Ingredients You’ll Need
You probably have most of this in your kitchen already.
For the Sloppy Joe filling:
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 works great)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
To serve:
- Hamburger buns (4–6, depending on how full you like them)
- Optional toppings: pickle chips, sliced cheese, coleslaw, or jalapeños
Tools You’ll Need
You don’t need anything fancy here:
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board and knife
- Spoon or ladle for serving
How to Make Sloppy Joes
These Sloppy Joes come together in a single skillet, so cleanup stays easy too.
- Brown the beef and onion.
Add the ground beef and chopped onion to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and crumble the meat with a spoon until the beef browns and the onion softens. - Drain the fat.
Tilt the skillet slightly and spoon off any excess grease, or carefully drain it into a heat-safe bowl. This keeps the Sloppy Joes from feeling greasy. - Stir in the sauce ingredients.
Add the ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and pepper directly to the pan. Stir until the beef is evenly coated and everything looks glossy and thick. - Simmer until thickened.
Turn the heat down to low and let the mixture simmer for 10–15 minutes. Stir occasionally, and let it bubble gently until the sauce thickens and clings to the beef. - Toast the buns (optional, but so good).
While the filling simmers, lightly toast your hamburger buns in a dry skillet, under the broiler, or in a toaster oven. This step helps them stand up to the saucy filling. - Assemble the Sloppy Joes.
Spoon a generous amount of the meat mixture onto each bun. Then add pickles, cheese, or whatever toppings make you happy. - Serve and get a little messy.
Serve your Sloppy Joes hot with napkins nearby. Because part of the fun is that they’re deliciously sloppy.
Quick Ingredient Swaps (At a Glance)
Here’s a handy table if you want to tweak your Sloppy Joes without overthinking it:
I still remember the first time I made these Sloppy Joes on a chaotic Tuesday. Kids were starving, I was tired, and takeout felt like one more decision I did not want to make. So I grabbed a pound of ground beef, a bottle of ketchup, and hoped for the best. And honestly? Dinner disappeared faster than any fancy meal I’ve made. These Sloppy Joes are saucy, sweet-savory, and just messy enough to feel fun. So if you need an easy, nostalgic dinner that everyone devours, this is your new go-to.
What Makes These Sloppy Joes Special
- Simple pantry sauce. So you only need ketchup, tomato paste, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce to build big flavor.
- Ready in 20 minutes. Because weeknights need fast, forgiving recipes that still taste like comfort.
- Kid-friendly but customizable. So you can keep it mild for picky eaters or dial up the heat for the grown-ups.
- Classic, but trendy again. Because retro comfort food like Sloppy Joes is having a major moment on TikTok and cozy food blogs.
| Ingredient | Easy Swap | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ground beef | Ground turkey or chicken | Lean meats make it lighter but still tasty. |
| Ketchup | Tomato sauce + 1–2 tbsp brown sugar | Use if you prefer less processed sweetness. |
| Worcestershire sauce | Soy sauce + splash of vinegar | Gives a similar salty-tangy depth. |
| Hamburger buns | Brioche buns, slider rolls, or Texas toast | Change the vibe without changing the recipe. |
What to Serve with Sloppy Joes
You can absolutely keep things simple with chips from the pantry. But if you want a full comfort-food moment, here are some fun ideas:
- Crispy fries or tater tots. Because Sloppy Joes and fries are a forever love story.
- Fresh veggie sticks and ranch. So you can balance the richness with something crunchy and cool.
- Another cozy main for a crowd. If you’re feeding a hungry crew, pair this with something like Honey Garlic Beef & Broccoli for a “mini buffet” night. besthomemaderecipes.com
And if you fall in love with this messy sandwich, you’ll probably also adore more fun twists like French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes, Spicy Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes Ultimate, or cozy Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes. besthomemaderecipes.com+2besthomemaderecipes.com+2
Tips for Perfect Sloppy Joes Every Time
- Let it simmer. So even though you can technically serve it once it’s hot, those extra 5–10 minutes of simmering thicken the sauce and deepen the flavor.
- Season at the end. Because ketchup and Worcestershire already bring salt, taste after simmering and adjust with more salt, pepper, or a pinch of sugar.
- Toast the buns. Since a warm, lightly crisp bun holds the saucy filling better, it keeps everything from turning soggy instantly.
Storage Instructions
You can absolutely treat Sloppy Joes as a meal-prep hero.
- Fridge: Store the cooled meat mixture (without buns) in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water if it seems too thick. Then spoon into fresh buns so they stay soft and sturdy.
Sloppy Joes FAQ
1. What is the secret to really good Sloppy Joes?
The secret to really good Sloppy Joes comes down to balance. So you want a mix of sweet from the ketchup, tang from mustard and Worcestershire, and savoriness from the beef and onion. Letting the mixture simmer until it’s thick and glossy also makes these Sloppy Joes taste richer and more “restaurant-level.”
2. Can you make Sloppy Joes ahead of time?
Yes, you can easily make Sloppy Joes ahead of time. In fact, the flavors often deepen overnight in the fridge. So cook the filling as directed, cool it, store it, and reheat it right before serving, then spoon onto freshly toasted buns.
3. Are Sloppy Joes better with ketchup or tomato sauce?
Classic Sloppy Joes usually use ketchup, and that’s what gives them their signature sweet-tangy flavor. However, you can absolutely use tomato sauce with a little brown sugar if you want less sweetness. Either way, the goal is a thick, saucy mixture that coats the beef.
4. Can I use ground turkey instead of beef in Sloppy Joes?
You can swap ground turkey for the beef in these Sloppy Joes with no problem. Because turkey is leaner, you may want to add a tiny drizzle of oil at the start and keep an eye on seasoning. The sauce still does all the heavy lifting for flavor.
5. How do you thicken Sloppy Joe mixture?
If your Sloppy Joes seem a bit runny, just let them simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes. The sauce will reduce and thicken naturally. You can also add an extra spoonful of tomato paste if you want them extra thick and hearty.
6. What sides go best with Sloppy Joes?
Sloppy Joes pair beautifully with fries, tater tots, coleslaw, or a simple green salad. For a fun, comfort-forward menu, you could also serve them alongside a creamy pasta dish like a cozy steak or chicken pasta bake. Recipes like Creamy Steak Pasta fit the same comfort-food mood.
Conclusion
These easy Sloppy Joes prove that dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to feel special. So with just a pound of ground beef, a few pantry staples, and soft buns, you get a family-friendly meal that tastes like pure nostalgia. And yes, it’s totally acceptable to lick your fingers.
If you make this recipe, snap a pic of your Sloppy Joes and share it on TikTok or Instagram. Tag it, send it to a friend who loves cozy food, and drop a comment with your favorite topping (team pickles forever here). And if you love simple, comforting recipes like this, be sure to subscribe to the EasyMealsToPrep newsletter so you never miss a new viral-worthy dinner idea.
Easy Sloppy Joes: The Coziest 20-Minute Dinner
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board
- Knife
- spoon or ladle for serving
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 4–6 hamburger buns
- optional pickle chips, sliced cheese, coleslaw, or jalapeños
Instructions
- Add the ground beef and chopped onion to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and crumble the meat with a spoon until the beef browns and the onion softens.
- Tilt the skillet slightly and spoon off any excess grease, or carefully drain it into a heat-safe bowl.
- Add the ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and pepper directly to the pan. Stir until the beef is evenly coated and everything looks glossy and thick.
- Turn the heat down to low and let the mixture simmer for 10–15 minutes. Stir occasionally, and let it bubble gently until the sauce thickens and clings to the beef.
- While the filling simmers, lightly toast your hamburger buns in a dry skillet, under the broiler, or in a toaster oven.
- Spoon a generous amount of the meat mixture onto each bun. Add pickles, cheese, or other desired toppings.
- Serve hot with napkins nearby — they’re meant to be messy!
