This easy Sloppy Joes recipe is the ultimate weeknight dinner. It’s savory, saucy, ready in under 30 minutes, and kid-approved.
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Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe
One bite of this sloppy joes recipe and you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with the canned stuff. It’s just as quick as popping a lid, and a thousand times tastier. There’s just no comparison.
This made-from-scratch version is hearty, saucy, full of bold flavor, and loaded with nostalgia. You’ll love how this recipe turns a simple dinner into pure comfort food that everyone loves. An easy meal never tasted so good.
Ingredients & Estimated Cost:
Here is everything you need to make this sloppy joes recipe, as well as a few substitution recommendations.
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil ($0.08) – Canola, Olive oil, or avocado oil will all work as an alternative.
- 1 large yellow onion ($0.98) – Use a white chopped onion for a slightly less sweet flavor.
- ¾ teaspoon salt ($0.01) – Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder ($0.19) – Adds a savory taste. Use two fresh garlic cloves as a substitute.
- ¾ teaspoon chili powder ($0.03) – Gives a smoky depth to the sauce. Taco seasoning will also work.
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef ($9.38) – Use ground turkey for a lighter option.
- 1 ½ teaspoons light brown sugar ($0.11) – You can use dark brown sugar instead of light.
- 10.75 oz canned tomato puree ($3.99) – Equal parts tomato paste and water will give a similar taste and texture to tomato puree.
- ½ cup ketchup ($0.24) – Adds a sweet and tangy flavor to the sauce.
- ⅓ cup water ($0) – Helps bring the sauce to the perfect consistency.
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce ($0.05) – Use soy sauce as an alternative.
- Black Pepper to taste ($0.01) – Gives a subtle heat to the dish. White pepper will also work.
- 6 hamburger buns ($1.08) – Any hardy bread, such as Brioche rolls, will work to hold the beef mixture.
The recipe cost is calculated based on the amounts needed and will vary depending on fluctuating grocery costs.
How To Make Sloppy Joes
- Add oil and heat over medium-high heat. Once the oil is simmering, reduce the heat to medium and add onions and salt and saute, often stirring, until onions are translucent and beginning to brown around the edges, about 6-10 minutes.
- Stir in garlic powder and chili powder and cook until fragrant.
- Add in the beef and use the back of a wooden spoon to break the meat apart. Cook until the meat is almost browned all the way through.
- Stir in brown sugar, tomato puree, ketchup, water, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer the mixture until the sauce has thickened, about 5-10 minutes.
- Season mixture with pepper. Serve on hamburger buns.
Recipe Tips
Toast the buns to prevent sogginess.
Sprinkle cheese right over the homemade sloppy joe sauce before spooning the meat mixture onto the buns for a delicious sloppy joe twist.
Add bell peppers for some extra flavor.
Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes for some additional spice.
Make the meat mixture ahead of time for busy nights and store it in the fridge for up to two days before you need it. Then reheat the mixture on the stove with a splash of water.
What sides go with Sloppy Joes
- Green Beans Almondine
- Mac and Cheese
- Chicken Pasta Salad *Pro-tip: Leave out the chicken when serving as a side dish
- Air Fryer French Fries
- a simple salad
- veggie sticks and ranch dressing
- potato chips
Best Sloppy Joes Recipe
Recipe Cost 16.15 Serving Cost 2.69Equipment
- cutting board
- chef knife
- large skillet
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large yellow onion chopped fine
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
- 1 ½ teaspoons light brown sugar
- 10.75 oz canned tomato puree
- ½ cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- black pepper to taste
- 6 hamburger buns toasted and buttered
Instructions
- In a large skillet add oil and heat over medium-high heat. Once the oil is simmering, reduce heat to medium and add onions and salt and saute, stirring often, until onions are translucent and beginning to brown around the edges, about 6-10 minutes.
- Stir in garlic powder and chili powder and cook until fragrant, about 20 seconds.
- Add in beef and use the back of a wooden spoon to break the meat apart. Cook until the meat is almost browned all the way through.
- Stir in brown sugar, tomato puree, ketchup, water, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer the mixture until the sauce has thickened, about 5-10 minutes. Season mixture with pepper. Serve on hamburger buns.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Ground Beef Sloppy Joes FAQs
If you use 90% lean beef, you will have less excess fat. But you can also drain any excess fat after browning the meat to keep the sauce rich but not oily.
If you need to thicken up the sauce, mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with one tablespoon of warm water in a small bowl. Use this ratio for every cup of sauce you need to thicken. Whisk the mixture slowly into the sloppy joe sauce until you reach the desired consistency.
My recipe calls for 1 ½ pounds of ground beef, which makes enough for six servings. To make 50 sandwiches, you would need to purchase 12 ½ pounds of meat.
The remaining ingredients for 50 sandwiches are as follows:
1 cup of vegetable oil
8 ½ large yellow onions, chopped fine
2 Tablespoons + 1 teaspoon salt
⅓ cup garlic powder
2 Tablespoons + 1 teaspoon chili powder
12 ½ pounds lean ground beef
black pepper to taste
¼ cup light brown sugar
3 (29 oz) cans tomato puree
4 cups + 2 Tablespoons ketchup
2 ¾ cups water
2 ¾ Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
50 hamburger buns
Amanda says
A delightful Homemade Sloppy Joes dish that’s now a staple in my kitchen.
Julie says
what can I substitute for the Worcester sauce? I love sloppy Joe’s but I have heart problems and need to watch my salt intake
this recipe sounds yummy
Jess Jankowski says
Hi we have not tested the recipe with anything other than Worcestershire sauce but you could try some BBQ sauce. Please note this will alter the overall taste of the Sloppy Joes.
Serena says
very good recipe! a hit with kids and adults
Jess Jankowski says
Thank you!!
Kim says
My husband & I really enjoyed this! I made it with Beyond Beef to make it vegetarian & since that’s only 1 lb I adjusted the spices & liquid ingred down a bit & it came out delicious. I did not have tomato puree so I looked up substitutes & used equal parts tomato paste & water. I was so happy to not use the canned Sloppy Joe sauce. Thanks for the great recipe!
Jess Jankowski says
We are thrilled you made these substitutions to make it your own and work for you. Thank you for your feedback!
Sarah says
My husband has few food dislikes and mustard is one of them. I have never found a homemade sloppy joe recipe without mustard until I happened upon yours! We are in love. Our entire family, including 3 littles, inhaled this entree. We will definitely make it again, thanks so much!!
Jess Jankowski says
Yay Sarah! We are so happy to hear this. Thank you for letting us know!
Lois says
PLEASE change the quantity listed for vegetable oil – of 8 cups under amounts needed for 50 sandwiches!!!! That would make this wonderful recipe a definite MESS!!!
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Lois, thank you for catching our typo. For 50 sandwiches you would need 16 Tablespoons of oil. I have corrected it. Thank you!
Rosemary says
This was one of my favorite childhood recipes and thank you for the wonderful memories. I haven’t made sloppy joe’s in a while and now I will 🙂 I really like how you have detailed age-approriate steps for kids. I don’t have kids, but I’m sending this recipe to my sister. Cheers
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Rosemary, thanks for stopping by and sharing our recipe with your sister!
kerri says
sloppy joes are on of our guilty pleasures! excited to try this!
Jess Jankowski says
Kerri, sloppy joes are an excellent guilty pleasure! Enjoy!
Genevieve | Fitty Foodlicious says
Sloppy Joes are such an easy recipe to make and I always forget about them as a recipe option. Making these for dinner soon!
Jess Jankowski says
Genevieve, we agree! It is such an easy and tasty recipe!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
Now you have got me craving Sloppy Joes – it is such a fab and delicious dinner that my family always enjoys. Will be giving yours a go for sure.
Jess Jankowski says
It’s a good thing to crave! Let us know how it turns out!
Gloria says
I cannot remember the last time I had sloppy joes. It was always a hit with the family. I think I have everything I need to make this for dinner tonight.
Jess Jankowski says
This is awesome Gloria. Be sure to let us know how it goes!
Jordan says
Yum! Sloppy Joe’s used to be one of my favorite meals as a kid but I haven’t had one in a long time. Thanks for the recipe!
Jess Jankowski says
It’s such a classic recipe that all ages enjoy!
Christa says
A yummy meal that the kids will love and is also budget friendly? Sounds great!
Jess Jankowski says
It’s a win-win for sure!
Marta says
I love that you’ve included a guide on getting the munchkins in on the cooking fun! We need more of this.
Jess Jankowski says
Thank you Marta! We are strong believers of getting the kids involved, even if it does take a little longer and make a little bit more of a mess!