Step away from the canned sauce and give these homemade sloppy joes a try! They’re truly the best version of a childhood favorite!
As we head into the upcoming holiday season, I’ve been thinking about family-friendly meals. You know, those meals that your kids always want to eat. In our house, this Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese is number one on our list… with these sloppy joes being number 2! With two little ones myself, I know ALL too well how frustrating it is to cook a meal and have them promptly turn up their noses and say it’s “gross”. *facepalm*
I’ve always been a fan of classic sloppy joes. There’s something so innately satisfying about the sweet and savory combination and messiness of it all! And I know you all love them too, since I’ve been getting a lot of requests for sloppy joe recipes.
I’ve made a LOT of sloppy joe recipes lately, trying to come up with the perfect one. Some were too sweet, others too spicy. Well guys, I finally got it. The perfect balance. This sloppy joe recipe is sweet, tangy, zesty and savory, with the perfect texture and consistency.
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE SLOPPY JOES
Homemade sloppy joes are incredibly easy to make, and come together in one skillet in about 20 minutes or so. Browned beef is mixed with onion and green pepper and simmered in a sweetened tomato/ketchup sauce. The secret is in finding the right seasoning for the sauce!
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MANWICH AND SLOPPY JOES?
Technically Manwich is a pre-made sauce that’s used to make sloppy joes. I’m not sure exactly what’s in it, and have never tried it myself, so I can’t say that my recipe tastes similar or not. Manwich is marketed as a easy way to make sloppy joes… but in reality, homemade sloppy joes are JUST as easy to make!
HOW DID SLOPPY JOES GET THEIR NAME?
From what I can glean from the good ol’ internet, a cook named Joe in a cafe in Sioux City, Iowa added a tomato sauce to a loose meat sandwich. It must have been a favorite and took off!
WHAT CAN I DO WITH SLOPPY JOE MEAT?
Number one, slap some on a toasted bun!! After that, here are some of my favorite things to do:
- Spoon some over some crispy waffle fries. Bonus points if you also melt some cheese over the fries before adding the sloppy joe meat!
- Add some to a grilled cheese.
- Roll up in crescent roll dough and bake at 375 F degrees for about 12-15 minutes. Cheese makes a great addition to these as well!
- Add some on top of a burger.
CAN YOU MAKE SLOPPY JOES IN A CROCKPOT?
You can! Just brown the beef and add all the remaining ingredients (no buns though), and cook on LOW for about 4-6 hours, or HIGH for 2-3 hours. This will have a softer texture than skillet sloppy joes though.
PRO TIPS FOR MAKING HOMEMADE SLOPPY JOES:
- Before you get started, toast your buns. Toasting the bun makes ALL the difference, and only takes a few minutes. Crank up the heat under the skillet to high, and add a drizzle of vegetable oil. When the oil is hot, add the buns, then place the buns cut side up on a cooling rack after they’re toasted.
- Watch the sauce so that it doesn’t reduce too much. When too much of the sauce reduces, it gives you a dry sloppy joe mixture. Everyone likes theirs a little differently, but for me, I cook it down so that I can see the bits of meat, and when I drag my spoon through the sauce, it leaves a trail where the sauce is parted. If the sauce immediately flows back into that trail, it’s too liquid-y. I want a few seconds before the sauce covers the trail, which gives me a saucy consistency that’s not too liquid.
- Choose your favorite type of bun. I usually go for either a pretzel bun (like I did in these Beer and Chorizo Sloppy Joes!), or a brioche bun.
SHOP THE RECIPE:
- Skillet – I like to use either stainless steel or cast iron for this, as they both give a great sear!
- Wooden plate – I love these for sandwiches!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1/3 green bell pepper, minced
- 1/2 large yellow onion, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 2/3 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar (or less, if you prefer)
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 3/4 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- dash of hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Heat butter and oil in large skillet over MED/MED-HIGH heat. Add beef and brown, breaking apart into crumbles as it cooks, about 5 minutes. Transfer to colander to drain.
- Add onion and bell pepper to same skillet and cook 2-3 minutes, until soft. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds or so, until fragrant. Add beef back to the skillet and add tomato paste. Stir well.
- Add ketchup, water, brown sugar, mustard, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, red pepper flakes (if using), and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Cook over MED heat for 10-15 minutes, until mixture has thickened to your liking. Remove from heat and serve over toasted buns.
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Chef Tips
- Cool the mixture completely, then add to freezer containers and freeze for up to 4 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.
Video
Nutrition Disclaimer
The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Jane says
Omitted the sugar, but followed the rest of the recipe. Added chili flakes and hot sauce. Was delicious. Thanks.
susan sann says
super good! my granddaughter and her friend said they had never had it and REALLY liked it! Said i could make it again
Brenda says
Just made for dinner, was looking for something different to make with Hamburger and this is what I decided to make. Turned out really good and looking forward to making them again in a crockpot on a lazy Sunday.
Thank’s for sharing.
gus says
Don’t tell my mom, but these might be the best sloppy joes I’ve ever eaten. My only change was to double the recipe. Thanks
Sarah says
I’ve always used Manwich. I’ve tried other sloppy Joe’s recipes and found them lacking!
This was great! I used ground turkey. Also I used 3 T tomato sauce because I didn’t have any paste.
They were still delicious!
Thanks!
Janice Scherman says
Oh my goodness!! I am still savoring my first one. By far and away the best sloppy Joe recipe I have ever made! 5 Stars!!
Carla says
I planned to have an easy Saturday dinner of sloppy joes only to discover no Manwich in the pantry. So happy I found this recipe. It is fantastic. No more ready made sauce for us. Delicious.
Renee Colwell says
I have meat eaters and vegetarians to cook for. This recipe made for an easy meal to please both. I’m used to customizing recipes that can be made for either. I made 2x the basic ‘sauce’ ingredients, then cooked 1lb of ground beef and 1lb of plant-based Impossiburger ground. Once those were browned I poured half of the sauce into each pan. It was a great dinner for all. Served on ‘everything bagel’ buns for even more flavor.
Amanda says
Sooooo good. I tripled the recipe and used 1 lb ground beef, 1 lb ground chicken and 1 can of lentils (drained & rinsed). I also did it in the slow cooked as I had running around to do. Just browned the meat and tossed everything together. Low for 4-6 hrs just like she said. Will definitely be making this again.
Deb says
Reminds me of my Mom’s recipe! May be a little bit better but we won’t tell… Never had Manwich because this is so much better. I don’t add the brown sugar but Mom always did. Thanks!
Katie Walker says
Absolutely perfect sloppy joes! We double the recipe for my family of six (including three big strapping teenage boys) and still lick the pan clean!
Miriam says
I’m not a big Sloppy Joe fan but a friend requested that I make them some Sloppy Joes. Since I’m not a fan of pre-made, canned sauces, I looked up this recipe. I have to admit that it was delicious and my friend said it was the best he had ever had. Thanks for sharing your delicious recipe. I look forward to trying more of your recipes.
Fatima says
Soo delicious I didn’t have ketchup or tomatoes paste so I used cherry tomatoes still turned out perfect and my fiance loved that dash out hot sauce
Kathy says
I’m a convert! These were so good we had them for lunch AND dinner.
Michele Butson says
WILL NEVER USE MANWHICH AGAIN!
Absolutely delicious! Husband approved. Simple ingredients that are usually on hand. No cans taking up pantry space! Win win in our book! Just need to know one thing. Are you able to can the sauce?
The Chunky Chef says
I’m so happy to hear that you loved the sloppy joes! Unfortunately I don’t have enough experience in canning to safely advise you if this sauce could be canned… perhaps another reader can chime in with some help 🙂
Diane says
Very good!
Karen H says
Fantastic and super easy to make ……Even when your on the phone with someone crying.
Lisa says
Excellent! My family loved it❣️
Alexis says
Best sloppy joe’s ever. Won’t make them any other way.
Mari W. says
Excellent!