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Sloppy Joes Recipe sandwich on a toasted bun served with potato chips and a pickle spear

Sloppy Joes

The best recipe for homemade sloppy joes. Ground beef in a hearty tomato sauce on toasted hamburger buns. A family favorite that is perfect for lunch or dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 5 servings
Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 359
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce
  • 15 oz Tomato Sauce canned
  • 1/4 cup Ketchup
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 1/2 tsp Yellow Mustard or to taste
  • 2-3 tsp Brown Sugar or to taste
For the Sloppy Joes
  • 1 tbsp Extra Light Olive Oil or any high heat cooking oil
  • 1 lb Lean Ground Beef 85-90% lean
  • 1/2 tsp Fine Sea Salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper freshly ground, or to taste
  • 1 Small Onion finely chopped
  • 1/2 Small Green Bell Pepper seeded and finely diced or use 1/2 cup grated carrot
  • 3 Garlic Cloves minced
  • 5 Hamburger Buns toasted if desired

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet or Dutch Oven For browning beef and simmering sauce
  • 1 Medium Mixing Bowl For combining the sauce
  • 1 Spatula For breaking up the beef

Method
 

  1. Make the Sauce – In a medium bowl, combine the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and brown sugar, and set aside.
  2. Cook the Beef – Place a large skillet or dutch oven over medium high heat. Add olive oil and ground beef. Saute the beef for about 5 minutes until cooked through and no longer pink, breaking it up with a spatula. If you see extra fat on the bottom, tilt the pan and spoon it out or blot it up with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Add Vegetables – Stir in the diced peppers and onion. Cook another 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender and beef is browned. Add garlic and saute 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly.
  4. Add the Sauce – Add the sauce and bring to a light boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until thickened to your liking. Adjust the seasoning to taste and add water if you prefer a looser consistency. Serve on toasted buns for sloppy joe sandwiches.

Notes

Adding ketchup to the sauce adds more dimension, acidity, and sweetness. Add sugar to taste depending on the sweetness of your ketchup, starting with 2 teaspoons and adding more if needed. To adjust flavor: too sweet, add a pinch of salt or 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar; too tangy, add 1/2 tsp brown sugar or a drizzle of ketchup; too tomato forward, simmer an extra 5 minutes; missing depth, add extra Worcestershire; too loose, simmer uncovered a few extra minutes; too thick, add a splash of water. Refrigerate up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 to 3 months. Reheat on the stovetop for best results, or microwave covered.