Discover the Best Sloppy Joe Recipe that redefines a beloved comfort food. Savory ground beef, tender onions, peppers, and a rich tomato blend come together with perfectly balanced seasonings, creating a dish that transforms busy weeknights into flavor-packed dinners. Enjoy Homemade Sloppy Joes that deliver a satisfying, unforgettable taste experience.

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When I first tried this Best Homemade Sloppy Joes recipe, I was impressed by the bold mix of flavors that come together in just 20 minutes. I start by browning 1 lb ground beef (80/20 mix for best flavor), then I add a medium yellow onion finely chopped and a diced green bell pepper to get that perfect crunch and natural sweetness.

I toss in 2 minced garlic cloves before stirring in 1 cup tomato sauce and 2 tbsp tomato paste. To keep it saucy, I add 1/4 cup water, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tbsp brown sugar.

A dash of smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp ground black pepper really round out the profile. I serve the robust mix on toasted hamburger buns, which makes this homemade Sloppy Joes a great choice for parties or a quick weeknight dinner.

Why I Like this Recipe

1. I really love how this recipe packs a punch in flavor with the mix of beef, onions, peppers and all that tangy tomato goodness.
2. I like that it’s super quick and easy to make which is perfect for those busy weeknights when I don’t wanna spend hours in the kitchen.
3. I also appreciate the balance of sweet and savory; the brown sugar and apple cider vinegar make the meat taste extra rich and interesting.
4. Plus, the toasted buns are my favorite part because they soak up all the juices and add a nice crunch to every bite.

Ingredients

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Ground Beef: Rich in protein and fat, bringing robust, hearty flavor and texture.
Yellow Onion: Loaded with fiber and vitamins, provides natural sweetness when cooked down.
Green Bell Pepper: Offers vitamins and crunch; adds a fresh, vibrant flavor to the mix.
Garlic: Intensifies aroma and flavor with its bold, savory kick in every bite.
Tomato Sauce & Paste: Bring tangy, sweet richness, making the meal moist and colorful.
Worcestershire Sauce: Adds savory depth and a tangy, subtle umami note to every bite.
Apple Cider Vinegar & Brown Sugar: Provide balanced sweet and sour zing, elevating flavors.

Ingredient Quantities

1 lb ground beef (80/20 mix for best flavor)

1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

1 green bell pepper, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup tomato sauce

2 tbsp tomato paste

1/4 cup water

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

4-6 hamburger buns for serving

How to Make this

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1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 lb of ground beef. Cook until it’s nicely browned and no longer pink, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain off any extra grease if needed.

2. Mix in one finely chopped medium yellow onion, one diced green bell pepper, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Let ‘em cook together for about 3 minutes til the veggies start to soften.

3. Stir in 1 cup tomato sauce and 2 tbsp tomato paste so they blend well with the meat and vegetables.

4. Pour in 1/4 cup water along with 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, stirring all the while.

5. Add 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp salt (or more if you like it salty) and 1/4 tsp ground black pepper. Give the mixture a good stir.

6. Bring the whole mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t stick.

7. While the meat simmers, toast 4 to 6 hamburger buns either in a toaster or on a dry skillet until they are lightly browned.

8. Spoon a hearty amount of the meat mixture onto each toasted bun.

9. Press the meat into the bun a little bit so the flavors soak in better.

10. Serve immediately and enjoy these bold and tasty homemade Sloppy Joes!

Equipment Needed

1. Large skillet
2. Chef’s knife
3. Cutting board
4. Wooden spoon or spatula
5. Measuring cups and spoons
6. Toaster or second dry skillet for toasting buns

FAQ

What type of ground beef is best for this recipe?

We reccomend using 80/20 ground beef as its got just the right amount of fat for flavor and juiciness. Using leaner beef might make it a bit dry.

How can I adjust the consistency of the sloppy joe mixture?

If you wanna get it saucier, try adding a little more water or tomato sauce gradually until you hit the right consistency.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Sure, you can make it ahead and warm it up later. Just note that the flavors might get even richer if you let it sit overnight.

Do i have to use both tomato paste and tomato sauce?

Both help in different ways. The tomato paste enhances the flavor and thickens the mix while the tomato sauce adds volume. If you're short on time, you could experiment with using one, but you might miss a bit of depth.

What type of buns works best for serving?

Any hamburger buns you have will do, but I recommend ones that are sturdy like brioche buns so they can hold up to all that saucy goodness.

Best Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Ground beef: You can swap it with ground turkey if you want a leaner version without losing too much flavor
Yellow onion: A red or white onion can be used instead, even though it might give a slightly different taste
Green bell pepper: Try using a red or yellow bell pepper if you like a sweeter flavor in your dish
Tomato paste: In a pinch, a couple tablespoons of ketchup can work as a substitute
Apple cider vinegar: White vinegar or even a splash of lemon juice can be used if you’re out of apple cider vinegar

Pro Tips

1. When cookin the beef make sure to brown it really well – This helps bring out a deeper flavor and you can drain some of the fat so your mix ain’t too greasy.

2. Don’t rush when addin the veggies – Let the onions, peppers, and garlic sweat a bit with the meat so all the flavors kinda mix together, but keep watch so they dont overcook and get mushy.

3. Stir often while simmering – This stops the sauce from stickin to the pan and burnin, plus it makes sure that every bite is well loaded with flavor.

4. Toast your buns just right – A light toast gives a nice crunchy texture contrast to the soft, saucy meat. If they’re too soft the bun might just fall apart.

Best Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

490

kcal

Equipment: 1. Large skillet
2. Chef’s knife
3. Cutting board
4. Wooden spoon or spatula
5. Measuring cups and spoons
6. Toaster or second dry skillet for toasting buns

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef (80/20 mix for best flavor)
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup tomato sauce
2 tbsp tomato paste
1/4 cup water
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
4-6 hamburger buns for serving

Directions

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 lb of ground beef. Cook until it’s nicely browned and no longer pink, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain off any extra grease if needed.
Mix in one finely chopped medium yellow onion, one diced green bell pepper, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Let ‘em cook together for about 3 minutes til the veggies start to soften.
Stir in 1 cup tomato sauce and 2 tbsp tomato paste so they blend well with the meat and vegetables.
Pour in 1/4 cup water along with 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, stirring all the while.
Add 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp salt (or more if you like it salty) and 1/4 tsp ground black pepper. Give the mixture a good stir.
Bring the whole mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t stick.
While the meat simmers, toast 4 to 6 hamburger buns either in a toaster or on a dry skillet until they are lightly browned.
Spoon a hearty amount of the meat mixture onto each toasted bun.
Press the meat into the bun a little bit so the flavors soak in better.
Serve immediately and enjoy these bold and tasty homemade Sloppy Joes!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.