🍔 Homemade Sloppy Joes

A classic, hearty Homemade Sloppy Joe made with seasoned ground beef, onions, green bell pepper, and a rich, tangy tomato sauce. It’s easy, budget-friendly, and perfect for a quick family dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 1 small green bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup water or beef broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil, if needed
• 6 hamburger buns
• Optional: sliced cheddar cheese, pickles, or extra diced onions

Instructions

1. Brown the beef:
   Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned. Drain excess grease if necessary.
2. Cook the vegetables:
   Add the diced onion and green bell pepper. Cook for about 4–5 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
3. Make the sauce:
   Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, pepper, and water or beef broth.
4. Simmer:
   Reduce the heat to low and let everything simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should become thick and glossy and coat the beef nicely.
5. Taste and adjust:
   Taste the Sloppy Joe mixture. Add a little more brown sugar for sweetness, vinegar or mustard for tanginess, or salt and pepper as needed.
6. Toast the buns:
   Lightly butter the hamburger buns and toast them in a skillet or oven until golden.
7. Serve:
   Spoon a generous amount of the hot Sloppy Joe mixture onto the toasted buns. Add cheddar cheese, pickles, or diced onions if desired.

🍽️ Servings

6 sandwiches

⏱️ Prep & Cooking Time

• Prep: 10 minutes
• Cook: 25 minutes
• Total: 35 minutes

⭐ Tip for the Best Sloppy Joes

For a thicker, richer filling like the one in your photo, let the meat mixture simmer 5–10 minutes longer after adding the sauce. This allows the flavors to develop and prevents the sandwich from becoming too watery.

Serving idea: Pair with crispy French fries, potato wedges, coleslaw, or a simple green salad for an easy comfort-food dinner.

ENJOY