Spoon Simple
Homemade Sloppy Joes
The ultimate homemade sloppy joes — much better than the can. Sweet, tangy, slightly smoky beef filling piled high on toasted buns. Ready in 25 minutes.
Prep 5 min
Cook 20 min
Total 25 min
Serves 6
Ingredients
Step 1 — Brown the beef
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- ½ cup onion (diced)
- ½ cup green bell pepper (diced)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
Step 2 — Make the sloppy joe sauce
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp salt
Step 3 — Serve
- 6 hamburger buns (toasted)
- Pickle slices (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Brown the beef
Cook ground beef, onion, and bell pepper in a large skillet over medium-high heat until beef is browned and vegetables are soft. Drain fat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
- 2
Make the sloppy joe sauce
Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire, mustard, vinegar, chili powder, and salt. Bring to a simmer. Cook 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens to your liking.
- 3
Serve
Pile the sloppy joe meat onto toasted buns. Add pickle slices if desired. Serve with chips or coleslaw.
Nutrition per serving: 440 cal · 28g protein · 42g carbs · 16g fat · 3g fiber
For informational purposes only. Not medical or dietary advice. Verify ingredients for allergens, cooking times, and safe internal temperatures before serving.
