This bold Sloppy Joe recipe delivers big flavor with a spicy twist, easy to make with ground beef drenched in tangy, zesty Sloppy Joe sauce. This is the best sandwich around. So much better than straight from a can.
The Best Sloppy Joe Sandwich
We're making classic Sloppy Joes, my friends! Sloppy Joes are easy to make and hit all those spots that need comforting. And, when you make them like I do, you can spice them up as much as you'd like.
Sloppy Joes are an American classic, definitely a favorite. Better than the Cuban Sandwich? The Juicy Lucy Burger? This recipe will bring back pleasant childhood memories.
Featured Reader Comment
"Oh so much better than the can. I was never a Sloppy Joe person because of the taste of the canned stuff. However my husband loves SJ’s and frequently requests them. I compromised and found this recipe since you have never let me down with other recipes on your site. I am officially a SJ lover now. Thanks Mike for this winner." -- Cindy
What is a Sloppy Joe?
The classic Sloppy Joe is an American sandwich made with ground beef cooked in a seasoned tomato-based sauce with sweet and tangy notes.
I ate them a lot growing up. You'll often find it made from a can, with Manwich being a popular brand.
The problem with the canned stuff is it is often overly sweet or laden with sodium. Yikes!
When you make it at home, you can not only spice it up, but you can balance things out to your own preference. I, of course, like to make a spicy version.
I'm sure you'll love this as much as we do.
Let's talk about how to make Sloppy Joes (without needing to doctor up a can).
Sloppy Joe Ingredients
- Oil.
- Onion and Garlic.
- Peppers. Use bell pepper for a milder version, or use spicier peppers to heat things up. I love jalapeno or serrano peppers, or similar green peppers.
- Ground Beef.
- Brown Sugar.
- Mustard. I prefer spicy brown mustard, but Dijon is great, or use your favorite yellow mustard.
- Spices. Chili powder, salt and black pepper, and optional cayenne (or red pepper flakes) for a spicy version. You can use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic, if preferred, and onion powder.
- Tomato Sauce. You can also use ketchup, or a mixture of ketchup and tomato sauce.
- Apple Cider Vinegar.
- Toasted Buns. For serving.
How to Make Sloppy Joes - the Recipe Method
Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or large skillet to medium high heat and cook down the onion and peppers.
Add the garlic and cook another minute, then add the ground beef. Cook 5 minutes, until the beef is cooked through.
Drain excess fat if needed. If you're using 80-20 beef, you may have some excess fat. You can leave it in for flavor, but it will results in looser Sloppy Joe meat.
Add mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, chili powder, cayenne (if using), salt and pepper, and tomato sauce. And hot sauce!
This is your Sloppy Joe sauce.
Stir and simmer at least 5 minutes to bring the flavors together. You can simmer longer for thicker, more flavorful Sloppy Joe sauce.
I like to simmer for 20 minutes to let the the meat mixture thicken up and let the flavors meld.
Serving Time! Serve up your Sloppy Joe mixture on your favorite buns! Sloppy Joe sandwiches are the best. Everyone loves them.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- The Peppers and Heat Factor. I prefer a spicy pepper mix, from jalapenos up through serranos, maybe toss in a habanero, but you can use green bell pepper for a milder version. Try my Gochujang Sloppy Joes recipe - nice and spicy!
- The Meat. I'm using lean ground beef, but use ground turkey or ground chicken for a lower calorie version. Consider using a mix of ground beef and Mexican chorizo for a spicier version.
- Get Thick Buns. This recipe is a bit like a thick no-beans chili. Serve this up on thick buns. Hamburger buns are usually fine. Sloppy Joes can be SLOPPY. Toasting the buns also helps keep them from getting soggy.
Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes (Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe)
To make in a slow cooker or crockpot, cook down the beef, peppers, onion and garlic in a pan for 5 minutes to brown the meat, then transfer to a slow cooker.
Add the remaining ingredients and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 3-4 hours. Enjoy!
Serving Ideas for Sloppy Joe Sauce
Here are some other ways you can enjoy your Sloppy Joe Sauce:
- Sloppy Joe Pasta.
- Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese.
- Sloppy Joe Tacos. Top them with chopped tomato, roasted or pickled jalapenos, and shredded cheese!
- Sloppy Joe Hot Dog. Use it to top your favorite beef dog.
- Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese. Use the best melty cheese and nicely buttered bread.
Storage & Leftovers
Leftover Sloppy Joe sauce will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Simply reheat in a pot to enjoy it again.
You can also freeze it for 3 months or longer in freezer containers.
Try Some of My Other Popular Sandwich Recipes
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy my homemade sloppy joe recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Sloppy Joe Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 bell pepper chopped (use jalapeno or serrano for a spicier version)
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons mustard (I use spicy brown - or use Dijon)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cayenne powder (optional, for spicy)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup tomato sauce (or use ketchup)
- hot sauce to taste
- Buns for serving (toasted buns are best!)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot or pan to medium heat. Add onion and peppers and cook 5 minutes to soften.
- Add garlic and cook another minute, stirring.
- Add ground beef. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often, until the beef is cooked through. Drain excess fat if desired.
- Add mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, chili powder, cayenne (if using), salt and pepper, tomato sauce, and hot sauce to taste. Stir and simmer at least 5 minutes to bring the flavors together. If your sauce is too thin, cook a bit longer to thicken. You can easily simmer longer to let the flavors develop even more.
- Serve on your favorite buns!
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
NOTE: This recipe was updated on 4/8/25 to include new information and photos. It was originally published on 12/27/16.
Paul M says
This is an amazing recipe, so much better than the canned version I grew up with as a kid. I did make some modifications in order to get rid of some items in my freezer that have been there for a while, namely ground veal and some Hatch green chiles. I also made a double recipe in a large Dutch oven. Because of the large amount of ground meat, I chose to brown all of my meat first, mixing together the different types. I then removed the browned meat to a bowl and drained the liquid before moving onto the onions and green pepper. I let the onions cook first for a few minutes due to their high water content. Once I added the liquids, I tossed in the Hatch green chiles. The mixture was a bit too thin for my liking, so I also added about 1 Tbsp of tomato paste.
I gave away nearly all of this to friends, and it was an instant hit. It is incredibly easy to make and a great meal for a Sunday night.
Mike Hultquist says
Wonderful!! What a great gift, Paul! Glad everyone enjoyed it! Thanks so much.
Anne says
Wow was this soooo delicious! Best SJ I’ve ever had. Did make a few choices of ingredients: made own chile powder with ancho, cumin and mex oregano; habanero powder instead of cayenne; added chopped jalapeño with red bell pepper. Did ketchup instead of tomato sauce for a little sweetness and simmered for about 20-30 minutes to develop flavor. If my stomach could handle it, I would have eaten more than one sammy!
Mike Hultquist says
Boom!! Sounds like perfection to me, Anne! I love it! VERY happy you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing this.