This recipe for Quick and Easy Sloppy Joes is a far cry from the sad, goopy, school cafeteria sandwiches we all remember from our childhood. This version has a little something I like to call "flavor", and makes a meal that my whole family actually enjoys eating. Just be sure to serve them with enough napkins - things can get a little messy (but you and I both know that's half the fun!)
This recipe uses really simple, everyday ingredients and takes about 25 minutes to put together, making it a perfect dinner for busy weeknights. It's also incredibly easy to double in order to feed a hungry crowd. This recipe uses:
Components and Ingredients
The two main components of this recipe are the Sloppy Joe filling and the buns. Keep things simple with store-bought buns, or go the homemade route with my recipes for The Ultimate Homemade Hamburger Buns, Soft and Fluffy Potato Buns or Fluffy Brioche Buns!
Sloppy Joe Filling
- Butter
- 80/20 Ground Beef
- Green Bell Pepper
- Yellow Onion
- Garlic
- Tomato Paste
- Ketchup
- Water
- Worcestershire
- Hot Sauce
- Dark Brown Sugar
- Dry Mustard
- Chili Powder
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Black Pepper
- Kosher Salt
The main factor that sets this recipe apart from others is how thick the sauce gets after you simmer it. You almost cook the sauce down into a sticky-sweet glaze that coats the ground beef. The other crucial piece of this recipe is not draining off the drippings from the ground beef. This is an integral part of the layers of flavor and is perfect to sauté your vegetables in. Without it, you end up with a dry and crumbly filling that doesn't have as much flavor as it could have.
The Buns
Realistically, any soft and squishy hamburger bun will work for this recipe. HOWEVER...If you want to really knock these out of the park, you have to make your own buns. I've got you covered with a couple of easy bun recipes. Either use my recipe for The Ultimate Homemade Hamburger Buns, Soft and Fluffy Potato Buns, or Fluffy Brioche Buns and you'll be all set!
The potato buns are a classic, squishy, homemade version of store-bought hamburger buns, while the brioche buns are more on the rich/buttery side. My recipe for Ultimate Homemade Hamburger Buns is my ideal version of a classic burger bun, and it's hard to beat. It's up to you, but you seriously can't go wrong with either of these options. Any of these recipes can be made earlier in the day or even a day ahead of time if needed.
Serving Suggestions
My favorite way to serve these is to toast sliced buns in some butter, slather on a thin layer of mayo, and then pile the Sloppy Joe filling on until it's almost spilling off the bun. Plain potato chips and an ice-cold beer also tend to set these off.
A few other quick and easy side dishes that would be perfect to pair with them are my recipe for Caprese Pasta Salad with Olives or my family recipe for Crunchy Pepper Slaw. Both are bright and fresh-tasting, which would help balance some of the savory flavors in the Sloppy Joes. And you can't forget the Diner Inspired Macaroni and Cheese!
Did you make this recipe for Quick and Easy Sloppy Joes?
Let me know in the comments below how yours turned out, and don't forget to leave a rating!
Recipe
Quick and Easy Sloppy Joes
Equipment
- Large Skillet
Ingredients
Sloppy Joe Filling
- 2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 1 Lb. 80/20 Ground Beef
- ½ Green Bell Pepper Minced
- 1 Large Yellow Onion Minced
- 2 Cloves Garlic Minced
- 1 Tablespoon Dark Brown Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Dry Mustard
- 1 Teaspoon Chili Powder
- ¼ Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- ¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Tomato Paste
- ⅔ Cup Ketchup
- ¼ Cup Water
- 1 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ Teaspoon Hot Sauce
Sloppy Joe Assembly
- Sloppy Joe Filling From Above
- 8 Ultimate Homemade Hamburger Buns Split and Toasted, or Store-bought
- - or - 8 Soft and Fluffy Potato Buns
- - or - 8 Fluffy Brioche Buns
- Mayonnaise
- Quick Bread and Butter Pickles Optional
Instructions
Sloppy Joe Filling
- Heat a large, heavy bottom skillet over medium high heat and add butter to melt.
- Add ground beef, stirring frequently and breaking into chunks as it cooks. Cook for 5 - 8 minutes or until well browned. Remove meat from pan and reserve all of the ground beef drippings (do not discard any of the fat, it is important to use it to sauté the vegetables in the next step. Without it you will end up with dry and crumbly filling).
- Add onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook for 2 - 3 minutes until soft.
- Add garlic and cook for 30-seconds or until fragrant.
- Add the brown sugar, chili powder, dry mustard, red pepper flakes, black pepper, kosher salt, and stir until completely combined. Continue to cook for an additional minute or two to toast the spices.
- Add the tomato paste to the skillet, stirring to combine and sauté for 1 - 2 minutes until it starts to caramelize and stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Add the beef back to the skillet and stir.
- Add the ketchup, water, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce, stirring to incorporate. Bring sauce to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 - 15 minutes until thickened.
Sloppy Joe Assembly
- Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the bottom of the toasted buns. Optionally top with bread and butter pickle slices, followed by several tablespoons of the sloppy joe filling.
- Top with top bun and serve.
Anna says
I made this for my family of four and everyone loved it. The flavor was perfectly balanced with just the right mix of savory and sweet. Well worth the effort. The sauce had great consistency and went perfectly with toasted buns. Definitely a new family favorite. Five stars!
Brittany says
These are truly the best Sloppy Joes! I’ve tried so many other homemade recipes looking for the right one and I’ve finally found it. Best part is the kids loved it as well!
Spencer Klickman says
Awesome to hear! I'm so glad you guys enjoyed them!