Description
This Easy Homemade Sloppy Joe recipe is a delicious and hearty meal made with lean ground beef, sautéed vegetables, and a tangy, sweet tomato-based sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Sloppy Joe Mixture
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 large green bell pepper, diced
- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef (85 or 90%)
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 cup water (plus more if needed)
To Serve
- 4 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Saute Vegetables: Heat a large pan over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the diced onion and green bell pepper, sautéing until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Brown the Beef: Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the pan. Break up the meat with a spoon and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt, chili powder, and crushed red pepper flakes, stirring to evenly coat the beef.
- Add Garlic: Reduce heat to medium and stir in the minced garlic. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring frequently until the garlic becomes very fragrant but not browned.
- Simmer with Sauce: Add ketchup, brown sugar, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and water to the pan. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Allow the mixture to simmer gently over low heat so the flavors meld together beautifully.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sloppy joe mixture and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Continue simmering until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency and the flavor is rich.
- Toast the Buns: While the beef simmers, heat a pan or griddle over medium heat. Add a little olive oil and place the hamburger buns cut side down on the hot surface. Toast for 1-2 minutes until golden and lightly crispy.
- Assemble and Serve: Spoon the sloppy joe mixture evenly over the toasted buns. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your homemade sloppy joes!
Notes
- Use lean ground beef for a healthier option or substitute with ground turkey for a lighter version.
- If you prefer a spicier sloppy joe, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce.
- You can add extra water during simmering if the sauce becomes too thick before the flavors meld.
- Leftover sloppy joe mixture can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- For a gluten-free meal, serve the sloppy joe mixture on gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps instead of hamburger buns.
