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These Homemade Sloppy Joes are one of those dinner recipes I come back to again and again. They come together in under 30 minutes, use pantry staples, and the sweet, tangy homemade sloppy joe sauce tastes so much better than anything from a can.
Looking for more kid-friendly dinner recipes that even the adults appreciate? Pizza Meatloaf, Baked Chicken Tenders, Cheesy Chicken and Rice, and of course these Sloppy Joes are a few of my family's favorites.
Kristen's Keys for Homemade Sloppy Joes
When it comes to making sloppy joes, the sauce is king. With a few simple ingredients and pro-tips, you can EASILY make a sweet and tangy sloppy joe sauce that will make you permanently leave the can or jar on the shelf!
- Tomato paste is not optional. Tomato sauce helps to build a saucy base, but the tomato paste thickens the mixture and deepens the flavor.
- Balance is everything. The combo of vinegar and a touch of honey is what makes the sauce shine. The acidity cuts through the richness, while the sweetness smooths everything out. Skip one, and it just won't taste quite right.
- Simmer, even if you're short on time. A 10-minute simmer helps the sauce thicken and lets the flavors come together.
5-Star REader Review
The only sloppy joe recipe my son has ever liked.... and now he requests it all the time! Fantastic way to get some veggies in that I struggle to get him to eat otherwise. My husband always gives the thumbs up on this one too 🙂-Stevie B.
Notes on Ingredients
Use the following notes to help you make the best selection or substitution for the sloppy joe ingredients.
- Ground Meat: While classically made with ground beef, free to use ground chicken or ground turkey. Lean options work great here since the sauce adds plenty of moisture and flavor.
- Red Bell Pepper: A red pepper adds a subtle sweetness that balances the sauce. You can swap it out for a yellow or orange pepper, just don't be tempted to use a green bell pepper, which is a bit too bitter for this sauce.
- Jalapeño: Just a little wakes everything up. You can skip it if your crew prefers zero heat.
- Tomato Sauce + Paste: Sauce for consistency, paste for richness and thickness.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: For the tangy, brightness. Red wine vinegar is a good substitute.
- Honey: Rounds out the acidity. Feel free to swap it out for maple syrup, molasses, or brown sugar.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds that deep, savory flavor you can't quite put your finger on, but you'd miss if it wasn't there.
How to Make Sloppy Joes From Scratch
Cook the beef, add the sauce, simmer, and serve. Nearly as easy as opening a can or jar, but once you taste the homemade sauce, you won't go back. The flavor is infinitely better!
Step One: Sauté Meat with Veggies
Add the ground beef, minced onions, diced bell peppers, and minced jalapeño to a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until the beef is fully cooked through and the veggies have softened.
If there is excess grease, drain if off, then return the skillet to the heat.
Step Two: Build the Sauce & Simmer
Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, garlic, and salt and then bring that mixture a bubble.
Once the sauce begins to bubble, reduce the heat, stir in the vinegar, honey, and Worcestershire sauce, and then let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. We want the sauce to deepen in color and reduce so that it clings to the beef. That keeps the mixture from sliding right off the bun and prevents a truly sloppy sloppy joe.😉
And that's it! Your sloppy joe mixture is ready be piled on buns and devoured!
How to Serve Sloppy Joes
The classic route is always a win. Pile the mixture onto soft buns and add a slice of cheddar cheese. Paired with a side of homemade baked fries or air fryer fries, you have the ultimate family dinner.
Or get creative with one of the options below.
- Ditch the Bun: Serve over Instant Pot baked potatoes, Air Fryer baked potatoes, or Instant Pot sweet potatoes, topping with cheese as desired.
- Add Texture: Top sloppy joes with a scoop of homemade creamy coleslaw.
- Make a Casserole: Spread the sloppy joe mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish, top with cornbread batter, and bake just as you would tamale pie.
- Make Nachos: Top tortilla chips (or potato rounds like those featured in Irish nachos) with sloppy joe mixture and a generous amount of shredded cheese. Bake at 425°F until cheese has melted.
- Swap out Buns for Biscuits: Spoon sloppy joe mixture over homemade biscuits or sweet potato biscuits halves and serve just as you would sausage gravy.
Recipe Modifications
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce or swap it out for coconut aminos. Serve on gluten-free buns or over baked potato.
- Stretch Your Money: Replace 1 pound of ground beef with a 15-ounce can of pinto beans (drained & rinsed). The beans blend right in, add fiber, and reduces cost per serving.
- Meat-Free Option: Use my recipe for lentil sloppy joes or replace the ground meat with pinto beans. Saute the onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño in a bit of olive oil until softened. Add two 15-ounce can of pinto beans (drained & rinsed) and simmer as directed.
More Family-Friendly Ground Beef Recipes
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Homemade Sloppy Joes
Video
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef, or ground turkey or chicken
- 1 small yellow onion, minced
- ½ small jalapeno, seeded and minced
- 1 small red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons freshly minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
For Serving (optional)
- 8 buns
- 8 slices cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat a non-stick or cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Add the beef, minced onion, minced jalapeno, and diced bell pepper to the pan. Sauté, breaking the beef into bite-sized pieces, until the beef is fully browned and the veggies are softened. If needed, remove the pan from the heat, drain off any excess grease, then return the skillet to the stove.
- To the skillet, add 1 cup tomato sauce, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 teaspoons freshly minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt and stir well. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once bubbling, lower the heat to medium-low. Add in the 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey, and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce. Stir well and let simmer for 8-10 minutes just to warm through, thicken, and intensify in flavor.
- Serve on buns with cheese or as desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This recipe was inspired by Ellie Krieger's recipe and originally shared in 2017.
Followed the instructions exactly except substituted turkey meat, came out amazing! This one is a keeper, my entire family gobbled it up. I actually had none left over despite trying to make extra, thank you so much!
I love hearing when a family gobbles up a recipe 🙂
My son loves sloppy joes! I'm always trying to find new fun ways to change it up. I love that this has pinto beans in it, gives it a little something extra!
So sloppy yet so simple - perfect!! I love dishes like this that I know I won't have leftovers (I'm not a fan of leftovers)!
I am so glad you and your family enjoy this recipe!
Great recipe! I like the healthy twist on this classic.
Thanks so much!
Yum! These look so great!
Thank you Erin!
My mom used to make sloppy joes when I was a kid. I don't think I've had one in decades! Your recipe looks fantastic. I've never had it with beans. What a great addition!
You have to give this a try Christina!
Homemade sauce is so smart you can control what goes in there!
Exactly!