Best Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe

Our quick and easy homemade sloppy joes have the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy, just as you’d expect from this childhood classic. With our easy to follow directions, step-by-step photos, and tips for sloppy joe success, you’ll have this fun and messy meal on your table in no time. It’s sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike!

Who doesn’t love a good ol’ sloppy joe (*insert Billy Madison meme here*). This nostalgic dish is a classic for a reason! But there’s no need to get a can of sauce when you can easily make an even better version at home.

My husband grew up eating sloppy joes nearly every Saturday when his dad was in charge of lunch, so has a soft spot for this dish. And after throughout testing, he’s confirmed whole-heartedly that our homemade version hits the spot in all the right ways.

What is a Sloppy Joe?

A classic sloppy joe refers to a messy-to-eat sandwich filled with a mixture made from ground beef, onion, and tomato-based sauce served on a hamburger bun. The origins of this dish is attributed to a chef named Joe out of Sioux City, Iowa in the 1930s who added tomato sauce to the popular “loose meat sandwich” of the time.

You’ll find different versions of the classic throughout the country. Rhode Island’s “dynamite” is similar to the classic sloppy joe but often includes more veggies like bell peppers and onions. Iowa’s famous “maid-rite” sandwich is often considered similar to the classic, but this version has a distinct flavor profile and is made without the tomato sauce. New Jersey has their own version of a sloppy joe, which is a very different kind of sandwich all together.

Other popular names for classic sloppy joes include slushburgers, spoonburgers, steamers, wimpies, yum yums, sloppy janes, Manwich, and a tavern sandwich.

Homemade Sloppy Joe Ingredients

• Ground Beef. Beef is the standard base of any classic sloppy joe. We like to an 85/15 blend best (this is a great all-around blend for many recipes). If you’d prefer a leaner variety, try 90/10. Or lean in with a version with a higher fat content.
• Tomato sauce AND ketchup. Our recipe uses a mixture of tomato sauce and ketchup to create the perfect tomato-based sauce.
• Worcestershire sauce. Adds depth of flavor to our sauce, as well as balances out the sweetness of the ketchup and brown sugar.
• Yellow mustard. Just a little mustard adds that pop of acid and tang our sauce needs for a well-rounded sauce.
• Garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper. We’re using a combination of simple spices to flavor our sauce.
• Brown sugar. A little brown sugar goes a long way in the sauce, adding that rich hint of sweetness and balancing out the tanginess of the tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard.

See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for ingredient measurements and full directions.

How to Make Homemade Sloppy Joes

In a medium or large skillet over medium-high heat, brown your ground beef, breaking it down into small crumbles, until no pink remains (this will take about 7-10 minutes). Strain off any fat/excess liquid.

Reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the pan with the browned beef, sautéing until the garlic is fragrant (about 30-seconds to 1 minute).

Add the tomato sauce and ketchup to the pan, stirring it into the meat while also working to scrape any brown bits off the bottom of the pan (we’re using the acid from the tomatoes to help us deglaze our pan!).

Add the remaining ingredients (Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, brown sugar, onion powder, salt, and pepper) to the pan and stir to combine.

Simmer over low heat for 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld, until the sauce it thickened to your liking. If needed, add 1-2 Tablespoons of water to the sauce during this process.

Serve and enjoy! See the ‘How to Serve’ and ‘Best Sides’ sections below for tips.

Best Sloppy Joe Recipe Variations

Make it spicy. Some folks prefer a spicier sloppy joe, and that’s totally cool. Just add a dash of hot sauce or sriracha into your sauce as it simmers.

Use fresh onion and/or add some bell pepper to you mixture. Like the texture of onions in your sloppy joes? Always had it with some peppers in it? Great. Simply dice and sauté half of a medium yellow or white onion and/or half of any color of bell pepper with a little oil before you brown your meat.

Try our lentil sloppy joes for a delicious meatless version! In my decade as a vegetarian, I mastered our lentil version. And although we have meat incorporated back into our diet, we still love and make the meatless version often. Even meat lovers enjoy this recipe (it surprised my aunt based in rural Minnesota that my uncle and several cousins preferred it to her regular version that she had made as a backup in case the lentil version didn’t go over well… if my uncle loved it, then your meat-loving friend or partner likely will too).

Possible Dietary Restrictions? Notes for Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Eaters

As written, this recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free! However, there are a few things to consider when serving this to someone with a food allergy or restriction:

• Most Worcestershire sauces are gluten-free, but if serving to someone with celiac, be sure to double-check the ingredients on the label to ensure no wheat or barley was included. The same goes for any of your ingredients.
• Be sure to provide a style of bun for serving that meets your dietary needs. Gluten-free hamburger bun varieties may be easier to find than dairy-free ones. If needed, there are a lot of dairy-free bun recipes on the internet that you could try.

Best Sides for Sloppy Joes

Serve your sloppy joes with one (or more!) of the following sides to round out your meal:

• Steamed or roasted veggies like green beans, broccoli, or peas. We often will grab one of those frozen steamer veggie packs if we’re in a rush!
• Green salad. Keep it simple with greens and your favorite dressing, grab your favorite bagged salad, or make something fun and fancy.
• Veggie salads. Try serving this alongside our old-fashioned cucumber salad or our caprese green bean and tomato salad for a different kind of veggie side.
• Creamy coleslaw. A classic and delicious pairing with this dish!
• Carrot sticks. Cut up some fresh carrot sticks or grabs some baby carrots for an easy and crunchy side.
• Potato chips. Regular, sweet potato, BBQ… whatever your favorite flavor may be, chips add a nice crunch to your meal.
• Any of your favorite summer BBQ side dishes (check out our 101 4th of July Cookout Recipes Roundup for ideas!)

Storing and Reheating Leftover Sloppy Joes

Store fully-cooled sloppy joe filling in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat portions in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.

You can also freeze sloppy joe filling! Portion the fully cooked and cooled sloppy joe mixture into labeled zip-top bags and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, allow to thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat in the microwave or on the stove.