Description
This Best Homemade Sloppy Joes recipe is a classic American comfort food featuring a savory mixture of ground beef, vegetables, and a tangy tomato-based sauce served on toasted hamburger buns. Perfectly seasoned and simmered to develop rich flavors, these sloppy joes make for a hearty and satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 2 ribs celery, diced
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic (about 4 cloves)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Bread
- 8 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Brown the Beef & Onion: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Drain the Fat: Drain any excess fat from the skillet, then return the skillet to the heat to prevent a greasy filling.
- Add Vegetables & Sauce: Add diced green bell pepper, diced celery, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, brown sugar, salt, ground mustard, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir well to fully combine all the ingredients for a rich, flavorful mixture.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid sticking and to develop the flavors.
- Toast the Buns: Preheat your oven’s broiler and position the rack 12 inches beneath the broiler. Place hamburger buns, open-face, on a baking sheet and broil for 1 to 2 minutes until lightly browned. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Assemble & Serve: Spoon the hot Sloppy Joe mixture generously onto the toasted buns and serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For a leaner option, use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef.
- Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to your preferred level of spiciness.
- Simmering time can be extended up to 45 minutes for a thicker sauce.
- Sloppy Joes can be reheated in a skillet over low heat for best texture retention.
- Serve with pickles or coleslaw for added crunch and flavor contrast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
