Description
Sloppy Joes are a classic comfort food featuring a savory, sweet, and tangy meat mixture served on toasted buns. This homemade version is quick, delicious, and made with wholesome ingredients—perfect for a family-friendly meal that’s both satisfying and messily fun to eat!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 small bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4–6 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of oil. Sauté the onion and bell pepper until softened (3-5 minutes). Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the ground beef or turkey to the skillet. Break it apart with a spatula and cook until browned and fully cooked (about 7-8 minutes). Drain any excess fat.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the cooked meat and stir to combine.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
- Toast the hamburger buns for added texture. Spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture onto the bottom half of each bun, add any desired toppings, and place the top bun. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: The meat mixture can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Variations: Add a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick or swap ground beef for lentils to make it vegetarian.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American