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Easy Sloppy Joes

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This Easy Sloppy Joes recipe is just that – EASY!  Skip the canned stuff and have this delicious homemade version on the table in just 40 minutes. #dinnerrecipes #sloppyjoes #beef #easyrecipe #sandwiches

This Easy Sloppy Joes recipe is just that – EASY!  Skip the canned stuff and have this delicious homemade version on the table in just 40 minutes.

An Easy Sloppy Joes sits on a dark plate with chips garnished with pickles and onions.

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Original content posted August 2013.  Updated February 2021.

I don’t use the word easy lightly.  But these Easy Sloppy Joes are just that.  Crazy easy.  E-A-S-Y.  If you can brown hamburger and chop an onion and bell pepper, then you’ve got this recipe in the bag.  Please put down the can of sloppy joe mix that somehow jumped into your grocery cart and instead give this recipe a try.  

A skillet of Easy Sloppy Joes with a spoon sits on a wooden serving board.

This Easy Sloppy Joes recipe originated from my grandmother and is always a hit.  In fact, other than omitting the fat originally called to brown the ground beef in, and the recipe did indeed ask you to brown the beef in fat, I’ve left it unchanged.  Not truly shocking for anyone that knows me as I rarely make a recipe as is.

An Easy Sloppy Joes sandwich is garnished with pickles and onions.

Ground beef is browned with diced onion and green pepper before being stirred together with a delicious tomato based sauce.  Dinner will be on the table in just 40 minutes and you’ll wonder why you ever bought that canned stuff.   These Easy Sloppy Joes are just begging to be on your meal plan each week.

An overhead view of two plates of Easy Sloppy Joes sandwiches flanked by a striped napkin and two water glasses.

Can You Make Sloppy Joes Ahead of Time?

Absolutely!  I always double this recipe and leftovers are always few and far between as these Easy Sloppy Joes are devoured by adults and children alike.  If you want to get a jump start on these sandwiches, you can make the filling a day or two ahead of time and simply store it in the fridge until you’re ready to reheat and enjoy.  

In fact, I’ve got quite a few easy sandwich recipes up my sleeve that are perfect for a no-fuss dinner.  You’ll definitely also love my Slow Cooker Sausage and Sauerkraut Sandwiches, Shrimp Parmesan Sandwiches and Slow Cooker Pepperoncini Beef Sandwiches.

An Easy Sloppy Joes sandwich on a dark plate sits on a wooden board next to a striped napkin and water glass.

Can You Freeze Sloppy Joes?

I’ll be honest, I love being able to prep a large batch of these Easy Sloppy Joes and stash it in my freezer for a busy night when I have no idea what I’m going to serve my family for dinner.  When stored in an airtight container, it will remain good for 3-6 months.

To thaw, simply place it in your fridge the day before and then simply reheat.  I love adding the thawed sandwich filling to my slow cooker to reheat while we’re running errands or at an after school activity so it’s ready and waiting when we return home.

How to prepare Easy Sloppy Joes, steps 1-4.

How to Make Easy Sloppy Joes

[1]  In a medium skillet, add ground beef, green pepper and onion.

[2]  Over medium heat, brown ground beef until no longer pink.

[3]  Add ketchup, mustard, sugar and vinegar to skillet.

[4]  Stir together and simmer for 30 minutes.

Two hands reach for an Easy Sloppy Joes sandwich off of a dark plate served with potato chips.

If you’ve tried these Easy Sloppy Joes or any other recipe on Melanie Makes, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.  I love hearing from you and respond to each and every comment!

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Easy Sloppy Joes | Melanie Makes
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4.59 from 12 votes

Easy Sloppy Joes

These Easy Sloppy Joes are just that – EASY! Ground beef is browned with diced onion and green pepper before being stirred together with a delicious tomato based sauce. Dinner will be on the table in 30 minutes – if you can wait for it to simmer that long! – and you’ll wonder why you ever bought that canned stuff. 
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Total Time40 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 sandwiches
Calories: 256kcal
Author: Melanie Bauer | Melanie Makes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 1 large green pepper diced
  • 3/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons mustard
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • In a medium skillet, add ground beef, green pepper and onion.
  • Over medium heat, brown ground beef until no longer pink.
  • Add ketchup, mustard, sugar and vinegar to skillet.
  • Stir together and simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 256kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 768mg | Potassium: 366mg | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 225IU | Vitamin C: 18.6mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1.8mg

Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. Meghan says

    My husband LOVES sloppy joes so I am totally surprising him with these for his bday next week! Love the fresh flavor!
    Reply

  8. Angelina says

    These Sloppy Joes were terrific! I made them last night when my 10 yr. old son had 2 of his buddies for a sleepover. I used 90/10% ground sirloin, and also added 1 lrg. clove of sautéed garlic. The boys loved 'em, and they each had 2 Sloppy Joes. I served them with FFs on the side. After that, my hubby took the boys outside, and they made Smores over a campfire. The boys had a wonderful time, thanks to your delicious recipe. I appreciated the fact that it was very easy for me, and totally delicious. Thank you.
    Reply

    • Melanie says

      Angelina, your comment totally made my day! Loved that my recipe was a part of your family's weekend. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know you enjoyed them. :)
      Reply

  10. Jenny Bullistron says

    There can never be too many sloppy joes on my table! I seriously love how simple they are to make, and how fun they are to eat. I think I'd find it hard to just have one of these! Gotta love those 30 minute meals!
    Reply

  14. DD says

    I grew up eating something like this, with hamburger, diced onion and celery, canned chicken gumbo soup, ketchup, mustard, a little Heinz 57 Steak Sauce, and a little Worcestershire sauce. The ketchup gives it some sweetness. My spouse loves these.
    Reply

  17. Jennifer says

    I am making this tonight and i was wondering what type of vinegar, red wine, white? or does is matter? Thanks!
    Reply

  18. Deanna says

    I usually use the canned sloppy joe stuff, but didn't have any on hand this evening. I found this and it contains simple ingredients that I almost always have on hand (made w/o peppers). My family and I agree that this is the BEST tasting sloppy joe we have probably ever eatten! Thank you so very much for sharing your recipe. I will definitely be making sloppy joes more often now. Thanks again!
    Reply

    • melanie says

      Such a bonus that it freezes well for those super busy days, Joanie! I've even taken it on vacation before to reheat in the slow cooker - such a great no thoughts required meal.
      Reply

  29. Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says

    Oh boy, I remember as a kid my dad would buy the jarred sauce for sloppy Joe's and I hated it!! Now I make a homemade vegetarian version for myself and love it! I cannot wait to make your meat version for the meat lovers in my house.
    Reply

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