Sloppy Joe

Making sloppy joe from scratch is actually way easier than you might think. You only need 8 ingredients and about 25 minutes to get this affordable dinner on the table.

Why this recipe works

Sloppy joes are a family favorite dinner recipe that comes together using simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. That’s why I featured it in my round up of 30 ground beef dinners ready in 30 minutes!

Ground beef, onion, bell pepper, brown sugar, mustard, ketchup, and spices are mixed together and sandwiched between a bun. Want to switch it up a bit? Try our Sloppy Joe Pasta version where we swap out the bun with some pasta!

RELATED: you might also like this recipe – Bacon Sloppy Joes

Ingredients you will need

How to Make Sloppy Joes

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, onion, and green pepper; drain off liquids.
2. Stir in the garlic powder, mustard, ketchup, and brown sugar; mix thoroughly. Reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. If the meat begins to dry out during the simmer step, you can loosen it up with some water. Season with salt and pepper and serve on hamburger buns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sloppy joe will freeze well. Allow the meat mixture to cool completely before adding to a freezer container or storage bag. Can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw sloppy joes and heat in the microwave, or in a skillet on medium-low heat. A little water can be added to loosen the mixture if needed.

Sloppy Joe sandwiches go great with french fries, sweet potato fries, or macaroni and cheese.

Believe it or now, sloppy joe goes great with pasta! Try our Sloppy Joe Pasta one night this week, or if you need a snack or appetizer, these sloppy joe cornbread muffins are delicious and fun!

This homemade sloppy joe recipe beats the canned version out of the park. Serve them up alongside some air fried sweet potato fries, homemade baked beans, or baked mac and cheese!

More Ground Beef Recipes

• Shepherd’s Pie
• Instant Pot Sloppy Joe
• Ground Beef Casserole
• The Best Meatloaf
• John Wayne Casserole
• Ground Beef Stroganoff

Looking for more ground beef ideas? See our collection of 90 best ground beef recipes here.

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