Easy Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe (No Ketchup)

Name: Sloppy Joes from Scratch
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (, pork, turkey, or chicken); 1/2 onion (chopped); 1 tbsp Jamie's Spice Mix; 8 oz tomato sauce; 1-3 tbsp brown sugar (optional) (depending on how sweet you like it); 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional); 4-8 hamburger buns; 12 dill hamburger sliced pickles; 4 cheddar cheese slices

Published: Feb 26, 2024 by Jessica Fisher

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Kick boxed mixes, canned sauces, and that bottle of ketchup to the curb. You’re in for a treat with these Easy Homemade Sloppy Joes on the menu. Made completely from scratch with just a handful of ingredients in less than 30 minutes, this Easy Sloppy Joes recipe is sure to become a family-favorite.

sloppy joe on everything bun with pickles, coleslaw and blueberries on the plate, platter of buns in the background.

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You’ve got a pound of ground and half an hour. What do you make for dinner? Sloppy Joes, my friend!

An easy loose meat sandwich consisting of ground beef and a seasoned tomato sauce, the Sloppy Joe is the best way to stretch a pound of meat while enjoying a hearty meal.

This scratch recipe for Sloppy Joes is not only easy, but it’s got a perfect balance of spices and flavors in the meat sauce – all made from regular grocery staples!

Why Make Our Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe

It’s easy. You can prep this delicious recipe in less than 30 minutes in the slow cooker, instant pot, or fry pan on the stove. It’s super easy and contains just a handful of ingredients, one of our favorite 5-ingredient ground beef recipes.

It’s real food. Unlike store bought sauces and mixes, this Sloppy Joes recipe relies on simple seasonings and lean ground beef — no additives, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners. It’s just good real food.

You can make it the way you like it. When you make homemade, you can adjust the seasonings and sauce ingredients to your preferences! We like our Sloppy Joes just barely sweet here, so I use the lower amount of brown sugar. If you prefer them very sweet, use more. If you’re eating paleo or Whole 30, omit the sugar completely and serve the mixture over cauliflower rice or potatoes. When you make Sloppy Joes from scratch, you can make them exactly the way you like.

It’s make-ahead. Sloppy Joes are the perfect make-ahead meal. You can set it and forget it in the crockpot or make a double batch and freeze half for later.

It’s cheap. Canned sauce will cost you more than making it yourself — without the ability to mix and match your favors or shop your kitchen to save money. Making homemade will save you money, especially when you make a dish based on our budget grocery list.

It’s delicious. This homemade sloppy joe meat mixture is out of this world flavorful, perfect for a busy night supper, weekend lunch with friends, or anytime you want to enjoy an easy dinner recipe.

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This recipe is featured in one of our free 3-day meal plans. You’ll love the convenience of having three dinners already planned, along with grocery list, prep checklist, and tips for using leftovers.

Ingredients

?Here’s what you’ll need to make traditional sloppy joes from scratch:

ground meat – As a loose meat sandwich, sloppy joe’s call for lean ground beef, ground pork, ground turkey, or ground chicken. You can use any protein for your main ingredient.

onion – I like to use fresh, chopped onion in this classic recipe, though some prefer chopped green pepper. Use your favorite — or both! Remember you can freeze onion or freeze bell peppers for later use.

spice mix – Jamie’s Spice Mix is a custom blend that I make that works perfectly in this homemade sloppy joe recipe. It contains onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, lemon zest, and ground cayenne pepper. You can use another spice mix, like Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute if you prefer.

tomato sauce – Plain tomato sauce gives enough body along with the spices and brown sugar to make this a flavorful sauce.

brown sugar – Store-bought sauce for sloppy joe’s can be too sweet which makes it a great thing to make yourself. You can control how much added sugar there is. Add brown sugar to taste.

Worcestershire sauce – This bottled condiment is traditional in homemade sloppy joe sauce. You can omit it if you prefer.

buns or rolls – I like to make homemade hamburger buns – it takes this easy sloppy joe recipe over the top. Some folks prefer to serve toasted hamburger buns. Try it both ways to see which you prefer.

optional toppings – We love to pile on sliced pickles and cheddar cheese, but there are other toppings you might also serve with sloppy joe’s, such as chopped fresh onion, BBQ sauce, hot sauce, mustard, or even sliced jalapeños.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to make this easy recipe for Homemade Sloppy Joe’s:

ground beef, onion, and seasoning in a skillet.

cooked meat with sugar, tomato sauce, and worcestershire being added.

Place the ground meat and onion in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the spice mix.

Cook, stirring, until the meat is cooked through and the onion has gone clear, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Add the tomato sauce, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Add a small amount of water if you prefer a thinner consistency to the sauce.

Serve the meat mixture on the buns with the optional toppings.

?Slow Cooker Instructions

After you’ve browned the meat and onion with the spices, transfer the mixture to the crock of a crock pot. Add the remaining ingredients, cover, and cook on low for 2 to 4 hours.

Pressure Cooker Instructions

Prepare the recipe in the pressure cooker on sauté.

sloppy joe on a plate with a pickle slice jutting out and juice dripping.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Sloppy Joe’s as you would hamburgers, with French fries, potato chips, or a side salad. Some favorite side dishes of ours include Creamy Coleslaw, fresh fruit, Seasoned Corn Off the Cob, or a simple salad like this Broccoli Cranberry Salad With Pecans.

Promptly store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven. If you store your leftovers in clear containers, they’re more likely to get eaten.

To Make a Meal Prep

To avoid soggy sandwiches, store the buns, meat sauce, and toppings separately in airtight containers. Reheat the meat sauce in the microwave before assembling your sloppy joes.

Freezing Instructions

To freeze: Place the meat mixture in an airtight container or freezer bag. Chill completely before storing in the freezer. Thaw and reheat to serve.

FAQ

Why is it called a Sloppy Joe?

There’s much debate about the origin of the Sloppy Joe Sandwich, its origins supposedly ranging from Cuba to Sioux City, Iowa in restaurants operated by men named Joe. It’s clear that the classic dish originated in the early 20th century, as a loose meat sandwich prepared quickly and cheaply, but its exact birthplace is a little more mysterious.

How long does Sloppy Joe sauce last?

The sloppy joe mixture will last 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator as long as it properly stored.

What’s the difference between Sloppy Joes and Manwich?

Manwich is a sauce for sloppy joes that was first brought to market in the 1960s. It currently sells for $1.42/15-ounce can at my local Walmart. You can make a homemade sauce with natural ingredients for much less!

More Things to Make with Ground Beef

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Sloppy Joes from Scratch

Sloppy Joes are a quick and easy dinner that won’t break the budget. In fact, you can very easily — and economically — make this savory meat mixture completely from scratch. No cans, mixes, or ketchup required.

5 from 10 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 30

Servings:

Calories: 387kcal

Author: Jessica Fisher

Equipment

large skillet

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef , pork, turkey, or chicken
½ onion chopped
1 tablespoon Jamie's Spice Mix
8 oz tomato sauce
1-3 tablespoon brown sugar (optional) depending on how sweet you like it
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
4-8 hamburger buns

Optional toppings

12 dill hamburger sliced pickles
4 cheddar cheese slices

Instructions

Place the ground meat and onion in a skillet over medium heat. Add the spice mix.
1 lb ground beef, ½ onion, 1 tablespoon Jamie's Spice Mix
Cook, stirring, until the meat is cooked through and the onion has gone clear, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Add the tomato sauce, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Add a small amount of water if you prefer a thinner consistency to the sauce.
8 oz tomato sauce, 1-3 tablespoon brown sugar (optional), 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
Serve the meat mixture on the buns with the optional toppings.
4-8 hamburger buns, 12 dill hamburger sliced pickles, 4 cheddar cheese slices

For the slow cooker:

After you’ve browned the meat and onion with the spices, transfer the mixture to the crock of a slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients, cover, and cook on low for 2 to 4 hours.

For the electric pressure cooker:

Prepare the recipe in the pressure cooker on saute.