Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy my favorite sloppy joe recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H. We’re talking Sloppy Joes! Sloppy Joes are easy to make and hit all those spots that need comforting. And, when you make them like I do, you can spice them up as much as you’d like. Sloppy Joes are an American classic, definitely a favorite. Better than the Cuban Sandwich? The Juicy Lucy Burger? Never heard of a sloppy joe? I ate them a lot growing up. You’ll often find it made from a can, with Manwich being a popular brand. When you make it at home, you can not only spice it up as I’ve mentioned, but you can balance things out to your own preference. Want more brown sugar? Go for it! Less vinegar? Your choice. Personally, I love adding in a few additional seasonings along with spicy chili peppers to get it to where I love it, but that’s me! I’m sure you’ll love this as much as we do. Let’s talk about how to make Sloppy Joes! You may need a bit more time if you’re making a larger batch. Cook the Ground Beef. Add ground beef and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often, until the beef is cooked through. Drain excess fat if desired. If you’re using 80-20 beef, you may have some excess fat. You can leave it in for flavor, no problem, but it will results in looser Sloppy Joes. This is your Sloppy Joe sauce. Stir and simmer at least 5 minutes to bring the flavors together. If your sauce is too thin, cook a bit longer to thicken. You can easily simmer longer to let the flavors develop even more. Serving Time! Serve up your Sloppy Joes on your favorite buns! Sloppy Joe sandwiches are the best. Everyone loves them. Less Spicy Version. If you want a “no heat” version, go with green peppers (bell peppers). It will be just as tasty and savory. The Meat. I’m using lean ground beef here, but if you’re looking for a lower calorie version, try it out with ground turkey. I’ve made this with ground turkey and it tastes great. Ground chicken is very good, too. Consider using a mix of ground beef and Mexican chorizo for a spicier version. So god!
Get Thick Buns
This recipe is a bit like a thick no-beans chili. Serve this up on thick buns. Hamburger buns are usually fine. Make sure the buns ARE thick, because, you know, Sloppy Joes can be SLOPPY. No joke. But very tasty! Toasting the buns also helps keep them from getting soggy.
Double the Recipe
You can very easily double this recipe by doubling all of the ingredients exactly. Simmer in a very large pot! Add the remaining ingredients and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 3-4 hours. Enjoy!
Sloppy Joe Pasta. Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese. Sloppy Joe Tacos. Top them with chopped tomato, roasted or pickled jalapenos, and shredded cheese! Sloppy Joe Hot Dog. Use it to top your favorite beef dog. Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese. Use the best melty cheese and nicely buttered bread.
You can also freeze the Sloppy Joe meat for 3 months or longer. NOTE: This recipe was updated on 11/28/22 to include new information and photos. It was originally published on 12/27/16.
