Sloppy Joes Recipe (With Video and Step-by-Step)

Prep Time:

15 mins

Cook Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

35 mins

Servings:

4

You won’t believe how easy it is to make this sloppy joe recipe. Our version gets its sweet-savory flavor from a simple mixture of sautéed vegetables, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup, rather than relying on a spice packet or a long list of condiments. The mixture simmers with a pound of ground beef for just a few minutes until it’s thickened, saucy, and ready to be spooned over toasted hamburger buns. Paired with oven fries, tater tots, or a side salad, it makes a hearty, nostalgic meal that is sure to please eaters of all ages.

Sloppy joe sandwich on a plate with a pickle on the side — Jason Donnelly

Tips for Making Homemade Sloppy Joes

Finely chop the vegetables: To ensure the onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic blend seamlessly into the beef mixture, it's important to chop them finely. This also helps them soften more quickly, speeding the recipe along. A sharp knife will make this task much easier, so reach for your best blade when prepping.

Use a large enough skillet: A 12-inch skillet is the right size for the job, giving the vegetables and beef space to cook without crowding. You can use a cast-iron, nonstick, or stainless skillet here with equally good results.

Don't skip the umami: A tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce lends savory depth to this simple recipe, countering the sweetness of the ketchup and acidity of the tomato sauce. We don't recommend leaving it out, but if you're in a pinch, swap in two teaspoons of soy sauce mixed with one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. It won't be a perfect substitute, but it will help balance the other flavors.

The Best Ground Beef for This Recipe

For the best taste and texture, use ground chuck, which contains about 20 percent fat and has a delicious, beefy flavor. If you can't find chuck, 80 percent lean ground beef will work just as well. You can use 85 percent lean beef with good results, but we don't recommend going much leaner than that.

Directions

Jason Donnelly

Cook vegetables:

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are softened, 5 to 7 minutes.

Jason Donnelly
Add ground beef and cook:

Add ground beef to skillet. Cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until it is no longer pink, 6 to 8 minutes.

Jason Donnelly
Mix in sauces:

Stir tomato sauce, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce into beef mixture in skillet. Simmer until thickened, stirring occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes.

Jason Donnelly
Spoon onto buns for serving:

Season the mixture with more salt and pepper, as desired. Spoon onto buns, and serve immediately.

Jason Donnelly

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

If you're cooking for just one or two and find yourself with some leftover sloppy joe mixture, you can refrigerate it for up to four days in an airtight container. It can also be frozen for up to three months, making an excellent heat-and-eat meal later.

Reheating

To reheat, transfer the mixture to a saucepan and heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until bubbling. If needed, add a splash of water to reach the desired consistency. Defrost the frozen sloppy joe meat in the refrigerator overnight, or thaw the container in a bowl of cold water until somewhat softened, then transfer it to a saucepan to heat through.

What to Serve With Sloppy Joes

There are so many ways to round out this meal. Crispy potatoes—like oven-fries or sweet potato fries—would certainly be welcome, as would these panko-crusted zucchini fries. A creamy, tangy side like coleslaw or potato salad would also make a fine accompaniment. To work a green vegetable into the mix, try these simple braised green beans or our sautéed baby broccoli.