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Homemade Sloppy Joes
5 from 12 votes

Homemade Sloppy Joes

These Homemade Sloppy Joes feature ground beef cooked with finely chopped celery, onion, and garlic, combined with a tomato-based sauce enhanced by ketchup, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, mustard powder, Worcestershire sauce, and cider vinegar. The mixture simmers to a rich, thick consistency, balancing savory, sweet, and tangy flavors in a tender meat filling perfect for sandwiches.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 275 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbs vegetable oil
  • 2 celery chopped small, stalks
  • 1 onion chopped small, small
  • 1 Tbs garlic minced
  • 1 lb ground beef 80/20
  • 1 8 oz tomato sauce canned
  • ¼ Cup ketchup
  • ¼ Cup BBQ sauce
  • 1 Tbs brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder dry
  • 1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 Tbs cider vinegar
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large frying pan over medium heat, heat the oil until the surface is ripply and then add the celery and onion. Cook till the onion is translucent (about 2 minutes).
  2. Add the garlic and heat for another minute until the wonderful smell of garlic fills the air.
  3. Pull the ground beef into quarter sized pieces and brown the ground beef until just past pink. Break the ground beef up into the smallest pieces possible with a wooden spatula while cooking. If there is a lot of grease/fat in the pan, drain the fat off.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium low and add the tomato sauce, ketchup, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, mustard, worcestershire and vinegar. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Place a lid on the frying pan and reduce the heat to low. Allow to simmer and stir frequently. Simmer until the sloppy joes are the consistency that you prefer. The longer they cook the thicker they will get. If you want yours looser, add water by the ¼ cup at a time.

Notes

  • Cook ground beef just until no pink remains to keep it moist and flavorful.
  • Chop onions finely so they blend smoothly into the meat mixture for a uniform texture.
  • Use 1 teaspoon onion powder as a substitute if avoiding chunks of onion.
  • Adjust garlic quantity according to preference; this recipe accommodates more garlic for stronger flavor.
  • If cider vinegar is unavailable, white vinegar or lemon juice can be used instead.
  • Simmer covered and add water gradually if you prefer a looser consistency.

Nutrition Information

Calories 275kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 15g (5%) Protein 14g (28%) Fat 18g (28%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Cholesterol 54mg (18%) Sodium 517mg (22%) Potassium 453mg (10%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 11g (22%) Vitamin A 262IU (5%) Vitamin C 6mg (7%) Calcium 33mg (3%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 275

% Daily Value*

Calories 275kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 15g 5%
Protein 14g 28%
Fat 18g 28%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 54mg 18%
Sodium 517mg 22%
Potassium 453mg 10%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 11g 22%
Vitamin A 262IU 5%
Vitamin C 6mg 7%
Calcium 33mg 3%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.