Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes

This old fashioned sloppy joes recipe is a quick, 30-minute dinner that tastes just like the classic sandwiches many of us grew up eating. The homemade sweet and tangy sauce uses simple pantry staples and has so much more flavor than the canned versions.

If you enjoy Sloppy Joe recipes, try our turkey sloppy joes, sloppy joe cornbread casserole, or check out my other Dinner Ideas for Picky Eaters.

Before You Get Started

A few quick notes that help this recipe turn out perfectly every time:

• Use lean ground beef. Leaner meat keeps the sauce from becoming greasy and helps the flavors shine. You can drain the extra fat if needed.
• Brown the meat well. Let it get a little color before adding the sauce. This adds richer, deeper flavor.
• Adjust the sauce thickness. Simmer uncovered for a thicker mixture, or cover the skillet if you like a “sloppier” consistency.
• Taste and tweak. This is an old-fashioned, flexible sauce. Add a splash of vinegar for more tang or a bit of brown sugar if you like it sweeter.

How to Make Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes

These homemade sloppy joes come together with just a few simple steps. The whole meal cooks in less than 30 minutes, which makes it ideal for busy weeknights.

Step 1: Brown the Meat, Onion, and Garlic

Start by cooking the ground beef, onion, and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break up the meat as it cooks so you don’t end up with big clumps.

• Let it get a little color before draining; that browning adds great flavor.
• Drain off the extra grease after the beef is no longer pink. This keeps the sauce from tasting oily.

A cast iron skillet works well here, but any large pan with good surface area will help the meat cook evenly.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Sauce

In a separate bowl or measuring cup, whisk the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper.

• This is the classic sweet-and-tangy base that gives sloppy joes their old-fashioned flavor.
• The ingredients are flexible. A little extra vinegar brightens it up, and a touch more sugar adds sweetness if that’s how your family likes it.

Mixing the sauce separately keeps everything smooth so it coats the meat evenly later.

Step 3: Combine and Simmer

Pour the sauce into the skillet with the beef mixture. Stir well so every bit of meat is coated. Keep the heat low and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.

• For a thicker mixture: simmer uncovered so the sauce reduces. To thicken, simmer a little longer or sift in a very small amount of flour while stirring.
• For a sloppier texture: cover the skillet so the moisture stays in. To thin the sauce, add a splash of warm water, broth, or even a spoonful of ketchup.

You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture looks glossy, rich, and spoonable. Not runny, but not dry.

Step 4: Serve on Buns

Spoon the warm sloppy joe mixture onto soft hamburger buns.

• Toasting the buns gives the sandwiches a little more structure and keeps them from getting soggy.
• If you’re serving kids, spoon the filling onto slider rolls or let the mixture cook down until it’s a touch thicker. It’s easier to handle that way.

Serve them right away with your favorite sides, and enjoy a comforting, old-fashioned sandwich that tastes like the classic version so many of us remember.

Sloppy Joe Toppings

We usually keep these sandwiches simple for picky eaters, but toppings can make them even better:

• Cheese: American cheese melts instantly on the warm meat.
• Pickles: Dill or bread-and-butter pickles add crunch and tang.
• Coleslaw: A cool, creamy topping that balances the savory meat.
• Lettuce, tomato, red onion: A fresh burger-style twist.

What to Serve With Sloppy Joes

Best Classic Sides

These pair naturally with a cozy, old-school sloppy joe dinner:

• Baked Potato Wedges
• Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
• Homemade Baked Beans (or Cowboy Baked Beans)
• Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
• French fries or potato chips
• Southern-Style Green Beans

Fresh and Lighter Sides

Bright, crunchy sides that balance the rich sauce:

• Corn Salad
• Easy Potato Salad
• Apple Salad
• Marinated Cucumbers
• Classic Pasta Salad

Ways to Use Leftover Sloppy Joes

Leftovers reheat beautifully and can be used in so many family-friendly dinners:

• Crescent roll sloppy joe casserole
• Spoon over rice, noodles, or mashed sweet potatoes.
• Top baked potatoes (with sour cream, and cheese).
• Stir into Dutch oven mac and cheese for a Sloppy Joe pasta.
• Use in quesadillas, tacos, or wraps.
• Spoon over Southern cornbread.
• Spread it on flatbread and top with grated cheese, then bake for a Sloppy Joe pizza.
• Sloppy joe tater tot casserole

Storage and Reheating

• Make-Ahead: This is a great make ahead meal for busy nights! You can prepare the Sloppy Joe meat in advance, let it cool to room temperature, and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
• How to Reheat: Place the meat in a saucepan, cover, and warm over a low flame, stirring regularly just until heated through. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of warm water, beef broth, or additional ketchup to thin. Spoon onto buns and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

What buns work best for Sloppy Joes?

Classic hamburger buns are perfect, but brioche, pretzel buns, or kaiser rolls hold up well too. Toast the buns lightly on a griddle or in a skillet. It adds flavor and helps keep the sandwich from getting soggy once the warm meat goes on top.

What can I use in the sauce instead of ketchup?

Substitute with barbecue sauce or tomato sauce in lieu of the ketchup. The tomato sauce is not sweet like ketchup, so you will need to add some extra brown sugar to taste. You can also use a can of condensed tomato soup if that’s what’s in your pantry. Stir in a dollop of tomato paste for a richer, thicker tomato flavor.

How do I thicken or thin the sauce?

This recipe is flexible, so you can make the mixture as thick or as “sloppy” as you like.

• For a looser sauce: Cover the skillet while simmering to trap moisture, or add a splash of warm water, beef broth, or a bit more ketchup. Adjust slowly until it reaches a consistency you like.
• For a thicker sauce: Simmer uncovered so the liquid can reduce. You can also let it cook a little longer or stir in a very small amount of flour to tighten it up.

What is the difference between Sloppy Joes and Manwich?

Manwich is a canned, tomato-based sauce that you mix with browned meat. It’s convenient, but the flavor is usually thinner and a little more processed. Homemade sloppy joes have a richer taste because you control the balance of sweetness, tang, and seasoning. The sauce thickens naturally as it simmers, and you can easily adjust it to suit your family.

Can I make these with turkey or pork?

Yes. The sauce works with almost any ground meat. Ground turkey, chicken, or pork cook the same way and absorb the flavors well. Turkey and chicken give you a lighter, leaner sauce, while pork adds a touch more richness.

Can I make sloppy joes in a slow cooker?

Yes. Brown the ground meat, onion, and garlic first so the texture stays right, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Stir in the sauce ingredients and cook on low for 2-3 hours. If the mixture looks too thin at the end, remove the lid and let it cook a little longer to reduce.

Recipe Variations

• Use both Ketchup and BBQ Sauce: for a zesty spin, swap out half of the ketchup and replace it with barbecue sauce instead.
• Sloppy Joe Recipe with Tomato Sauce: For a slightly less sweet Sloppy Joe sauce, replace half of the ketchup with tomato sauce. You can even omit the ketchup entirely and use tomato sauce instead. Just sweeten with brown sugar to taste.
• Homemade Sloppy Joes with BBQ Sauce: If you love the zippy flavor of barbecue sauce, swap out the ketchup and replace it with your favorite brand of store-bought (or homemade) bbq sauce.
• Add Seasoning: Use your favorite seasonings like chili powder or cumin, or herbs such as oregano, thyme, basil, or parsley.
• Include Vegetables: Make healthy Sloppy Joes by sneaking in extra veggies. Try diced bell pepper, shredded zucchini or squash, or grated carrots.
• Try Different Meat: Instead of ground beef, use ground pork or ground turkey, or a blend of meats.
• Make Them Spicy: Add crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne to your sauce.
• No Sugar Sloppy Joe Recipe: omit the brown sugar and use no-sugar-added ketchup.

More Kid-Friendly Dinners

• Flatbread Pizza
• Tater Tot Casserole
• Ham and Cheese Sliders
• Ground Beef Nachos
• Taco Bake with Doritos
• Chili Mac