Homemade Sloppy Joes

This homemade sloppy joe recipe brings back the simple, messy dinner I remember eating as a kid. With flavorful ground beef, peppers, onions, and a rich tomato sauce that is sweet, tangy, and just a little smoky.

Sloppy joes are one of those family dinners that never really gets old. They are easy to make, use simple ingredients, and always feel like a fun meal.

I made these with poblano peppers from the garden, but a regular green bell pepper works perfectly. The sauce has just the right mix of tangy, sweet, and smoky flavor, and it comes together quickly in one skillet.

Serve them on toasted buns with pickles for a simple dinner everyone can pile onto their plate.

Main Ingredients and Swaps

• Ground beef: I use 2 pounds so there is plenty for a family dinner and leftovers.
• Green pepper: A green bell pepper gives the most classic flavor, but poblano peppers also work really well.
• Crushed tomatoes: Tomato sauce can be used instead for a smoother filling. I like to turn my home canned crushed tomatoes into tomato sauce by adding a few seasoning and blending with an immersion blender.
• Brown sugar: Start with 1 tablespoon, then add more if you like a sweeter sloppy joe.

How I Make It

I start by browning the ground beef with the diced onion and pepper. Once the beef is mostly cooked, I add the garlic and let it cook for another minute.

Next, I stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, brown sugar, smoked paprika, and salt. Let everything simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.

Keep the heat low once the sloppy joes are finished so the filling stays warm without drying out.

Serving Ideas

• Serve the sloppy joe filling on soft buns with pickles, try my Sourdough Brioche Burger Buns with Fresh Milled Flour if you have the time!
• For the best texture, spread a little butter on the cut sides of the buns and toast them in a skillet before adding the meat. This helps keep the sauce from soaking into the bread too quickly.
• Watermelon, chips, green beans, or a simple salad all make easy sides.

Tips and Storage

• Let the filling simmer until it is thick and saucy.
• Toast the buns so they hold up better under the filling.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• The filling also freezes well for an easy dinner later.

Watch my YouTube video below to see how I make these homemade sloppy joes, along with several other family dinners from one grocery trip.

Homemade Sloppy Joes

This homemade sloppy joe recipe brings back the kind of simple, messy dinner I remember eating as a kid, with tender ground beef, peppers, onions, and a rich tomato sauce that is sweet, tangy, and just a little smoky.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 6 -8

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Video Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 onion diced
• 1 green pepper diced
• 6 cloves garlic minced
• 1½ cups crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 to 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Buns and pickles for serving (https://christinesnotebook.com/sourdough-brioche-burger-buns/)

Notes

 

• Butter and toast the buns before serving so they hold up better under the sauce.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Method

 

1. Add the ground beef, onion, and green pepper to a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Cook until the beef is browned and the vegetables begin to soften, breaking the meat apart as it cooks. Drain any excess grease if needed.
3. Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute.
4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, brown sugar, smoked paprika, and salt.
5. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thick and coats the beef.
6. Taste and add the second tablespoon of brown sugar if you prefer a sweeter sloppy joe.
7. Serve warm on toasted buns with pickles.

Video

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