Easy Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe

If you’re looking for the best Sloppy Joe recipe made from real ingredients, you’re in the right place. These easy homemade Sloppy Joes are rich, flavorful, and ready in about 20 minutes. Forget the canned stuff! This homemade version is so much better and doesn’t include any weird ingredients.

Whether you’re feeding your family on a busy weeknight or making a quick dinner everyone will love, this recipe delivers. It’s a go-to favorite with hundreds of positive reviews.

Why You’ll Love These Sloppy Joes

• Quick and easy. Ready in just 20 minutes
• Made from scratch. No high fructose corn syrup or preservatives
• Kid-friendly. Sweet, savory, and satisfying
• Flexible. Use beef or turkey, adjust the sweetness, or add veggies

Ingredients You’ll Need

This homemade Sloppy Joe sauce is packed with flavor and made from simple pantry ingredients.

• 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 oz tomato sauce
• ½ cup ketchup (use low-sugar or natural ketchup if preferred)
• 1 to 4 tablespoons brown sugar (adjust to taste)
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• Black pepper, to taste
• Hamburger buns, for serving
• Sliced pickles, optional topping

Tip: You can swap the brown sugar for a drizzle of honey or use less for a more savory taste.

How to Make Sloppy Joes from Scratch

1. Make the sauce. In a medium bowl or measuring cup, mix the tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Set aside.
2. Cook the garlic and meat. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a little olive oil and sauté the garlic for about a minute. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain the excess grease.
3. Add the sauce. Pour the sauce into the pan with the meat. Stir well to combine.
4. Simmer. Let the mixture simmer over low heat for at least 10 minutes. Stir now and then. The longer it simmers, the better the flavor.
5. Serve. Spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture onto hamburger buns. Add pickles if you like. Enjoy!

Want to Add More Flavor?

For a heartier Sloppy Joe, try this:

• Dice half an onion and half a bell pepper.
• Sauté in olive oil until soft before cooking the ground beef.
• Mix the veggies back in when you add the sauce.

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe Option

Want to make these in the slow cooker?

1. Brown the meat with garlic, then drain.
2. Add meat and sauce ingredients to the slow cooker.
3. Stir, cover, and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours.
4. Stir before serving.

Great for busy days when you want dinner ready and warm!

Creative Ways to Use Sloppy Joe Meat

Besides serving it on buns, try these fun ideas:

• Spoon over tater tots and bake (like a casserole)
• Add to mac and cheese
• Use as a filling for quesadillas or grilled cheese
• Top baked potatoes
• Serve over French fries with cheese
• Stir into nachos or even queso dip
• Stuff into bell peppers and bake

Tips for the Best Homemade Sloppy Joes

• Use quality ketchup. Natural or low-sugar ketchup works best.
• Adjust sweetness. Start with less sugar and add more if needed.
• Simmer longer. More time means richer flavor. Add water if it gets too thick.
• Add vegetables. Bell peppers and onions add flavor and nutrition.
• Leftovers?. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for later.

Homemade Sloppy Joe

This Easy Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe is made with real ingredients and ready in just 20 minutes. It’s rich, flavorful, and perfect for a quick family dinner. Say goodbye to canned sauce and hello to this delicious from-scratch version everyone will love!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4 sandwiches

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 258

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Sloppy Joe Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 8 oz tomato sauce
• 0.5 cup ketchup use low-sugar or natural ketchup if preferred
• 1 to 4 tablespoons brown sugar adjust to taste
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.25 teaspoon onion powder
• to taste black pepper freshly ground
• 4 hamburger buns
• optional sliced pickles for topping

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Measuring cup
• Wooden spoon

Method

 

1. In a medium bowl or measuring cup, stir together the tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Set aside.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add a bit of olive oil and sauté the minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Add ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease.
4. Pour the sauce into the skillet with the meat. Stir to combine and reduce heat to low.
5. Let the mixture simmer for at least 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Simmer longer for deeper flavor.
6. Serve the meat mixture on hamburger buns. Add pickles if desired.

Notes

If you prefer a more savory Sloppy Joe, reduce the brown sugar or substitute with honey. To add more flavor and nutrition, sauté diced onions and bell peppers before cooking the meat. Simmer longer for richer taste. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for later.