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5.0 from 51 votes

Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe (Easy!)

Our easy Homemade Sloppy Joes are made from scratch in under 30 minutes for satisfying, saucy dinner sandwiches that the whole family loves! Pile the meat on your favorite soft buns and get ready to get messy with this classic comfort food!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 390 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (85/15 or higher)
  • 1/2 yellow onion diced
  • 1/2 red, yellow, orange, or green bell pepper chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 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 ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. Add the onion, chopped bell pepper, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, then cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened.
  3. 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.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened but saucy.
  5. Serve on your favorite buns. A slice of cheese and pickles on top are optional, but delicious!

Notes

  • Healthier version: These could also be made with ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground bison for a healthier option. 
  • Slow cooker Sloppy Joes: Brown meat, onions, and peppers, then add sauce ingredients and spices and cook for 2 hours on low.
  • Instant pot Sloppy Joes: Brown the meat and sauté the onions and peppers in the Instant Pot using the sauté feature just as you would on the stove. Then add all of the sauce ingredients and spices and close and secure the lid. Make sure the valve is set to "seal" and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes, followed by a quick release. If your sauce is still too thin, turn the instant pot back onto sauté mode and simmer for a few minutes until it thickens to your liking.
  • Storage: You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
  • Freezing: This meat freezes well. Let it cool first than transfer to ziploc bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a little water to thin it out, if needed.
  • The nutrition facts are calculated without the bun.

Nutrition Information

Calories 390kcal (20%) Carbohydrates 16g (5%) Protein 21g (42%) Fat 27g (42%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 13g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 81mg (27%) Sodium 1065mg (44%) Potassium 540mg (15%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 12g (24%) Vitamin A 872IU (17%) Vitamin C 23mg (26%) Calcium 48mg (5%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 390

% 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.