This Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe is so easy and delicious! Cooked ground beef in a simple sweet and tangy sauce, served on a toasted bun with your favorite toppings! Yields 6 to 8 depending on how sloppy you like your joes to be.

Truth be told, I’ve never had canned sloppy joe filling.

I grew up on homemade sloppy joes and so I know no other way other than to make them at home. It might not be as easy as opening a can but it’s definitely simple to pull together, tastes infinitely better and is just as sloppy, if not more so.

My husband and I like ours with melty cheese and pickles (and him raw jalapeños) while our girls only request is that the bun is toasted.

As for what to serve with sloppy joes, I’ve listed quite a few options near the end of the post.

To Make This Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe You Will Need:

  • olive oil – Or use avocado oil.
  • lean ground beef – I use either 90/10, 92/8 or 96/4 lean ground beef but you can use what you like.
  • ketchup – Use homemade or store-bought.
  • water – Helps thin the sauce to the perfect consistency.
  • vinegar – Lends subtle tang to this recipe.
  • mustard – Adds a tart and tangy flavor.
  • sugar – Adds sweetness and balances the acidity.
  • kosher salt – Enhances the flavors in this recipe.
  • freshly ground black pepper – This adds subtle bite and flavor.
  • paprika – Adds color and subtle flavor.
  • buns (toasted) – I like to use brioche but use what you like.

optional toppings:

In a 10-inch deep sided skillet over medium heat, add 2 teaspoons olive oil and 1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef.

Use a wooden spatula to break up the meat, cooking until browned and no longer pink. Remove and discard any fat in the pan.

Next add in 1-1/4 cups ketchup, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon distilled white vinegar, 1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard, 2 tablespoons white sugar, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper and 1/4 teaspoon paprika.

Stir well to combine and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.

Toast buns and top with the sloppy joe mixture.

Lastly top with desired toppings.

If using cheese, place the toasted bottom buns on a foil lined pan, top with desired amount of sloppy joe mixture and a slice of American (or cheese of choice) and slip under your preheated broiler until just melted – about a minute. Watch carefully to avoid burning.

What Sides Go With Sloppy Joes?

Click Here For More Sloppy Joe Recipes!

Enjoy! And if you give this Homemade Sloppy Joes recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe
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Yield: 6 servings

Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe

This Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe is so easy and delicious! Cooked ground beef in a simple sweet and tangy sauce, served on a toasted bun with your favorite toppings! Yields 6 to 8 (depending on how sloppy you like your joes to be).
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil, or avocado oil
  • 1½ pounds lean ground beef, I do 96/4 but use what you like
  • 1¼ cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons granulated white sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 6 toasted brioche buns, for serving (see notes)

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS:

Equipment

Instructions 

  • In a 10-inch deep sided skillet over medium heat, add oil and ground beef. Use a wooden spatula to break up the meat, cooking until browned and no longer pink. Remove and discard any fat in the pan.
  • Next add in ketchup, water, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt, black pepper and paprika. Stir well to combine and simmer over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Toast buns and top with the sloppy joe mixture and any desired toppings.
    NOTE: If topping with cheese, place bottom half of the toasted buns on a foil lined pan, top with desired amount of sloppy joe mixture and a slice of American (or cheese of choice) and slip under your preheated broiler until just melted. Watch carefully to avoid burning!

Notes

Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on SimplyScratch.com should only be used as a general guideline.
NOTE: Nutritional information is for meat mixture and brioche buns only.
For Homemade Brioche Buns: You can use this recipe and just cut dough into 6 or 8 portions (instead of the 12). Baking may take an additional minute or two in the oven.
Serving: 1sandwich, Calories: 410kcal, Carbohydrates: 32g, Protein: 28g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 89mg, Sodium: 542mg, Potassium: 369mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 13g, Vitamin A: 9IU, Vitamin C: 0.3mg, Calcium: 36mg, Iron: 3mg
Author: Laurie McNamara
Course: Mains & Entrees
Cuisine: American