These sloppy joes are simple, cheap, and filling. Ground beef is mixed with onions, garlic, and bell pepper, all smothered in a simple sauce. Scoop it on toasted hamburger buns for an easy meal.
Sloppy Joes Overview
Whether you’re looking for a fast weeknight option, feeding a hungry crowd, or an easy camping meal, sloppy joes are always a good recipe to have in your back pocket.
Ground beef, onions, and bell pepper are mixed in a sweet sauce made from ketchup, mustard, garlic and brown sugar. If you want this recipe to be less sweet, then you can swap ketchup for tomato sauce.
Serve with toasted hamburger buns (we like to toast ours in the oven on a baking sheet) and you’ve got yourself a delicious easy meal!
Recipe Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 garlic cloves – minced
- 1 cup yellow onion – diced small small
- 2 celery stalks – chopped
- 2 cups chopped green bell pepper – about 1 medium bell pepper
- ¾ cup ketchup – or tomato sauce for a less sweet option
- 1 tsp worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar – optional
- 2 tsp yellow mustard
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 4-6 hamburger buns – to serve with
How To Make Sloppy Joes
Full ingredients and instructions are also in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
STEP 1: Heat a frying pan or large pot with a bit of cooking oil over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb lean ground beef and break apart with a spatula. Cook until ground beef has browned. Add to a plate and set aside. Use a paper towel and spatula to swish around and absorb excess grease from the pan.
STEP 2: Add 1 cup chopped yellow onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 2 chopped celery stalks to the pan with 1 Tbsp more of cooking oil. Cook until the vegetables have softened.
STEP 3: Add back in the cooked ground beef along with ¾ cup ketchup (or tomato sauce), 1 Tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, and 2 tsp yellow mustard. Cook for 5-10 minutes, until the mixture has thickened. Serve with toasted hamburger buns and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Use lean ground beef OR a ground beef/pork blend for a cheaper option! Nobody will even notice the difference in taste!
- Chop the green bell pepper small, it will cook faster.
- Swap ketchup for a can of plain tomato sauce for a less sweet option.
- Toast a big batch of hamburger buns all at once in the oven at 400°F or on the broil setting. Brush the bread with a bit of vegetable oil or butter to help it crispen up.
How To Store Leftovers
- REFRIGERATE – Leftover sloppy joe mixture should be stored separately from any bread to avoid sogginess. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- FREEZER – Consider making a double batch and freezing half for later! First, let it cool completely then add it to an airtight container or freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible as this is what causes freezer burn. You can freeze for up to 6 months. To defrost, place the bag in the fridge overnight in a shallow bowl of cold water.
- TO REHEAT – Sloppy joes can be reheated in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring the mixture halfway through. This can also be added back to the frying pan to reheat.
🎉 Grab Your Free Recipe Guides! 🎉
Hey, foodie friends! Don’t miss my Free Recipe Guides featuring all my popular dishes, ready for you to print and enjoy! Sign up for my member’s library for instant access to over 20 delicious guides, and I’m always adding more!
✨ And while you’re at it, come hang out with me on Pinterest and Facebook for even more tasty inspiration!
Tried this recipe? I’d love it if you shared it with your friends! 💖 And don’t forget to leave a review using the stars in the recipe card below—I can’t wait to hear what you think! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 garlic cloves - minced
- 1 cup yellow onion - diced small small
- 2 celery stalks - chopped
- 2 cups chopped green bell pepper - about 1 medium bell pepper
- ¾ cup ketchup - or tomato sauce for a less sweet option
- 1 tsp worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar - optional
- 2 tsp yellow mustard
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 4-6 hamburger buns - to serve with
Instructions
- Heat a frying pan or large pot with a bit of cooking oil over medium high heat. Add 1 lb lean ground beef and break apart with a spatula. Cook until ground beef has browned. Add to a plate and set aside. Use a paper towel and spatula to swish around and absorb excess grease from the pan.
- Add 1 cup chopped yellow onion, 2 minced garlic cloves and 2 chopped celery stalks to the pan with 1 Tbsp more of cooking oil. Cook until the vegetables have softened.
- Add back in the cooked ground beef along with ¾ cup ketchup (or tomato sauce), 1 Tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp worcestershire sauce, and 2 tsp yellow mustard. Cook for 5-10 minutes, until the mixture has thickened.
- Serve with toasted hamburger buns (see notes) and enjoy!
Recipe Notes:
-
- Use lean ground beef or a beef/pork blend for less grease.
-
- Use the tip of a wooden spatula or firm silicone spatula to break apart the ground beef while cooking.
-
- Chop the green bell pepper small, it will cook faster.
-
- Swap ketchup for a can of plain tomato sauce for a less sweet option.
-
- Toast a big batch of hamburger buns all at once in the oven at 400F or on the broil setting. Brush the bread with a bit of oil to help it crispen up.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and is per serving.