- Measurements grams + cups
- Cuisine American
Why You'll Like This Recipe
- Made from scratch with pantry staples rather than a can of sauce mix.
- The sweetness is yours to set — taste and adjust before it goes on the buns.
- Freezes well, so a double batch gives you a second dinner.
Recipe
Easy Sloppy Joes
Saucy sweet-savoury beef piled onto toasted buns.
Ingredients
Ingredients scaled. The method below still refers to the original quantities.
Instructions
- Step 1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper.
- Step 2. Cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking the beef apart, until browned and the vegetables are softened.
- Step 3. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Step 4. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Step 5. Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and black pepper.
- Step 6. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 7. Taste and adjust the sweetness or seasoning if needed.
- Step 8. Spoon the mixture onto toasted hamburger buns and serve warm.
Notes
- Simmer uncovered for the full 10 to 12 minutes. That is where the sauce thickens enough to sit on a bun rather than soaking straight through it.
- Toast the buns. It takes two minutes and it is the difference between a sandwich and a wet bun.
- Dice the onion and pepper small. Large pieces make the filling hard to keep on the bread.
Easy Sloppy Joes — Simple Table Recipes · https://simpletablerecipes.com/recipes/easy-sloppy-joes/
Ingredient Notes
- Worcestershire sauce
- The ingredient doing the most work. It brings the savoury depth that stops the mixture tasting like sweetened ketchup. Do not leave it out.
- Brown sugar
- Fifteen grams is a starting point rather than a rule. Ketchups vary a lot in sweetness — taste at the end and adjust.
- Tomato sauce and ketchup together
- The tomato sauce gives body, the ketchup gives tang and sweetness. Using only one or the other gives either a flat or an overly sweet result.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups/spoons
- Toaster or skillet for buns, optional
Substitutions
- Ground beef
- Ground turkey or chicken work — they are leaner, so add a splash of oil to the pan. Lentils make a good vegetarian version, using vegetable broth in place of the meat juices.
- Worcestershire sauce
- Soy sauce or coconut aminos give a similar savoury depth if you need it vegetarian or gluten-free.
- Hamburger buns
- Brioche buns hold up especially well. Baked potatoes, rice or a jacket potato all work if you would rather skip the bread.
Storage & Freezing
Storing: Refrigerate the filling for up to 4 days. It is arguably better on day two, once the flavours have settled.
Freezing: Freeze the cooled filling for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in a pan with a splash of water.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you thicken sloppy joes?
Simmer uncovered for longer. Ten to twelve minutes is usually enough, and the sauce should be thick enough to mound on a spoon. A tablespoon of tomato paste thickens it faster if you are short of time.
Why are my sloppy joes too sweet?
Ketchups vary a great deal in sugar. Cut the brown sugar, add a splash of vinegar or a little more Worcestershire, and taste again. It is easier to add sweetness at the end than to remove it.
Can I make sloppy joes ahead of time?
Yes, and they improve. Make the filling up to four days ahead and reheat gently. It is a good candidate for freezing too.
How do I stop the bun going soggy?
Toast the cut sides, and let the filling thicken properly before it goes on. A thin, watery filling will soak through anything.
Can I make sloppy joes in a slow cooker?
Brown the beef and vegetables first, then transfer everything to the slow cooker on low for 3 to 4 hours. Leave the lid slightly ajar for the last half hour so it can reduce.
What do you serve with sloppy joes?
Crisps, pickles, coleslaw, oven fries or a simple green salad. Something sharp or crunchy balances the sweetness well.
Did you make this?
Let other people know how it went. One tap, nothing to fill in.
Thanks — that helps.
