This homemade sloppy joes recipe is fast and easy, made with just a few pantry and fridge staples. The sauce is mild, sweet, and slightly tangy. With a ketchup base, my simple recipe is sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
Sloppy joes are perfect for busy families who need a quick dinner option. Everything comes together in a single pan, with no special techniques required.
Please note that this recipe has a thicker sauce, which is just how we like it. If you prefer a looser, saucier, sloppier joe, try adding an additional 3 tablespoons ketchup and 1 teaspoon vinegar.
This easy sloppy joe recipe serves about 4, so if you have a large family (or teenagers!) you may want to double it.
A Weeknight Staple
Perfect for busy evenings, this easy weeknight dinner comes together in less than 20 minutes. In fact, that’s how this recipe was created. We came home from activities one evening with a pound of ground meat in the fridge and no dinner plan. I grabbed a handful of ingredients, and came up with (what quickly became) a new family favorite.
That was years ago, and it’s still a school-night staple dinner in our house.
Why We Love This Recipe
1. Fast and Easy
This recipe comes together quickly in just one pan. Once the meat is browned, add the remaining ingredients, stir, and let it simmer for few minutes. That’s it!
2. Make-Ahead Friendly
This recipe fits into a variety of schedules, with several make-ahead options:
- Prepare the sloppy joes ahead of time, and keep warm in a slow cooker. It will be ready when you are.
- Cook ground beef (or turkey) in advance and freeze in 1-pound portions. Cooked meat thaws quickly for weeknights when you didn’t have time to plan ahead.
- Make the sauce ahead of time, and refrigerate until ready to use.
3. Kid-Approved
With mild flavors, this sweet and savory recipe is sure to be a hit with a range of palates.
4. Versatile
Serve these sloppy joes on hamburger or slider buns, or mix it up! My kids love it in a quesadilla with shredded cheese or in a grilled cheese sandwich. I enjoy my sloppy joes open-faced on toasted bread with sauteed peppers and cottage cheese on top (seriously, so good).
Simple Recipes and Food Allergies
We don’t always plan meals ahead, so I like to have recipes that use simple, familiar ingredients. Our son also has food allergies, and making meals from scratch helps us know exactly what goes into them. This reduces the chance of cross-contact with allergens, which may be a concern with many pre-made sauces.
What You’ll Need
- Ground beef (or ground turkey) – the main ingredient, and the protein of the meal
- Diced onion (optional) – adds bulk and a natural sweetness, once cooked
- Ketchup – the base of the sauce
- Brown Sugar – adds sweetness (adjust to taste)
- Yellow Mustard or Dijon Mustard – for that classic “sloppy joe” flavor
- Apple Cider Vinegar – adds a little tang (white vinegar also works)
- Salt – enhances meat flavor,and balances sweetness
- Spices:
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
How to Make Sloppy Joes
This recipe comes together easily in a single pan. Jump to recipe for full recipe and instructions.
- If using onion, heat 1-2 tsp oil (olive oil, vegetable oil, or butter) over medium heat. Cook diced onions heat until softened and translucent.
- Add ground beef and cook, breaking up large chunks until no pink remains. Drain excess fat.
- Add the sauce ingredients and stir until well combined. Allow to simmer for a minute or two, or until slightly thickened.
- Serve on hamburger buns.
Easy Homemade Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1/2 cup diced onion (optional)
- 2/3 cup ketchup
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar (white vinegar also works)
- 1 1/2 tsp yellow mustard (or Dijon mustard)
- 1 Tbsp water
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt, to taste
- Hamburger buns, for serving
Instructions
- Cook onion (optional): heat 1–2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened.
- Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until no pink remains. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in ketchup, water, brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
- Allow to simmer for addition 1-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through and slightly thickened.
- Spoon onto hamburger buns and serve warm.
Notes
- Not that this is a thicker sauce. For a saucier, sloppier joe: Add extra 3 tablespoons ketchup + 1 teaspoon vinegar.
- Make ahead: Prepare and refrigerate up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
- To reheat: Warm on the stovetop or in a slow cooker on low.
- Serving ideas: Try on slider buns, in quesadillas, or as a grilled sandwich filling.
