This is hands down the best sloppy joes recipe. Not only does it have BIG flavor thanks to the homemade sauce, it's a minimal effort recipe – made in one pan and done in 35 minutes!
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Originally published in 2018, this is my very favorite sloppy joes recipe. A recipe that I've made time and time again – a true family favorite. If you haven't tried it yet, I bet it will be your new favorite too!
In the recent months this recipe has climbed its way to the top as one of the most-loved one pan recipes alongside three cheese baked ziti, lasagna soup and baked meatballs. Each recipe highly recommended.
These type of recipes are a game changer, especially after a long day with the hungry (hangry?) family wanting something to eat ASAP.
Why You'll Love These Sloppy Joes
- Satisfying and comforting all-in-one meal
- Minimal dishes – made in just one pan!
- 100% homemade
- Easy to make ahead or freeze
- Perfect for leftovers
Grab These Ingredients For Sloppy Joes
If you've never had sloppy joes you know there's layers of flavors, each key to providing that slightly sweet and savory combination.
- Ground Beef: This recipe works with either ground beef or ground turkey. I recommend 85-93% lean. If using less than 85% omit the olive oil and drain some of the fat prior to adding in the other ingredients.
- Onion: A little diced onion makes for a great flavor base.
- Red Bell Pepper: The red pepper adds a touch of sweetness. You can use any type of bell pepper – use what you have on hand.
- Tomato Paste: Tomato paste adds a deep tomato flavor without being too overpowering just like in vegetable soup.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire is key to adding a depth of flavor to the sauce.
- Vinegar: It seems odd to be adding vinegar but this helps balance out the flavors. You can use rice vinegar, red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar or white vinegar.
- Ketchup: Ketchup helps add a touch of sweetness.
- Mustard: Mustard, the classic yellow mustard, adds a bit of tang. You can also use brown or spicy mustard.
- Chicken Broth: Chicken broth is multi-purpose, it not only adds flavor, it also is key in making the sauce.
- BBQ Sauce: BBQ sauce adds another layer of flavor. You can use any kind you prefer – spicy, sweet, regular, it's up to you! If using a sweet BBQ sauce the sauce will be sweeter.
- Garlic, Paprika, Salt & Pepper: Key for flavor.
Overview: How To Make Sloppy Joes
The recipe below provides detailed steps but here's a quick overview.
- Sauté the Beef, Pepper & Onion: Sautéing these together in a large skillet starts the flavor base for the sloppy joes. Break apart the beef as it cooks – you want it in small pieces. The beef should be cooked through and the peppers and onions should be soft. Once cooked, stir in the spices.
- Add the Tomato Paste: Adding in the tomato paste helps give the sauce a deep tomato flavor.
- Stir in the Worcestershire Sauce, Vinegar, Ketchup, Mustard & BBQ Sauce: You want to make sure these are all well combined before adding in the chicken broth sauce.
- Stir in the Chicken Broth: Here's where the "sauce" texture is made. Once stir in the chicken broth, you want this to simmer to let all the flavors develop.
FAQ About Sloppy Joes
Manwich is the marketed store-bought pre-made sauce that is used to make sloppy joes. I recommend you make the sauce from scratch as it takes minimal effort and time, and takes so much better than anything you get in a can.
The definition of 'healthy' is different from one person to the next. This sloppy joes recipe can go either way based on how you see it – using ground turkey or a leaner cut along with substituting the bun can lighten this recipe up significantly.
his recipe has a specific set of ingredients for the ideal flavor combination. With that, let the sauce simmer and reduce to let the flavors further develop.
Store-bought, no idea. This recipe, yes!
Sloppy Joes Variations
This recipe enough se small family so we enjoy leftovers throughout the week. Whether it's tossing it over a baked sweet potato, by itself with avocado or tossed with spaghetti squash— it's fantastically versatile so it's hard to get bored of it.
- Meat: Ground beef works but you can lighten up the recipe by using ground turkey or an overall leaner meat.
- Serve: The instructions call for serving between a toasted brioche bun, while delicious, there are many ways you can serve this. Some of our favorites are over roasted sweet potatoes, in soft tortillas, or hard shell tacos.
- Toppings: Try adding a slaw, pickles or cheese. All are equally delicious.
These sloppy joes are so easy, so savory, so comforting and SO darn good! I promise, you will love this recipe!♥♥
The Best Sloppy Joes That I've Ever Had
Description
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound 85-90% lean ground beef
- ½ cup onion, diced (about ½ small onion)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons white or red vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon mustard
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce
- ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 4-5 brioche buns, toasted
- optional toppings: sliced cheddar cheese, pickles, pickled red onion
Instructions
- In a large skillet, like this one, over medium heat, heat the oil for 1 minute. Add the ground beef, peppers, and onions. Break apart the ground beef as it cooks— you want it in smaller pieces. Sauté the meat until browned and cooked through and the peppers/onions are soft, about 7-8 minutes. Then, stir in the garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in the tomato paste and allow it cook with the ground beef for 1 minute. Then, stir in the worchestershire sauce, vinegar, ketchup and mustard. Give it a big stir and let it cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the chicken broth and BBQ sauce and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Give it a taste and see if it needs additional salt and pepper.
- Serve warm on a toasted brioche bun. Leftovers stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions: This stays fresh for up to 1 week in the refrigerator. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and head as desired.
- Meat: You can use any fat % of ground beef. To make this healthier, you can use ground turkey.
- Chicken Broth: I find that using low-sodium chicken broth works best for this recipe.
Alli says
We LOVE this recipe so much and have made it a few times now! So easy to put together, and we usually keep all of these ingredients on hand anyway - which is always a plus. It's delicious!!!
David T says
Fabulous recipe. Make sure to use BBQ sauce you love because that flavor is prominent. I used 85% beef but will probably try the 93% as there was a little bit too much oil rendered out for my preference but that's an easy and subjective change - not a knock on the recipe at all.
Kelsi says
unfortunately I didn't have a bell pepper but I did dice up some celery very thin and added a few splashes of liquid smoke 👌🏻 I think next time I'll add some coleslaw on top 😋and definitely add the bell pep without the celery
Christina says
Hi Kelsi! I'm so glad you liked it even with not having bell pepper. My family loves sloppy joes with coleslaw (we do a vinegar slaw!)