This Sloppy Joes Recipe is rich, saucy, a little sweet, and piled high on golden buttered buns for the best straightforward family dinner.
author’s note
Grandpa’s Sloppy Joes Recipe!
Sloppy Joes have been a favorite of mine for as long as I can remember. My grandpa was the Sloppy Joe master—he’d whip up a huge batch for the whole extended family, and not a single bite ever went to waste. Those dinners were always the best.
He never measured anything, so I had to recreate the magic from memory. After a lot of trial and error, I finally nailed it.
These Sloppy Joes are everything I loved growing up—and now they’re one of my family’s favorite dinners too.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Swap or Tip |
|---|---|
| Ground beef | I use 93/7. Ground turkey also works. |
| Onion | Grate it on the large holes of a box grater so it melts right into the sauce. |
| Carrot & bell pepper | Use a food processor to finely chop these fast and make them nearly disappear. |
| Tomato paste | Let it cook with the beef for a few minutes to deepen the flavor. |
| Brown sugar | Some ketchup and tomato brands are sweeter than others, so add more or less to taste. |
| Red wine vinegar | skippable, but a small splash at the end wakes up all the flavors. |
| Brioche buns | Butter and toast them so they hold up to the saucy filling. |
Featured Comment
“Made as directed but put on top of crispy French fries. Was amazing‼”
– Roger
How To Make This Sloppy Joes Recipe
- Prep veggies: Grate the onion and finely chop or pulse the veggies.
- Cook veggies: Cook onion, garlic, carrots, and peppers until softened.
- Brown beef: Push veggies aside and cook the beef.
- Add tomato ingredients: mix in tomato paste and crushed tomatoes.
- Add sauce: Mix in ketchup, Worcestershire, bouillon, seasonings, and brown sugar.
- Simmer: Let everything bubble until thick and rich.
- Buns: Butter buns and toast until the edges turn golden. Pile high and serve.
chelsea’s recipe tip
How To Serve This Sloppy Joes Recipe
- Toasted buns: Toast the buns with butter so they hold up to the saucy meat.
- Slider buns: Same great flavor in a smaller size; reliable for parties!
- Lettuce wraps: A lighter option—wrap the filling in crisp romaine lettuce.
- Over baked potatoes: Spoon the meat over a baked potato for a hearty twist.
- On top of rice or mashed potatoes: Turns Sloppy Joes into a simple bowl meal.
Storage
- Fridge: Put the meat in a sealed container. It lasts 3–5 days.
- Freezer: Cool the meat, then freeze in a bag or container for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Warm this Sloppy Joes recipe on the stove or microwave, stirring until hot.
- Buns: Store them separately so they don’t get soggy. Toast right before eating.
Sides To Serve With Sloppy Joes Recipe
Appetizers
Elote Recipe
Salads
Greek Pasta Salad
Side Dishes
Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Salads
Italian Salad Recipe
