Homemade Sloppy Joes

Our favorite Sloppy Joes – made completely from scratch! This recipe features ground beef, onions, and green peppers in a tangy, tomato-based sauce made without ketchup. The perfect balance of savory and sweet… once you go homemade, you’ll never go back!

Growing up, Sloppy Joes were definitely a thing. Not so much for dinners, but for family get togethers with lots of people. I distinctly remember my mom making a BIG pot of them… and come to think of it, I’m pretty sure my grandma did, too. So when I think of Sloppy Joes, I think of childhood.

Interestingly enough, I haven’t made them much as an adult. So when I attempted my first “homemade” version, I was sorely disappointed. Because they tasted nothing like how I had remembered them!

To be fair, my mom’s recipe wasn’t completely from scratch. But it was definitely way more savory than sweet. And the first way I tried them… with ketchup… was definitely more sweet than savory. Not at all what I was looking for.

So I went back to the drawing board, starting with tomato sauce and water, and added flavors (and sweetness) as I went. I knew I needed some tang, so I added apple cider vinegar and mustard, and I knew I needed some depth so I added Worcestershire sauce and tomato paste.

As for the sweetness, it turns out all I really wanted or needed was a tiny bit of brown sugar. Of course, the nice thing about making them from scratch is that you can add more or less of any of the ingredients according to your family’s tastes. Which is why… at the end of the day… Homemade Sloppy Joes are where it’s at!

what you’ll need for this recipe

Ground beef – Ground beef is the base of this recipe (substitute ground turkey or ground chicken if you prefer.) I used 2 pounds of 80/20 ground beef, but you can also use a leaner variety.

Onion, pepper & garlic – I added onion, green pepper, and minced garlic for flavor and texture, but I knew I didn’t want them to overpower the ground beef so I kept it to a minimum. I used about 1/2 cup finely chopped onion, 1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper, and 4 cloves of garlic. (Use more or less to taste.)

Tomato sauce – One large (15 ounce) can of tomato sauce is the main ingredient in the sauce, creating a solid tomato base for layering additional flavors.

Tomato paste – Tomato paste adds deeper, savory tomato flavor to the sauce. I used 2 Tablespoons tomato paste, which can be purchased in a small can OR in a tube.

Apple cider vinegar – Apple cider vinegar adds tanginess and a hint of sweetness to the sauce. I used 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar. Feel free to substitute another type of vinegar, such as white vinegar, white wine vinegar, or rice wine vinegar.

Worcestershire sauce – Worcestershire sauce adds deeply savory, umami flavor to the sauce. I added 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire.

Brown sugar – Brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness, and can be added slowly to desired taste. I used 2 Tablespoons, but feel free to use less or more. You can also omit it altogether for more savory Sloppy Joes.

Yellow mustard – Yellow mustard adds additional tangy, savory flavor and balance to the sauce. I added 1 Tablespoon.

Chili powder – 2 teaspoons chili powder add depth and flavor. For a spicier sauce, use chipotle chili powder.

Salt & pepper – A pinch of salt & pepper bring out all the other delicious flavors in the sauce. I used 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

how to make sloppy joes

Sauté the vegetables. Heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, green peppers, and garlic. Sauté 3-5 minutes or until vegetables are tender and starting to brown.

Brown the ground beef. Add the ground beef and cook, crumbling, until completely browned (about 10 minutes.) Remove from heat and drain grease using a large spoon or paper towels.

Add the sauce ingredients. Add the sauce ingredients and water and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to combine and deepen.

Assemble the sandwiches. Spoon filling onto sandwich rolls (kaiser rolls, brioche buns, hamburger buns, or any of your favorites!)