You won’t believe how unbelievably fast, easy, and tasty this Sloppy Joe Recipe is! My recipe is 100% from-scratch (no ketchup!) for the best sloppy joes you’ve ever had. Makes a great weeknight dinner! Recipe includes a how-to video.
Quick & Easy Sloppy Joes
Skip the stuff in the can and make this homemade sloppy joe recipe instead! Sloppy joes are a favorite easy weeknight meal in my house, and I figured it was about time to share my recipe with you. My version comes together in under 30 minutes AND is made completely from scratch (and without ketchup!). Serve it with a side of coleslaw or broccoli salad and you’ve got yourself a filling dinner!
I use several key ingredients in my sloppy joes including smoked paprika (remember this from my chicken and rice soup?), ground mustard, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and worcestershire sauce. The end result is perfectly balanced–just a touch smokey, the right balance of savory and sweet, satisfying and just so delicious.
My sloppy joe recipe is:
- Fast: ready in just 25 minutes.
- Simple: everything cooks in one pan!
- Plentiful: feeds six people.
- Kid-friendly: not too spicy and perfectly sweet.
- Homemade: no pre-made sauce or seasoning packets here!
What You Need
I prefer to make my sloppy joes without ketchup, so you won’t see that in the photo above. Instead, you’ll notice:
- Tomato paste. Some recipes use tomato sauce or ketchup, but I like to use tomato paste instead for huge depth of flavor. I like to use double-concentrated if I can find it.
- Peppers and onions. These round out the flavor of the sloppy joes. I used a red bell pepper, but you could certainly use green bell pepper instead.
- Spices. Including smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, and black pepper. If you don’t have mustard powder, you can use a teaspoon of prepared yellow mustard instead.
- Worcestershire sauce. A classic sloppy joe ingredient!
- Ground beef. Ground turkey or chicken can work too. And yes, the ground beef in the photo above is frozen, but I made sure it was thawed completely before cooking it.
SAM’S TIP: Beef broth is my preference for sloppy joes, but you can chicken broth or even my homemade chicken stock instead.
Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
How to Make Sloppy Joes
- Cook the onion and pepper until softened, then add the ground beef and cook until browned.
- Stir in the spices.
- Add the tomato paste, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and worcestershire, then drizzle in the broth.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes until reduced and thickened.
SAM’S TIP: 4 tablespoons (or ¼ cup) may seem like a lot of sugar, but keep in mind that the average sloppy joe recipe uses sugar and ketchup (which contains quite a bit of sugar!). I typically use all 4 tablespoons called for, but you can start with just 3 tablespoons and then taste-test to see if you need the last tablespoon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Just like my homemade BBQ sauce, we’re skipping the ketchup today to avoid the additives and take control over the flavor. I promise you won’t miss it!
After adding all ingredients, let the sauce simmer and continue to cook without a lid. It will reduce and thicken this way without the need for thickeners like cornstarch.
Potato salad, macaroni salad, corn salad, are all great warm weather options. If you’re looking for a cozier side, steamed veggies and baked mac and cheese would pair well too! And of course, you can’t go wrong with salty of french fries or kettle chips!
This sloppy joe recipe tastes great on homemade burger buns or even potato buns, if you’re in the baking mood too 😊
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe and video below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
The Best Sloppy Joe Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup finely chopped yellow onion about ½ a medium onion
- ½ cup finely chopped red bell pepper
- 1 lb ground beef I like to use 90%
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard or 1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup (121 g) tomato paste 4 oz
- 3-4 Tablespoons light brown sugar firmly packed
- 3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon worcestershire sauce (may substitute coconut aminos)
- ½ cup (118 ml) chicken broth beef broth, or water
- Burger buns for serving
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.1 Tablespoon olive oil
- Add onion and pepper and cook until softened.½ cup finely chopped yellow onion, ½ cup finely chopped red bell pepper
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, crumbling as you cook. Drain off excess grease if needed.1 lb ground beef
- Add spices (smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder (or mustard), salt and pepper) and stir into the beef.1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon ground mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Add tomato paste, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and worcestershire and stir until well-combined.½ cup (121 g) tomato paste, 3-4 Tablespoons light brown sugar, 3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 Tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- Drizzle in broth or water.½ cup (118 ml) chicken broth
- Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 10-15 minutes.
- Serve warm on buns.Burger buns
Notes
Beef
You may substitute ground chicken or ground turkey for the ground beef.Sugar
This may seem like a lot of sugar, but keep in mind most sloppy joe recipes add ketchup, which contains quite a bit of sugar, in addition to also typically adding more sugar on top of that. I typically use all 4 tablespoons called for, but you can start with just 3 Tablespoons and then taste-test after step 6 and add the last tablespoon if desired.Broth/water
Beef broth will yield the richest flavor, chicken stock works well, and water is my least favorite (least flavor) but will absolutely work and yield tasty results if you have neither beef or chicken broth.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Terri
Everyone here agrees this is delicious and way better than the one that rhymes with panwitch.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
😆 We are so happy to hear it, Terri!
Bruce
I just made another change to this wonderful recipe, and this time it’s for convenience. I don’t usually have a red bell pepper. I discovered that there are roasted red bell peppers in a jar available. I used one, and its roasted flavor nicely complemented the smoked paprika (which I forgot to cut back on this time, and can’t taste it like I did before). I’m going to make sure I always have a jar of them on hand for this and your other recipes that call for them.
Terri
Hi Bruce, I’m a fan of jarred roasted reds. In case you aren’t familiar, once opened they mold quickly even in the fridge. I portion and freeze them which is fine for cooking. Not so much on a sandwich.
Grammy
Excellent and soooooo easy
Callie
Delicious. The secret ingredient is definitely the smoked paprika!
Margaret
Loved this recipe and it will definitely be my “go to” for sloppy joes from now on!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Margaret! 🙂
Bruce
Don’t worry, I didn’t use 2 Tbl of smoked paprika. What I meant to say was that next time I’ll try 3/4 tsp smoked paprika. I had my mind on tablespoons because of the sugar and vinegar (and I’m old).
Bruce
For about 69 years (since I started on table foods), I have been eating sloppy joes my mom’s way, which is simply ground beef, onion, and ketchup. I’ve always liked them, and never thought I would change. Over about the past 2 years, though, I’ve started finding them too sweet, so, of course, I decided to try your recipe.
It is definitely my new sloppy joe recipe, after I make one adjustment for my taste. I love smoked paprika (and it’s great in your chili), but in this recipe, I’m tasting paprika separately from the other flavors, and I don’t care for it.
One of the many things about your recipes is that your seasonings are always subtle and perfectly blended — you know they’re there, but they don’t stand out. This time, the paprika (and just the paprika in it, not the smoke) is standing out.
So, the next time I make these, I’ll try 1 1/2 Tbl of smoked paprika and see how it goes.
Another thing about me is that I don’t measure onions and peppers. I just chop and dump. But, out of respect for you, and the fact that your recipe was perfected using 1/2 cup of each, I did measure (and got to eat about 1/4 of my small red pepper). In the future, I probably won’t, because that’s just how I am.
Because of finding my old way too sweet, I went with 3 Tbl of brown sugar, and it was exactly the right amount. To add to that, I can actually slightly taste it, so it is contributing more than just sweetness.
Sam
I’m so glad this one was such a hit for you! It’s nice that it’s so easy to customize with just a few tweaks to the spices as well. 🙂
Bruce
I just made these again, and 1/2 tsp of smoked paprika was exactly right. The spices are now wonderfully balanced for my palate.
While making them, I remembered that the last time, I couldn’t find my Worcesteshire sauce, so I just left it out. I used it this time, and it does make a difference. The best thing about these sloppy joes is the variety of tastes you experience while eating them, which doesn’t happen with my mother’s beef, onion, ketchup version, or with the canned sauce Various flavors can be detected, but they all balance nicely.
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Bruce! 🙂
Allison
I just wanted to say how much I appreciate how you wrote the recipe! I cook off my phone so not having to scroll up and down for ingredient amounts while following the steps is so helpful. I also appreciate that this is one of the few recipes I could find with no ketchup 🙂 thank you!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Allison! 🙂
Elissa Stone
This was delicious! I’ll definitely make this again. Goodbye canned sloppy joe sauce!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Elissa! 🙂
Valerie
Made 14# of this for a family party today & it was a hit! All who tried it raved & said I can bring it again next time!!! (I adjusted the process for the crock pot & cooked it overnight…the flavors melded beautifully! Thanks for a winner recipe…it’s a keeper!
Sam
That’s a lot! I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much! 🙂
DB
This is the best sloppy joe recipe that exists. I’m making it weekly. The kids love it and it heats up well for leftovers and doesn’t get mushy. Also, it’s good with just a spoon and crackers.
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoys it so much! 🙂
Jennifer Smith
Another go to favorite for my family. Such an easy weeknight meal especially those nights when we all eat at different times. Love your recipes Sam! This is my go to site when I need a recipe for dinner or potluck that I can count on.
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoys it so much, Jennifer! 🙂
DB
This is REALLY REALLY good and is my go to sloppy joe recipe.
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoy it so much! 🙂
Randi
Love it! Prepped all ingredients prior to beginning to cook (chopping, mixing dry spices, mixing wet flavorings). Process was simple, fast, and delicious!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
That’s the best way to do it! We’re so happy you enjoyed our recipe, Randi 🩷
Bernadette Brinsko
I am so impressed by the step by step process with the amount and ingredient listed as well! I’m making this shortly and just reviewing the instructions and had to comment how nice and easy this make it!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Bernadette! 🙂
Bernadette Brinsko
Made this to take to a superbowl party. It was truly a hit. Kept in warm in a crockpot during the entire party. Did not dry out. My husband was hoping for leftovers which he did not get! Thanks for a great recipe.
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Bernadette! 🙂
Tiffany
My family says it’s a Hit!! I’m excited to make some for my Church Family next! Very flavorful!
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Tiffany! 🙂
Theresa
Made these for the family and my youngest asked for seconds! So delicious and so flavorful! New family favorite!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy it was a hit! Enjoy 😊