Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe (Easy!)
User Reviews
5
Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe (Easy!)
Description
The Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe (Easy!) features ground beef cooked with yellow onion, bell pepper, and garlic to create a savory base. The sauce combines tomato sauce, ketchup, tomato paste, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and spices such as smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, and red pepper flakes. This blend creates a warm, tangy, and slightly sweet profile with a bit of smoky aroma. The beef is browned to develop some crust before mixing in the vegetables and sauce, then simmered to thicken the mixture while keeping it saucy enough for sandwich filling.
The resulting texture is hearty with tender bits of vegetables adding subtle sweetness and softness to the ground meat. The sauce coats the beef thoroughly, making it ideal for serving on buns. Optional toppings like cheese and pickles can add creaminess and a bright contrast to the rich filling.
This recipe works well for casual dinners or gatherings and can be customized using ground turkey, chicken, or bison for a leaner option. The mixture stores well in the refrigerator for several days and freezes effectively for longer keeping. It can also be made using slow cookers or Instant Pots to streamline cooking.
Preparation steps include searing beef for flavor depth, layering seasonings carefully, and simmering to reach the desired consistency. Using fresh vegetables helps maintain a delicate texture in the filling.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef 85/15 or higher, lean
- 1/2 yellow onion diced
- 1/2 bell pepper chopped, red, yellow, orange, or green
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup beef broth or water
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin ground
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the ground beef, breaking it up into large chunks, but leaving it alone otherwise for a minute or two to sear on the bottom. Once the ground beef has started to develop a crust on the bottom, continue to break it up and cook until browned through. Drain off excess grease, if necessary.
- Add the onion, chopped bell pepper, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, then cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened.
- Add tomato sauce, beef broth or water, ketchup, tomato paste, mustard, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and red pepper flakes. Mix until combined.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened but saucy.
- Serve on your favorite buns. A slice of cheese and pickles on top are optional, but delicious!
Notes
- Substitute ground turkey, chicken, or bison for a leaner alternative to beef.
- To use a slow cooker, brown the meat and sauté the vegetables first, then cook with sauce ingredients on low for 2 hours.
- In an Instant Pot, brown meat and sauté vegetables using sauté mode, add sauce, seal lid, cook on high pressure for 5 minutes, then quick release and simmer if needed to thicken.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Freeze cooled leftovers in a ziplock bag for up to 3 months; thaw overnight before reheating with a splash of water if needed.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 390 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 390kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 16g | 5% |
| Protein | 21g | 42% |
| Fat | 27g | 42% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 81mg | 27% |
| Sodium | 1065mg | 44% |
| Potassium | 540mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 12g | 24% |
| Vitamin A | 872IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 23mg | 26% |
| Calcium | 48mg | 5% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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