Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe (The Best Sloppy Joes Ever!)
This classic sloppy joes recipe is easy to make with ground beef and a tangy, zesty tomato-based sauce that brings the perfect balance of flavor, the best!
Servings: 4
Calories: 420kcal
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)
- Buns for serving (toasted buns are best!)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or large pot 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, and tomato sauce. 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!
Notes
Sub in ground turkey instead of ground beef for a lighter version - add Mexican chorizo for a spicy version.
Nutrition
Calories: 420kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 597mg | Potassium: 753mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 2323IU | Vitamin C: 47mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 4mg