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Best Recipe for Sloppy Joes

Why are these the best Sloppy Joe’s ever? Well, they’re not overly sweet or fussy. You don’t even need a knife. (Honest!) And eating it over a pile of sweet potato fries puts chili fries to shame.

If Sloppy Joe’s make you think of mediocre school lunches, I’d love to change your mind. This recipe has been a favorite in my family for 3 generations now and with each generation comes a few tweaks to make this recipe even easier to get on the table.

Plus it’s REALLY delicious – some of the simplest recipes are! And a bonus: if you’re gluten intolerant or on a low-carb/keto diet, I’ve got some fun new ways to use Sloppy Joe meat just for you.

Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe and FOUR Ways to Serve Them

Sloppy Joe Recipe ingredients

First, this is a great recipe because the sloppy joe meat isn’t overly sweet or fussy. You don’t even need a knife for this.

For reals. No chopping anything. Not even onions. Or bell peppers. This is a green bell pepper free recipe.

And there’s just a handful of ingredients. Most of them you probably have on hand already:

  • chili powder
  • dried onions
  • ketchup
  • mustard
  • (here’s the secret ingredient: ground sage)
  • And no extra sugar. The only sugar is from the ketchup, which can be a pretty low amount depending on what kind you buy.

And second, it’s my grandma’s recipe. No, not Grandma Inez. My Grandma LaRue, who claims she’s a “horrible cook.” I sense that she doesn’t enjoy cooking, but I have to disagree with her. In fact, two of my favorite family recipes come from her, my favorite chocolate cake.  And these Sloppy Joe’s.

How to make the Best Sloppy Joe Recipe

  1. Brown the beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. If your beef is extra lean, you may want to add a tablespoon of oil to keep it from sticking to the pan. Drain off any oil, if needed.
  2. Return pan to skillet and add the remaining ingredients plus water. Stir well and simmer over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes.
  3. Serve with buns or lettuce leaves, shredded cheese, Sweet Potato Fries, and (our recommendation) pickles.

Serving this Sloppy Joes Recipe

I have to admit — eating these as a lettuce wrap gives a whole new meaning to the word “sloppy.”

Most of the time we make them easier to eat and turn them into Sloppy Joe Salads. Or “Salad Joe’s”. It’s much easier to eat! I actually prefer to eat them over a pile of Sweet Potato Fries. Like chili fries, but better.

If you’re not into salads, but still want these to be gluten-free, try serving the sloppy joe meat over a baked potato or baked sweet potato. Or with some jasmine rice. Or roasted cauliflower rice. Or in a bowl with assorted roasted vegetables. Sloppy Joe’s definitely don’t have to be confined to a bland hamburger bun. 

Grab a large skillet and go to town, guys. You wouldn’t be disappointed if you doubled this recipe, either. Our little family has started eating a full batch, and I like having leftovers for a couple of days for lunches. 

You might be tempted to substitute ground turkey for the beef. I have a feeling that you’d be disappointed, my friends. The beef gives these a richness that ground turkey definitely doesn’t have. And if you get grass-feed beef, it’s much healthier than most ground turkey you find in the grocery store. 

If you’re looking for a vegan version, try mushroom and cashew-based Vegan Sloppy Joes!

Storing this recipe for Sloppy Joes

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container.SaveSave


If you make one of my recipes, be sure to post it on social media and tag me at @perrysplate or #perrysplate so I can send you some love!

Sloppy Joe Recipe Easy FAQs

What’s the difference between a sloppy joe and a sloppy Jane?

The difference is what meat you use – Sloppy Janes use minced turkey or chicken whereas Sloppy Joes are generally made using minced beef.

Should you drain the grease from ground beef for sloppy joes?

This will depend on what meat you use for you Sloppy Joes. If it looks too greasy for your taste, then pour the fat out of your pan.
If you use lean mince, you might need to add a bit of oil to your pan to prevent sticking.

Do you eat sloppy joes with a fork?

Since this recipe isn’t confined to a hamburger bun that can be eaten like a sandwich, I would use a fork. They are super messy after all!

Sloppy Joe Recipe (Easy!)

Sloppy Joe Recipe (Easy!)

Yield: Serves 6
Additional Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Why are these the best Sloppy Joe's ever? Well, they're not overly sweet or fussy. You don't even need a knife. (Honest!) And eating it over a pile of sweet potato fries puts chili fries to shame.

Ingredients

  • 1 - 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef (organic, grass-fed, if possible)
  • 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce (two 8-ounce cans are also fine)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried, ground sage
  • 2 Tablespoons plain yellow mustard
  • 2 Tablespoons ketchup (see note)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried minced onion
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. If your beef is extra lean, you may want to add a tablespoon of oil to keep it from sticking to the pan. Drain off any oil, if needed.
  2. Return pan to skillet and add the remaining ingredients plus 1/3 cup of water. Stir well and simmer over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes.
  3. Serve with buns or lettuce leaves, shredded cheese, Sweet Potato Fries, and (our recommendation) pickles.

Notes

Nat's Note:

  1. If you'd rather not use ketchup, leave it out or replace it with a Tablespoon of honey to keep the sweetness.

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Dorothy

Wednesday 29th of June 2022

Not my favorite. I found the mixture to be a little bitter. After 50+ years cooking, I decided to “doctor” them a little. I added a tablespoon of sugar, several thin strips, chopped fine, red, yellow and orange peppers, a little paprika and a little pepper. It helped.

One definite bonus is without my additions, the recipe is very easy to assemble. Also everyone’s taste is different. My recommendation would be to follow the recipe as posted, if not to your liking, make it your own by adding what your family likes!

Natalie Perry

Tuesday 5th of July 2022

I think I'm probably the minority in that I don't like my sloppy joe's sweet. :) I'm glad you adapted it to your liking!

Diana

Thursday 3rd of March 2022

Hi. I cant wait to make these today!!! I will have to do some switching and adjusting of two ingredients as my hubby and i are not huge fans of sage or mustard. But I need a recipe with no peppers as we are out and i cant get to the store til tomorrow and i need to get the ground beef cooked as its defrosted on day 2 now. Eek! I will be using 2 TBLSP of Ground Cumin and 1/2 Teaspon of mustard. Cumin to replace the sage but switching the amount with the mustard 🙃 Also defintely adding honey per your suggestion! Yum!

Natalie Perry

Wednesday 6th of April 2022

Sounds like you have your question answered :) Enjoy!

Imelda The Hon

Tuesday 30th of November 2021

I've made similar recipes using ground bison and that is also very good.

Natalie Perry

Friday 21st of January 2022

Good to know! Bison is great.

David

Thursday 25th of November 2021

Restate my comment. You have no ketchup listed as an ingredient. Just the honey. Do you add ketchup also?

David

Thursday 25th of November 2021

You stated no additional sugar because the ketchup gives the sweetness. But I’m the recipe listed there is no sugar listed as an ingredient. Am I reading this wrong? I love sloppy Joe’s.

Natalie Perry

Friday 21st of January 2022

Oops. I updated the recipe and took out the ketchup. I apologize! I used a little honey instead of ketchup to avoid using refined sugar, but you can either use ketchup or add honey.

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