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Sloppy Joe featured image.
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4.89 from 9 votes

Sloppy Joes Recipe

Classic homemade Sloppy Joes made with ground beef and a sweet-and-tangy sauce that comes together right in the pan. An easy, one-pan weeknight dinner the whole family loves.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Author: Kristin Maxwell

Ingredients

  • 1.5 pounds ground chuck
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 4 large hamburger buns
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the sauce

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoon brown sugar

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and saute for 3 minutes, until softened.
  • Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Drain excess grease.
  • Stir in the ketchup, water, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well and simmer for 15 minutes, slightly covered with a lid, until thickened.
    Sloppy Joes in pan.
  • Toast the buns, then spoon the meat mixture onto the bottom halves. Add toppings and serve warm.
    Sloppy Joe featured image.

Notes

  • Yield: Makes 4 large Sloppy Joes or 6 more modest portions.
  • Draining: Draining the beef fat is optional but keeps the sauce from getting greasy.
  • Consistency: If the sauce gets too dry while simmering, add a few ounces of water and stir. Too loose, simmer a few minutes longer.
  • Sweetness: For a less sweet sauce, reduce the brown sugar or use tomato sauce in place of ketchup.
  • Protein swap: Ground turkey or chicken work in place of beef at the same amount.
  • Buns: A denser bun like brioche or a crusty seeded roll holds the filling best. Toast lightly to prevent sogginess.
  • Storage: Refrigerate the meat mixture up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months. Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of water.

Nutrition

Calories: 683kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 121mg | Sodium: 1511mg | Potassium: 770mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 314IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 5mg

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