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Easy Homemade Sloppy Joes

Easy homemade sloppy joe sandwich on a toasted hamburger bun with saucy ground beef and pickle slices.
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Skip the canned sauce and make these Easy Homemade Sloppy Joes from scratch in just 30 minutes! This family-friendly recipe is rich, tangy, perfectly saucy, and made with simple pantry staples for an easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 TBSP butter
  • ½ cup finely diced yellow onion OR 1½ tsp onion powder
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
  • 1 TBSP tomato paste
  • ⅔ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 TBSP light brown sugar
  • 2 tsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

For Serving

  • 4–6 hamburger buns, toasted
  • Dill pickle slices (optional)
  • Sliced American, cheddar, or pepper jack cheese (optional)

Instructions

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
  • If using fresh onion, add it to the skillet with the butter and cook for 3–4 minutes, or until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • If using onion powder, simply stir the butter into the cooked beef, then add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the onion powder with the remaining seasonings in the next step.
  • Stir in the paprika, onion powder (if using), salt, and black pepper.
  • Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  • Stir in the ketchup, water, brown sugar, yellow mustard, and Worcestershire sauce until well combined.
  • Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in the apple cider vinegar.
  • Spoon onto toasted hamburger buns and top with cheese, if desired.

Notes

  • My family prefers onion powder because they don’t enjoy the texture of diced onions, but both options produce a delicious homemade sloppy joe.
  • Toasting the buns helps prevent them from becoming soggy.
  • For a saucier sloppy joe, stir in an additional 1–2 tablespoons of water before serving.
  • Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Freeze the cooled sloppy joe filling for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce after reheating.
  • Serve with potato chips, French fries, baked beans, coleslaw, macaroni salad, or potato salad.
  • For my family I at least double or triple this recipe with the intention of freezing the leftovers!

Find it online: https://ourgratefulkitchen.com/easy-homemade-sloppy-joes/