Rating: 3.65
(224)

Sloppy Joes

October 24, 2024

Sloppy Joes are the ultimate comfort food, offering a perfect blend of savory, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors all in one messy, satisfying bite. This classic American dish consists of seasoned ground beef (or turkey) simmered in a rich, tomato-based sauce, piled onto soft hamburger buns. The result is a hearty, flavorful meal that’s as delicious as it is fun to eat.

What makes Sloppy Joes so appealing is their perfect balance of textures and flavors. The meat mixture is both juicy and thick, with the sauce adding depth and complexity. The sweetness comes from ingredients like brown sugar or ketchup, while the tanginess is often balanced with mustard or vinegar. A bit of Worcestershire sauce adds umami, making each bite even more satisfying.

These sandwiches are incredibly easy to prepare, making them a go-to dish for busy weeknights, picnics, or casual gatherings. The ingredients come together quickly on the stovetop, and you can customize the flavor profile to suit your tastes. If you prefer a spicier version, feel free to add chili flakes, hot sauce, or even some diced jalapeños for an extra kick. Some recipes even call for bell peppers or onions, adding a touch of crunch and sweetness.

While ground beef is the traditional choice for Sloppy Joes, you can easily swap in ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat for a lighter or vegetarian version. The versatility of this dish also allows for creative twists, such as adding shredded cheese, pickles, or a fried egg on top for an even more indulgent experience.

Sloppy Joes are perfect for serving at casual family dinners or gatherings. The combination of tender, flavorful meat and a soft bun is universally loved, and these sandwiches are easy to eat with your hands, making them ideal for both kids and adults. For a complete meal, serve them with sides like potato chips, fries, or a simple salad.

In the end, Sloppy Joes are all about enjoying hearty, comforting food that’s both easy to make and full of flavor. They’re a timeless favorite that never fails to bring smiles to the table.

Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes
3.65 from 224 votes
Classic Sloppy Joes are a delicious and easy-to-make American sandwich made with ground beef, onions, and a sweet and tangy sauce served on a hamburger bun.
Servings 1 people
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef lean
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 hamburger buns

Instructions
 

  • In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spoon.
  • Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until softened.
  • Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and black pepper.
  • Reduce the heat to low and simmer the mixture for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Spoon the meat mixture onto the hamburger buns and serve hot.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 21gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 1000mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 2gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 20mg
Calories: 400kcal
Cuisine: American
Keyword: american cuisine, cooking, recipes
Cooking Method: Baked
Time: 30-45 Min
Level: Easy
Tried this recipe?Mention @coolinarco or tag #coolinarco!
Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar phil.aufderhar85 says:

    1 star
    It was ok, but I thought it was just guck. Not my taste. 1/10 would not make again.

    1. User avatar gerardo.feil says:

      5 stars
      I actually loved it! It’s not fancy, but sometimes comfort food can be messy and delicious. Taste buds are different for everyone, I guess! 😄

  2. User avatar rich.landlord says:

    2 stars
    I don’t get why people like this. It was too sweet for my taste. 🤷‍♂️

    1. 4 stars
      I found it sweet too, but that’s what makes Sloppy Joes fun! You can cut down the sugar next time. 😊

    2. User avatar deidre.heaney6 says:

      3 stars
      Nah, this is the best! It’s a classic. Maybe you’re just not used to it? 🤔

  3. 5 stars
    This reminds me of my childhood! Loved making these with my mom!

  4. User avatar charlie.ebert38 says:

    1 star
    Did anyone say this looks like dog food? I’m sorry, but not trying this. Absolutely not.

  5. User avatar tyrell.goldner51 says:

    4 stars
    I added some diced bell peppers for extra crunch, tasted awesome! 😊

  6. User avatar otis.keeling26 says:

    2 stars
    Shouldn’t there be chili powder in Sloppy Joes? This seems wrong.

  7. User avatar Slartibartfast says:

    2 stars
    Good recipe but too many steps, I just wanna eat. Why not just mix it all together and heat it!

  8. User avatar carol.shanahan7 says:

    4 stars
    Quick and easy! Just what I needed on a busy night. Will make again!

  9. User avatar Hasimir Fenring says:

    4 stars
    I used turkey instead of beef and they turned out great! Healthier option.

  10. User avatar Tammy Langosh says:

    5 stars
    I love this recipe. Seriously, it rocks! Best I ever did! 😍

  11. User avatar jefferey.beer says:

    4 stars
    Super easy to make and my kids loved them! Definitely making again. 👍

  12. User avatar MAGA2024.Trumpster says:

    4 stars
    I was a bit skeptical about the brown sugar, but it really makes a difference! Yummy!

  13. 1 star
    Ground beef? But I thought Sloppy Joes were made with chicken!? 🤔

  14. 4 stars
    My onion didn’t really soften—maybe my skillet heat was wrong? I ended up cooking it longer and then it was fine. Sauce was still really good.

  15. User avatar kala.stroman7 says:

    5 stars
    These Sloppy Joes were super easy to make! My kids devoured them. Will make again!

  16. 5 stars
    I added some chili powder and it was a game changer! 🔥🔥🔥

  17. User avatar man.doyle1998 says:

    4 stars
    Pretty good, but I think it needed a splash more ketchup or a pinch more salt. Also my onions took longer than expected, so I kept them going until truly soft.

  18. 2 stars
    Why does this take so long to cook? I just want to eat! Quick recipes are better.

  19. 5 stars
    This recipe is fantastic! So easy to make and my kids absolutely loved it. Will definitely make again. 👍

  20. User avatar don.oconner29 says:

    3 stars
    They were okay, but way too sweet for my taste!

  21. User avatar phillip.walker97 says:

    5 stars
    Quick and simple! Perfect for my busy family. Thanks for sharing!

  22. User avatar Genghis Khan says:

    3 stars
    My mom used to make these but she never used ketchup… tried it and it was just ok. Sorry.

  23. User avatar jayson.boehm23 says:

    4 stars
    I didn’t have Worcestershire sauce, so I used soy sauce. Still tasted yummy!

  24. User avatar tillie.carroll35 says:

    5 stars
    5 star! So easy to make and loved by the whole family. We had seconds!

    1. 5 stars
      Glad to hear it was a hit! Sloppy Joes are always a winner. Did you add any extra toppings?

  25. User avatar leopoldo.berge says:

    3 stars
    I confused brown sugar with white sugar! 😂 It still tasted ok, but next time I’ll follow directions better.

  26. User avatar Emily Saunders says:

    4 stars
    I made this recipe but used turkey instead of beef. Still turned out tasty! 😊

  27. 3 stars
    I made it and it was good, but mine came out a little too sweet (maybe I measured the brown sugar wrong). Would reduce sugar to 1 tbsp next time.

  28. User avatar Jessica Atreides says:

    4 stars
    Short and sweet. It’s good.

    1. User avatar lavona.nienow says:

      5 stars
      Totally agree! It’s such an easy recipe and delicious too!

    2. 3 stars
      It’s alright, but I think it needs more spices. Maybe some garlic or chili powder?

  29. 2 stars
    I think they were too sweet. Who puts brown sugar in Sloppy Joes? Seems odd.

  30. User avatar Eddie Bayer says:

    1 star
    Too much ketchup, maybe. I like tangy but this was like a ketchup explosion.

  31. User avatar anabel.hauck98 says:

    2 stars
    Sloppy joes? More like sloppy noes. Not a fan. Just didn’t taste good. 🙁

  32. 4 stars
    So simple to make. I just used ketchup and beef. Way better than store-bought.

  33. User avatar wilbert.luettgen1986 says:

    5 stars
    I used turkey instead of beef and they turned out fine! Healthy Sloppy Joes.

    1. 5 stars
      That sounds like a great alternative! I might try that too next time. Thanks for sharing!

  34. User avatar leonida.hand9 says:

    1 star
    Disaster! Followed the recipe exactly and it was so bland. Never making this again.

  35. 5 stars
    Quick and simple! I made it with turkey instead of beef and it worked fine!

  36. 3 stars
    Can I use any kind of buns? I have some hotdog buns left.

  37. 4 stars
    Pretty good! I did 10 minutes simmering instead of 20 and it still tasted fine. Next time I might add a dash of garlic powder though.

  38. User avatar Galaxia Woonbeam says:

    3 stars
    Really good but we forgot the sugar… what a mistake! Will try again the right way!

  39. 5 stars
    Followed it pretty much exactly, except I added a splash of apple cider vinegar (don’t judge). Still tasted great and not too sweet.

    1. User avatar Emilee Koelpin says:

      3 stars
      I don’t know about vinegar with ketchup… but if it wasn’t too sweet then maybe it worked. Next time I’ll try just a tiny splash.

    2. User avatar maybell.luettgen1967 says:

      5 stars
      Apple cider vinegar?! Don’t judge at all—honestly that sounds like it would cut the sweetness from the brown sugar a bit. Glad you liked it!

  40. 4 stars
    I’m not a fan of ground beef, so I used turkey instead. Still turned out great!

    1. User avatar magda.sauer says:

      2 stars
      Turkey? Really? I dunno if that would taste the same. Isn’t beef the whole point of sloppy joes?

    2. User avatar newton.sawayn says:

      4 stars
      Using turkey instead of beef sounds like a healthier option! I might give it a try too. Thanks for the tip!

  41. 2 stars
    Eh, it was just ok. Seems like something my kids would eat, but not really my taste.

    1. User avatar Pasta Fasta says:

      4 stars
      I thought it was pretty good, actually! Sloppy Joes remind me of my childhood. Maybe you should try adding some cheese or pickles next time?

  42. User avatar larraine.lehner1 says:

    5 stars
    These came out like the classic diner sloppy joes—sweet, tangy, and not overly salty. The 15–20 minutes simmer was key. Definitely making again.

    1. User avatar lemuel.batz59 says:

      5 stars
      Totally agree—this has that diner vibe. The ketchup + brown sugar combo is magic, and the 15–20 simmer really makes it taste like it’s been cooking all day.

  43. User avatar donnie.davis19 says:

    2 stars
    I don’t get why everyone loves this. Sloppy joes are just like, messy sandwiches? Not for me.

  44. User avatar kanesha.ullrich says:

    5 stars
    Quick and delicious! I used ground turkey instead and it turned out great! Thanks for sharing!

    1. User avatar aleen.kihn67 says:

      4 stars
      Ground turkey? That’s interesting! I never thought of that. Can you taste the difference?

  45. 4 stars
    My friend said they used turkey instead of beef and it tasted just as good.

  46. User avatar jolyn.funk40 says:

    5 stars
    Sloppy Joes is a classic! This recipe brought back memories of my mom making them for us. Yum!

  47. User avatar idell.klein says:

    3 stars
    I tried this recipe but it came out too sweet for my taste. What did I do wrong?

  48. 3 stars
    Soo good! but my buns got soggy after 5 mins. What do I do about that?

  49. User avatar blake.lubowitz says:

    2 stars
    I dunno… these just didn’t hit the spot for me. Ketchup is just too much. 🤷‍♂️

  50. User avatar clarence.cruickshank says:

    5 stars
    These are the best sloppy joes I’ve ever made! So easy and delish! 5 stars!!

  51. User avatar mack.mills2023 says:

    4 stars
    This recipe is a game changer! My kids loved them. I added some pickles too. Yum!

    1. User avatar armando.wisozk2025 says:

      5 stars
      Glad to hear your kids loved them! Pickles sound like a fun twist. Gonna try that next time!

    2. 3 stars
      I dunno, seems like a lot of ketchup. What about using BBQ sauce instead? Might be better.

  52. User avatar chi.douglas1995 says:

    5 stars
    Easy and quick! Perfect for a weeknight dinner. Thx for the recipe!

  53. 3 stars
    Not sure about the brown sugar, seems weird. Mine tasted too sweet, but my kids liked it.

  54. User avatar verna.schaefer35 says:

    2 stars
    Not a fan—way too sweet for me. I cut the brown sugar in half and even then it was still sugary.

  55. User avatar bernie.bruen1969 says:

    4 stars
    Yummy, but I accidentally used too much ketchup. Oops! Still good tho.

  56. User avatar melia.stroman27 says:

    4 stars
    Sloppy Joes are sort of basic but I like them. This recipe is simple and fills me up.

  57. User avatar arnulfo.kohler25 says:

    5 stars
    Super easy weeknight meal. I simmered closer to 25 minutes and it thickened nicely. Served with fries and it was perfect.

  58. 2 stars
    Can I use turkey instead of beef? I don’t like red meat.

    1. User avatar wayne.flatley1980 says:

      5 stars
      Absolutely! Turkey is a great substitute for beef. It’ll taste delicious too!

  59. 2 stars
    I messed up the ratio and added too much ketchup. Was not good.

  60. User avatar jamie.zulauf1966 says:

    3 stars
    Not sure about the ketchup + sugar combo… kind of sticky. I prefer tomatoes instead.

  61. User avatar francesco.harris says:

    2 stars
    Not really a fan. I prefer my Sloppy Joes without sugar.

  62. User avatar sandy.runolfsdottir1977 says:

    3 stars
    Pretty good, but I thought it was too sweet. Maybe less sugar next time?

    1. User avatar Dremora Lord says:

      3 stars
      Nah, I thought it was just right! Sweet makes it better!

    2. User avatar cecily.daniel37 says:

      4 stars
      I agree! It was a bit sweet for my taste too. Maybe adding less ketchup would help?

  63. User avatar Ilban Richese says:

    4 stars
    I’m skeptical of how good ketchup + sugar can be, but wow. My picky kid actually asked for seconds.

  64. User avatar mitch.larkin24 says:

    3 stars
    Nice and easy recipe but a bit bland for my taste. Needs more spice!

  65. User avatar ben.prohaska says:

    5 stars
    Sloppy Joe time! Yum! 🍔

  66. User avatar chong.lesch53 says:

    1 star
    Sloppy Joes? More like sloppy noes! Didn’t enjoy at all.

    1. 5 stars
      I actually loved them! You must have done something wrong. They’re so good with extra cheese!

  67. 1 star
    Sloppy Joes? More like sloppy noes. Not impressed.

    1. User avatar Celia Rutherford says:

      5 stars
      I actually love Sloppy Joes! They remind me of my childhood. Maybe you just had a bad experience? Give them another shot!

    2. 3 stars
      Sloppy Joes ain’t gourmet, it’s comfort food! But if you don’t like it, that’s ok too. Everyone has their taste.

  68. User avatar stephan.walsh28 says:

    3 stars
    Eh, it was alright. I think I may have overcooked the beef. Gonna stick to my mom’s recipe.

  69. User avatar miles.gerhold32 says:

    4 stars
    Sloppy Joes! Yum.

  70. User avatar archie.hermiston says:

    5 stars
    So easy to make, and my husband loved it! What’s not to like?

  71. User avatar jolene.mitchell says:

    4 stars
    I used turkey instead of beef n it turned out great! Just sayin, anyone can tweak it.

  72. User avatar marcel.hoppe1963 says:

    3 stars
    My onion stayed crunchy… maybe my skillet wasn’t hot enough? Will try sautéing longer next time. Otherwise decent.

  73. User avatar lera.olson54 says:

    5 stars
    These Sloppy Joes are the best! My kids loved them, and they were super easy to make.

  74. User avatar bernard.mayer says:

    1 star
    Didn’t like it. Ground beef too greasy and I don’t like onions.

  75. User avatar thanh.conroy says:

    5 stars
    Yum!!! I added some cheese on top and it was next level. So good!

    1. 5 stars
      Cheese? That’s genius! I’ll definitely try that next time. Thanks for the tip!

  76. User avatar Michael Effertz says:

    3 stars
    Doesn’t this have too much sugar tho? Like, a whole cup of ketchup? My dentist would hate me!

  77. User avatar mohamed.mueller says:

    5 stars
    This tastes like the sloppy joe mix I grew up with, honestly. Comfort food for sure. I used regular ketchup because that’s all I had and it still worked.

  78. User avatar Siona Atreides says:

    4 stars
    Not a fan of ketchup. Can I use BBQ sauce instead? 🤔

  79. User avatar lesley.batz says:

    1 star
    Is this a joke? Sloppy joes are not supposed to have sugar! Ruined my childhood! 1 star.

  80. User avatar rob.mayer says:

    5 stars
    This was so easy and quick! I made it after work and my family loved it. Thanks for sharing!

    1. User avatar bess.kuphal says:

      3 stars
      I dunno, looks simple but not healthy with all that ketchup. What if I used veggies instead?

    2. 5 stars
      I’m so glad you and your family enjoyed it! Sloppy Joes are a classic for a reason.

  81. User avatar Edith Casper says:

    4 stars
    I thought sloppy joes were supposed to be messy?? 🤔 these were too neat!

    1. User avatar elna.stokes says:

      4 stars
      I guess they can be neat if you try! But I love a good messy sloppy joe. Just adds to the fun!

    2. User avatar Chaurus Hunter says:

      3 stars
      Are you sure you made them right? Sloppy Joes are always messy, that’s the whole point!

  82. 2 stars
    I don’t see why so many people love these. The mixed flavors were just too weird for me.

  83. 2 stars
    Really?? Brown sugar in sloppy joes? I always used honey. Not sure about this..

  84. User avatar Malcom Auer DVM says:

    4 stars
    Tasty recipe but needed more spices. Next time, I’ll add some garlic powder.

  85. User avatar bertram.cassin says:

    2 stars
    I don’t get why people like Sloppy Joes. They just taste messy and… sloppy.

  86. User avatar sierra.gottlieb23 says:

    3 stars
    I think you forgot to mention adding cheese… Sloppy Joes need cheese! 🍔🧀

  87. User avatar rosita.schaden says:

    5 stars
    Simplicity at its best. Made it in under 30 minutes. Will definitely make again! 5 stars.

  88. User avatar earl.bahringer says:

    5 stars
    SLOPPY JOES!!! My kids can’t get enough of these. Easy and quick for a weeknight dinner.

    1. User avatar tressie.rempel79 says:

      5 stars
      This recipe sounds so easy! Can’t wait to try it for my kids too. Thanks for sharing!

  89. User avatar vicenta.macejkovic17 says:

    4 stars
    I followed it pretty closely, but I added a tiny splash of vinegar at the end. That little tweak made it pop. Next time I’ll probably double the onions.

  90. User avatar Harry Armand Bach says:

    5 stars
    Turned out super tasty and way less complicated than I expected. The simmer really helps the sauce come together—my kids went back for seconds.

    1. User avatar rich.landlord says:

      5 stars
      Yes! The simmer is the secret—makes it taste way more “real” than instant sloppy joe stuff. My fam was also doing seconds 😄

  91. User avatar abel.keeling says:

    1 star
    Why would you put sugar in sloppy joes? That’s just wrong! I am not trying this. 😒

    1. User avatar Sand-Dial says:

      4 stars
      I think the sugar balances out the acidity of the ketchup. It’s a classic combo! Give it a chance!

    2. User avatar colby.kuhn says:

      2 stars
      Sugar? Seriously? That’s just messed up. Sloppy joes shouldn’t be sweet!

  92. User avatar Mr. Prosser says:

    1 star
    Sloppy Joes? More like sloppy no. I’m sorry but can’t eat this!

  93. User avatar Ma'randru-jo says:

    2 stars
    Huh? This was too sweet. Is brown sugar really needed? Gimme regular beef…

  94. User avatar ArabianNights says:

    3 stars
    I used ground turkey instead of beef and it came out kinda dry. Still edible though, just needed more sauce.

  95. User avatar lenora.schultz2022 says:

    5 stars
    Yum! I added a pinch of garlic powder and it was amazing! Will make again.

  96. 3 stars
    I accidentally used yellow mustard (still mustard though) and it was kinda weird at first, but after simmering it mellowed out. Tasted okay in the end.

  97. User avatar Bennie Daniel says:

    4 stars
    The Worcestershire sauce is the key. I didn’t have mustard so I used a bit of yellow mustard powder—still decent, but fresh mustard probably tastes better.

    1. User avatar tonisha.zulauf47 says:

      3 stars
      Idk… mustard powder seems kinda weak though. I’d rather just skip it than use powder. Still, sloppy joes forgive a lot, I guess.

    2. User avatar Magrathean sperm whale says:

      5 stars
      Totally agree—Worcestershire sauce makes it taste “real.” I always add a little extra if I’m feeling brave. 😄

  98. User avatar salvador.vonrueden15 says:

    1 star
    Sloppy Joes are too gross! Why is there so much ketchup?

    1. User avatar renate.stroman13 says:

      5 stars
      I love Sloppy Joes! The ketchup gives it that sweet and tangy kick. Everyone has different tastes, I guess!

    2. User avatar pat.stiedemann says:

      3 stars
      But like, the ketchup is what makes it sloppy, right? You can always use less ketchup if you want?

  99. User avatar kimber.trantow says:

    2 stars
    I don’t get the brown sugar part. It seems weird to me, why add sugar to meat?

  100. User avatar raleigh.collier1982 says:

    3 stars
    I guess it’s okay, but my mom’s recipe is way better. Plus, she uses chicken. Just sayin’.

3.65 from 224 votes
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