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    You are here: Home / Recipes / Dinner

    Homemade Sloppy Joes

    Published: Jan 8, 2018 · Modified: Apr 7, 2020 by Susie Weinrich · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Homemade Sloppy Joes Pinterest

    I love Sloppy Joes, it’s a dinner that I ate a lot growing up in Iowa. It is a common recipe, sometimes called a Maid Rite if you’re from the midwest, yet it varies widely from home to home.

    At my house a Sloppy Joe is ground beef and onions with a savory and tangy sauce that has a hint of sweetness. Most of the ingredients are probably in the door of your fridge right now.

    The best part is it all gets heaped onto a bun- super casual, super messy, and super tasty!

    Homemade Sloppy Joe Sandwich with the bun to the side, pickles in the background

    Make Homemade Sloppy Joes Your Own

    Of course I think this recipe is perfect just the way it is. But, here are a few ideas to change it up to suit your taste buds:

    • Lighten things up by using ground turkey instead of ground beef.
    • Want just a hint of BBQ flavor? Reduce the ketchup to ¼ cup and add a ¼ cup of your favorite barbecue sauce.
    • If you like spice you could add a few pinches of red pepper flakes with the onion and garlic.
    • Sometime (always) I like to eat mine with hamburger dill chips…. it made my mouth water just to type that- HA!
    • Melt a slice of provolone or american cheese over the top.
    Homemade Sloppy Joe ground beef mixture in a skillet with a spatula and a napkin to the side

    Homemade Sloppy Joes for Dinner

    This is really a casual dinner… and a messy one, but I love it! We usually serve this diner style with tater tots, fries, or chips and some raw veggies with dip.

    If you want to fancy it up a bit you could serve these delicious Parmesan Truffle Fries from Lauren at Hunger Thirst Play.

    In the summer Sloppy Joes go great with a cold pasta salad, corn on the cob, and my chocolate cake for dessert.

    Whatever you serve on the side just make sure to have A LOT of napkins!

    Homemade Sloppy Joe Sandwich with the bun tilted to the side and the ground beef mixture spilling over the front

    Sloppy Joes + Pickles = True Love Forever

    I decided to have lunch and a photo shoot at the same time! I couldn’t help it – as soon as I got the pickles out it was over!

    Now this is how you eat a Sloppy Joe:

    Half a Homemade Sloppy Joe Sandwich with pickles and potato chips to the side

    I hope you give my Homemade Sloppy Joe recipe a try in your kitchen!

    Love, Susie

    Homemade Sloppy Joe Sandwiches Pinterest Image

    Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe


    Homemade Sloppy Joe Sandwich

    Homemade Sloppy Joes

    Sloppy Joes are a classic recipe that is made of ground beef mixed with a sweet, tangy, and savory sauce. Pile the Sloppy Joe filling high on a bun, add some pickles and dinner is ready! 
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 6 people
    Author: Susie Weinrich

    Ingredients

    • 1½ lb ground beef
    • 1 tablespoon oil
    • 1 cup yellow onion finely diced
    • 3 garlic cloves minced
    • 2 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
    • 3 tablespoon brown sugar
    • ½ heaping cup ketchup
    • 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • pepper to taste
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    Instructions

    • Add the oil to a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook the ground beef, crumbling, until cooked thru, about 7 minutes.
    • Drain the fat off of the cooked beef and set aside.
    • In the same skillet, over medium heat, add the onions and garlic and saute, until the onions are translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
    • Add the beef back to the onions and stir to combine.
    • Over low heat add the worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, salt and pepper. Stir to distribute the sauce evenly.
    • Pile high onto buns and serve. (we like brioche buns the best)

    Notes:

    If you are making this ahead and reheating you will need to add a few tablespoon of water. It will help loosen up the mixture and redistribute the sauce.
    Did you try this recipe? Connect with me & let me know how it turned out by commenting below!
    Jump to Comments

    If nutrition facts are provided they are calculated as an estimate to the best of our knowledge.

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    About Susie Weinrich

    Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Deborah Gulker

      December 13, 2020 at 1:01 pm

      Best sloppy Joe recipe I have ever made. We loved it!

      Reply
      • Susie Weinrich

        December 14, 2020 at 7:57 am

        High praise!! Thats great!

        Reply
    2. Mia

      October 20, 2019 at 5:20 pm

      5 stars
      This one is a repeat in our rotation! Love it !

      Reply
      • Susie

        October 21, 2019 at 7:20 am

        I’m so glad you love it! Thank you for commenting and rating!

        Reply
    3. Emily Bruno

      December 06, 2018 at 9:41 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is a keeper for sure!

      Reply
    4. Tawnie Kroll

      December 03, 2018 at 10:56 am

      5 stars
      I loved how tasty and easy these were to make, such a great weeknight dinner! Thank you!

      Reply
    5. John

      August 12, 2018 at 4:38 pm

      5 stars
      So good….reminds me of growing up!

      Reply
      • Susie

        August 12, 2018 at 11:25 pm

        It is a nostalgic recipe for sure

        Reply

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