns:
- While the mixture simmers toast the hamburger buns on a skillet or in the oven buttered if desired.
- Assemble and serve:
- Spoon the sloppy joe mixture generously onto the bottom half of each bun. Top with the other half and serve immediately.
Pin We enjoyed eating these together as a quick family dinner after soccer practice. It's always a treat when everyone asks for seconds!
Required Tools
Large skillet wooden spoon or spatula knife and cutting board measuring cups and spoons
Allergen Information
Contains wheat from buns and soy from Worcestershire sauce. Always check labels for allergy-sensitive ingredients.
Nutritional Information
Each serving contains approximately 430 calories 18 g total fat 40 g carbohydrates and 25 g protein.
Pin Serve these Sloppy Joes hot and saucy on toasted buns for an instant comfort food classic. Perfect for parties or weeknight dinners!
Recipe Questions
- → What meat is used for this dish?
Ground beef with an 80/20 fat ratio is preferred for rich flavor and texture.
- → Can the sauce be made spicier?
Yes, increasing chili powder or adding hot sauce will elevate the spiciness.
- → How should the buns be prepared?
Lightly butter and toast buns on a skillet or oven for added texture and flavor.
- → Are there alternatives to ground beef?
Ground turkey or plant-based meats can be substituted for a different protein.
- → How long can leftovers be stored?
Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days or freeze for 2 months while maintaining quality.