Best Damn Homemade Sloppy Joes

These Best Damn Homemade Sloppy Joes kick canned sauce to the curb! With a homemade sauce that’s packed with great flavor and pantry staples, this delicious recipe turns messy into magnificent. Whip it up for dinner tonight for some next-level sloppy joe goodness.

The Ultimate Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe

You gotta love a recipe that uses ingredients you always have on hand! And no, that doesn’t include a store-bought sauce that’s loaded with sugar and preservatives. To make the best sloppy joe recipe, using simple but, most importantly, real ingredients is key.

This is the kind of savory-sweet magic that sticks to your ribs…and your memories! With their unforgettable flavor and crowd-pleasing charm, these Sloppy Joes are sure to satisfy your picky eaters while still wowing grown-up taste buds. Just like my Best Damn Skillet Taco Pasta or Best Damn Air Fryer Meatball Subs—no fancy tricks, just the kind of ground beef recipes that turn pantry staples into something truly special.

Enjoy these bad boys between toasted buns, over a bed of rice, or even on top of hot dogs for the ultimate sloppy joe experience!

Made with Real Ingredients

• Ground Beef: I like to use 85% lean ground beef as a more heart-healthy option. 
• Ketchup: The main tomato base for this recipe. I use ketchup instead of regular tomato sauce since all the flavors we want are already in the ketchup.
• Steak sauce: I like to use A1, which gives the meat sauce that nice deep, savory, and beefy flavor. 
• Veggies: Onion and sweet bell pepper (red or green) will make the sloppy joe filling heartier and add more texture.
• Tomato paste: Supports the ketchup, deepening the rich tomato flavor!
• Apple cider vinegar: Punches up the vibrance and gives us that nice acidic bite that brings the flavor to life.
• Worcestershire sauce: This will help deepen all the delicious, savory flavors.
• Brown sugar & honey: A little brown sugar and honey sweetens things up to get that perfect blend of sweet and savory. Honey also adds thickness to the sauce.
• Yellow mustard: Adds more bite and flavor to the homemade sloppy joe sauce.
• Seasoning blend: Onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper are our main seasonings, which, of course, are good on just about anything!
• Hamburger buns: If you’re going for classic Sloppy Joes, make sure you’ve got some hamburger buns on hand!

Preparation

Start by dicing the pepper and onion and set aside.

Next, add all the liquid ingredients to a medium bowl and whisk them all together. It will begin to take on that sloppy joe sauce color you know and love.

Cooking

Add the ground beef and the diced pepper and onions to a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Cook until the meat has browned and the onions and peppers have softened up a bit. You can hit the ground meat mixture with some salt and pepper to taste as you’re browning the meat. 

Once everything is browned, add the sauce and stir it in well.

Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover for about 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the cover and continue to simmer for maybe 5 minutes or until the desired consistency is reached.

Ready to Serve

Your sloppy joe meat is now ready! Heap the meat mixture onto some hamburger buns. Make sure you grab plenty of napkins. Things are going to get deliciously messy!

The Perfect Sides for This Delicious Sloppy Joe Recipe

No Sloppy Joe is complete without the perfect sidekick! For that irresistible crunch, you can’t go wrong with potato chips or my Air Fryer Homestyle French Fries—the ultimate comfort duo. Want something with a sweet twist? Try my Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges for a caramelized contrast to the savory joes.

If you’re leaning lighter, a fresh side salad cuts through the richness, while classic coleslaw adds creamy tang and crunch. And for picnics or potlucks? This Easy Instant Pot Potato Salad brings that cool, creamy balance. Mix and match—these sides turn your Sloppy Joe into a feast!

How to Store & Reheat

Have extra filling? Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a little water or broth to prevent drying out.

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