Best Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Meat & Vegetables
01 -
1 pound ground beef (80% lean)
02 -
1 small onion, finely chopped
03 -
1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped (optional)
04 -
2 garlic cloves, minced
→ Sauce Ingredients
05 -
3/4 cup ketchup
06 -
1/4 cup tomato paste
07 -
1/4 cup water
08 -
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
09 -
2 tablespoons brown sugar
10 -
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
11 -
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
12 -
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 -
1/4 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
14 -
Salt and pepper to taste
→ For Serving
15 -
4 hamburger buns, toasted
16 -
Shredded cheese, pickles, or coleslaw for topping (optional)
# Instructions:
01 -
Get your skillet nice and hot over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Break it up with your spoon as it cooks. When it's about halfway done, toss in your chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Keep cooking until the beef is browned and veggies are soft, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any extra grease if you need to.
02 -
Turn the heat down to medium and add all your sauce ingredients - ketchup, tomato paste, water, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, paprika, and chili powder if you're using it. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, then stir everything together until the beef is coated in that tasty sauce.
03 -
Turn the heat to low and let everything bubble gently for 10-15 minutes. Give it a stir now and then. You'll know it's ready when the sauce has thickened up and all the flavors have come together. Give it a taste and add more seasoning if needed.
04 -
Pile that hot, saucy meat mixture onto your toasted buns. Top with cheese, pickles, or coleslaw if you like, and dig in while it's hot!
# Notes:
01 -
You can make the filling ahead and reheat it when you're ready to serve.
02 -
For a lighter version, try using ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.