Sloppy Joes are one of the most quintessential American recipes. Learn how to make the perfect Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes recipe, with a kick, that the family will enjoy.
Sloppy Joes are one of those foods that every family seems to have made frequently over the years. They’re easy and delicious, so it makes sense that parents across the country would make them. I remember having them quite often when I was a kid, and I loved the sweet and tangy smell filling up the house as my mom cooked them. I knew a delicious, beefy feast was coming, and I was always so excited.
When I became a mom, I made them for my kids all the time, too. Even now, I’ll make my Sloppy Joes when the kids come over to visit with my grandchildren. It’s a great way to remember all the good times we had while they were growing up and to make new memories with my children’s little ones.
Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes
My Sloppy Joe recipe takes the traditional mix and adds a distinct, spicy kick with the addition of Slap Ya Mama seasoning. This completely homemade recipe has that classic sweet and tangy tomato base, a kick of spicy heat, and ground beef. It all comes together to create the best Sloppy Joes you’ve ever had. The best part is that even though it’s homemade, it’s not difficult at all to prepare it. It’s a winner all the way around!
Why You’ll Love This Sloppy Joe Recipe
- It’s an easy weeknight meal that’s super easy to make and always a hit.
- It is a classic recipe that is full of flavor and only uses simple ingredients.
- It’s savory – a little sweet – and everyone always wants more!
Tips and Variations
This delicious recipe is very easy to make, but I do have some tips to help you make it the best that it can be, and some great variations for you to try.
Tips
- Use a cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven if possible. Both of these hold heat very well.
- Break up the ground beef as much as possible while cooking it to ensure you get that great Sloppy Joe texture.
Variations
- Try making this with ground chicken or turkey for a lower-calorie dish.
- Make it with ground pork for a different flavor.
- Add some button mushrooms.
- Add your favorite kind of cheese slice
Sloppy Joes FAQ
If you have questions about this recipe, then I have the answers. The following FAQ answers the most commonly asked questions about Sloppy Joes
No one knows for sure, but the prevailing story is that a man named Joe, a cook at Floyd Angell’s café in Sioux City, Iowa, added tomato sauce to his loose meat sandwiches. This is believed to have been the first every Sloppy Joe. Another popular story is that a man named Jose Abeal Otero created the first Sloppy Joe in the late 1910s in Cuba.
You might think that in both stories, the name Sloppy Joe came from the inventor, but that’s not true in both cases. In the story about the cook in Sioux City, Iowa, the name Sloppy Joe was in fact given to the sandwich because its creator’s name was Joe. However, in the story of the Sloppy Joe being created in Cuba, the sandwich gets its name because the floor was always wet with melted ice from the seafood it sold. The patrons often called the restaurant a sloppy place. Thus, the name Sloppy Joe was born.
Not at all. Manwich is simply a brand name given to a mass-marketed version of Sloppy Joe sauce.
You can add tomato paste and a touch more sugar in place of ketchup.
Absolutely. Place it in an airtight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag and freeze it for up to 6 months.
What goes with Sloppy Joes?
Sloppy Joes are the classic backyard food, and as such, they are usually served with classic summer sides. Some great options include:
- Coleslaw (on the Sloppy Joe or on the side)
- Corn on the cob
- Green beans
- Baked beans
- French fries
- Sweet potato fries
- Tater tots
- Mac and cheese
How to Store and Reheat Sloppy Joes
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or freeze for up to 6 months.
To reheat Sloppy Joes, simply place the mixture in a saucepan and reheat over medium-low heat until heated through. You can also put it in a slow cooker on high for about an hour.
Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe Ingredients
This recipe only uses simple ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store.
- Lean ground beef
- Medium onion
- Green bell pepper
- Jalapeno
- Slap Ya Mama seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Tomato paste
- Brown sugar
- Ketchup
- Worcestershire sauce
- Apple cider vinegar
- Chili powder
- Salt
- Cornstarch
- Water
- Hamburger buns
- Mayonnaise
How to Make This Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe
This recipe might be completely homemade, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s a ton of work. It’s actually a very simple recipe that even beginners can make. It’s also fairly quick!
Step 1: Cook the Beef and Veggies
In a large skillet or saucepan on medium heat, cook the ground beef, diced onions, bell pepper, jalapenos, garlic powder, Slap Ya Mama, black pepper, and paprika until the meat is no longer pink and the veggies are tender.
Step 2: Add the Sauce Ingredients
Add tomato paste, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, chili powder, and salt and stir to combine. Then, reduce the heat and cook until heated through.
Step 3: Thicken
Make a cornstarch and water slurry and add it to the sauce. Stir and continue to simmer until thickened.
Step 4: Toast the Buns
Heat a frying pan or griddle over medium-high heat and spread mayo on the flat part of the bottom and top buns. Toast the buns until golden brown.
Step 5: Make the Sloppy Joes
Add the Sloppy Joe mixture to the bottom bun and top with pickles.
Try This Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe Today
This old fashioned Sloppy Joes recipe is loaded with flavor and an extra kick of spiciness, and it’s so easy to make! It’s the perfect homemade dish for backyard BBQs, potlucks, and even weeknight dinners. Give this one a try, and I know you’ll find yourself making it again and again.
More Delicious Ground Beef Recipes You’ll Enjoy
And, here are some Cheesy Ground Beef Enchiladas, Cheesy Ground Beef Balls, and how about these delicious Ground Beef Quesadillas. Make sure to check out all of our ground beef recipes today.
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Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 1 jalapeno seeds and stem removed, diced
- 1 teaspoon Slap Ya Mama seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 3 ounces tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 8 hamburger buns
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise might need more.
Instructions
- Using a large skillet or large saucepan, over medium heat, add ground beef, diced onions, bell pepper and jalapenos, garlic powder, Slap Ya Mama, black pepper and paprika. Stir.
- Cook until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are tender.
- Add tomato paste, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, chili powder and salt. Stir to combine.
- Reduce heat and cook until heated through, then add cornstarch and water slurry to the pan. Stir.
- While meat is simmering, add mayo to the top and bottom buns.
- Using a frying pan or griddle over medium high heat, place a few buns at a time, mayo side down, in hot pan. Grill until golden and then add sloppy joe mixture on top of bottom bun, cover with top bun and enjoy.
- Optional: top with sliced pickles, if desired.
Notes
Tips
- Use a cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven if possible. Both of these hold heat very well.
- Break up the ground beef as much as possible while cooking it to ensure you get that great Sloppy Joe texture.
Nutrition
These old fashion sloppy Joe’s were so amazing! Reminds me of having Family Dinners as a child. Love this recipe, can’t wait to make it again!! YUM!!!
I tried this for a quick dinner and it came out just right—sweet, tangy, and saucy. Toasted buns made a big difference.
It’s one amazing recipe! Thanks a lot for sharing all the tips along the way!
This recipe nailed the nostalgic flavor! Loved the kick from the jalapeños and Slap Ya Mama seasoning. It’s so satisfying and easy to make!
I made these last night for dinner with homemade French fries. They were a BIG hit! We absolutely loved them.
These were so good! I was out of ketchup, so I used taco sauce and had Mexican sloppy Joes. Great recipe!
These are incredible! Your sauce recipe is better than anything I’ve bought from the store.