This old fashioned Sloppy Joes recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes for a quick and easy dinner — even on your busiest nights. A handful of simple pantry staples like ketchup, mustard, and cider vinegar create a homemade sweet and tangy sauce that’s so much better than the canned stuff!
Table of Contents
If you love Sloppy Joe recipes as much as we do, be sure to try these Crock Pot Sloppy Joes, a dump-and-bake Sloppy Joe casserole, turkey Sloppy Joes, our Sloppy Joe tater tot casserole, and this Sloppy Joe cornbread casserole, too!
How to Make this Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe | 1-Minute Video
I made this for dinner tonight, and it was delicious! So easy too. It will definitely be one that I make again and again. Thanks for creating and sharing such a wonderful recipe!
– Morgan
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
I’ve got nothing against store-bought Manwich Sloppy Joe sauce, but these homemade Sloppy Joes are so much tastier — and almost as easy as popping open a can! The old-fashioned recipe is a classic American comfort food that dates back to the early 20th century, and it’s no surprise that the sweet-and-savory sandwiches have been loved for generations.
In fact, Marilyn Brown, the Director of the Consumer Test Kitchen at H.J. Heinz, suggests that Sloppy Joes originated with the “loose meat sandwiches” sold in Sioux City, Iowa in the 1930s. Those sandwiches were created by a cook named Joe, which might explain today’s term for the simple recipe, Sloppy Joes. These sandwiches consist of a combination of ground beef (or other ground meat) in a tomato-based sauce, piled high on hamburger buns. What’s not to love?!
Ingredients
This is just a quick overview of the ingredients that you’ll need for an old fashioned sloppy joe recipe. As always, specific measurements and step-by-step instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.
- Lean ground beef: you can sub with ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork if you prefer.
- Onion and garlic: for savory flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce: adds salty, umami flavor.
- Brown sugar: for just the right amount of sweetness.
- Apple cider vinegar: for a bright, acidic note.
- Yellow mustard: adds a bit of subtle tang.
- Ketchup: the base of the sauce, this adds flavor and sweetness.
- Salt and pepper: to enhance the other flavors in the recipe.
- Sandwich buns: for serving.
The Directions
Not only is this old fashioned sloppy joes recipe quick to prepare, but you probably already have all of the ingredients that you need. Skip a trip to the grocery store and get dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes — perfect for busy weeknights! You’ll find detailed directions in the recipe card below, but here’s the quick version:
- Brown the meat, onion, and garlic, and drain off the excess grease.
- Whisk together the remaining ingredients to make the sauce.
- Add the sauce to the ground beef mixture in the skillet and stir to combine.
- Simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes, or until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Spoon the mixture onto hamburger buns and serve warm.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the homemade sloppy joes with any of these easy side dishes:
- Coleslaw or Vinegar Coleslaw
- Wedge Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, Green Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette, Southern Caesar Salad, House Salad with Candied Pecans, Mixed Greens with Dijon Vinaigrette, or Classic Caesar Salad
- Baked Potato Wedges, Twice Baked Potatoes, 3-Ingredient Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream and Chives, Skin On Mashed Red Potatoes, Baked Potatoes (or baked sweet potato), Easy Potato Salad, Potato Chips, or French Fries
- Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese, Duke’s Homemade Mac and Cheese, Pumpkin Mac and Cheese, Crock Pot Mac and Cheese, No-Boil Overnight Mac and Cheese, Shells and Cheese, or Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese
- Corn Salad, Jiffy Corn Casserole, Corn on the Cob in the Oven, or Fried Corn
- 3-Ingredient Sour Cream Muffins
- Refrigerator Dill Pickles, Cucumber Salad with Vinegar, Tomato Cucumber Onion Salad, or Cucumber Dill Salad
- Arkansas Green Beans with Bacon or Southern-Style Green Beans
- Broccoli Cauliflower Salad or English Pea Salad
- Fried Apples or Baked Apple Slices
- Southern Succotash
- Southern Collard Greens
- Fried Okra or Okra and Tomatoes
- Broccoli and Cheese
- Easy Pasta Salad
- Homemade Baked Beans with Bacon or Cowboy Baked Beans
- Southern Squash Casserole
- Fried Cabbage with Apples and Onion, Braised Red Cabbage, or Roasted Cabbage
Sloppy Joe Toppings
We keep them simple with just the meat inside a bun, which is ideal for a picky eater; however, you can feel free to pile on any of your favorite sandwich toppings. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Cheese: place a slice of American cheese on top of the warm meat — it will melt almost instantly
- Pickles: dill slices or bread and butter pickles are both delicious
- Coleslaw: a cool and crunchy contrast to the warm meat
- Lettuce, Tomato and Red Onion: just like a hamburger!
Preparation and Storage Tips
- 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.
- The prepared Sloppy Joe meat will keep in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator 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!
Unique Ways to Use Leftover Sloppy Joes
Instead of the traditional Sloppy Joe sandwich, try using the leftovers in these other ways:
- Serve the meat on top of rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes
- Use the Sloppy Joes as a topping for baked potatoes with sour cream and cheddar cheese
- Combine with macaroni and cheese for a Sloppy Joe Pasta
- Stuff the meat inside quesadillas or tacos
- Pile it high on top of cornbread
- Spread it on flatbread and top with grated cheese, then bake for a Sloppy Joe pizza
- Use it in a casserole or bake it on top of crescent roll dough.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What’s the best bread for Sloppy Joes? We serve this old fashioned sloppy joe recipe on classic hamburger buns. Sesame seeds or not, you choose! You can butter the buns and toast them on a griddle for a fancier restaurant-quality touch. You might also like brioche buns, pretzel buns, or even kaiser sandwich rolls for a tasty twist.
- 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 can I thicken Sloppy Joes? This recipe is very flexible, so you can make your Sloppy Joes as thick or as “sloppy” as you like. For a thinner sauce, keep the skillet covered while you simmer the meat in the sauce. If the sauce is still too thick, gradually stir in a small amount of warm water or beef broth until it reaches your desired consistency. To thicken the Sloppy Joes, simmer the sauce a little bit longer uncovered, or gradually sift in a small amount of flour while stirring vigorously.
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 Sloppy Joe Recipes to Try
Crescent Roll Sloppy Joe Casserole
35 minutes mins
Slow Cooker Italian Sloppy Joes
4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
Sloppy Joe Casserole {5 Ingredients!}
40 minutes mins
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Watch How to Make It
Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- ¼ cup finely diced onion (frozen is fine)
- 1 clove garlic, minced (or ⅛ teaspoon dried garlic powder)
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Dash of ground black pepper
- For serving: sandwich buns
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, onion, and garlic until the meat is no longer pink. Drain.
- Whisk together the remaining ingredients to make the sauce.
- Add the sauce to the skillet with the beef, onion, and garlic.
- Simmer uncovered over low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring regularly, until the mixture reaches desired consistency. You can keep the skillet covered if you like the sauce “sloppier.” If the sauce is too thick, gradually stir in a small amount of warm water or beef broth. If the sauce is too thin, gradually sift in a small amount of flour while stirring vigorously to thicken.
- Spoon beef mixture onto buns and serve!
Notes
- Make Ahead: Prepare the meat mixture in advance, cool to room temperature, and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Serving a Larger Family? Double all of the ingredients.
- Adjust consistency: Add a splash of warm water or broth if it gets too thick, or simmer longer for a thicker sauce.
- Meat options: Turkey, pork, or a blend work well.
- Bun tip: Toast buns for a sturdier sandwich.
Fantastic!
Thank you, Clair!
So annoying- the quantities are written no where-
Hi, Matthew! The quantities for each ingredient and the complete recipe instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Love the addition of vinegar!
Thank you, Patricia!
I made this recipe as directed, it was very delicious. The only thing I would do is add a little red or yellow bell pepper. Would highly recommend. Send more recipies.
Thank you, Dennis! We’re so glad you enjoyed it.