Sloppy Joes Recipe

Easy and flavorful sloppy joes — ground beef simmered in a tangy, slightly sweet tomato sauce and served on toasted buns. A quick, family-friendly comfort food ready in about 30 minutes.

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: sloppy joes, sandwich, ground beef, comfort food, quick dinner

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 30

Servings: sandwiches

Calories: 560kcal

Ingredients

1 lb 450 g ground beef (80/20)
1 small onion finely chopped
1/2 green bell pepper finely chopped (optional)
2 cloves garlic minced
1 cup 240 ml tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup 60 ml ketchup
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil if using lean beef
4 –6 hamburger buns
Optional: sliced pickles shredded cheddar, chopped parsley

Instructions

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil if using lean beef.
Add chopped onion and bell pepper; sauté 3–4 minutes until softened.
Stir in minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add ground beef, break into pieces, and brown until no pink remains (5–7 minutes).
Drain excess fat if desired, leaving a tablespoon for flavor.
Reduce heat to medium and stir in tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard.
Add smoked paprika, salt, and pepper; mix thoroughly to combine.
Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, then lower heat and cook 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed (more sugar for sweetness, vinegar for tang, or salt).
Lightly toast hamburger buns, spoon hot sloppy joe mixture onto bottom buns, top with pickles or cheese, and cover with top bun.
Serve immediately while warm; garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

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