I love my Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe featuring quality ground beef, fresh tomato sauce, and crunchy vegetables like yellow onion and green bell pepper. Tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar combine to create a delicious, tangy flavor that will captivate friends and family at each bite. Give it a try.

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I’ve always been on the hunt for that perfect homemade Sloppy Joes recipe that is as quick as it is delicious. This BEST Homemade Sloppy Joes dish is one of my absolute favorites, and the best part is it only takes 30 minutes!

I start with 1 lb ground beef, stirring in a medium yellow onion that’s finely chopped, a green bell pepper, and 2 cloves garlic minced to perfection. Then, I mix in 1 cup homemade tomato sauce made from fresh tomatoes along with 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup ketchup and a splash of Worcestershire sauce.

The sweet twist of 2 tbsp brown sugar pairs amazingly with 2 tsp yellow mustard, salt, and pepper, and if you like a little kick, add a dash of hot sauce. I use this easy, diner-reminiscent recipe to make delicious slippery, tangy, and savory Sloppy Joes that bring back memories of classic comfort food.

Enjoy!

Why I Like this Recipe

1. I really love how quick and easy this recipe is to whip up, especially when I don’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen. It’s a no-fuss meal that comes together in just 30 minutes and saves me so much time on busy weeknights.

2. The homemade tomato sauce made from fresh tomatoes makes all the difference. I like that sweet, tangy, and savory flavor mixed with a bit of brown sugar and mustard – it gives the Sloppy Joes a truly homemade taste that canned sauces just can’t match.

3. I enjoy how versatile it is. I mean, I can add a dash of hot sauce if I’m in the mood for a bit of kick, or stick to the classic taste when I want something more mellow. It’s fun to tweak it and make it just the way I like it.

4. The whole process is just comforting. Cooking ground beef with onions, bell peppers, and garlic fills my kitchen with this aroma that reminds me of home and family dinners, making me feel cozy and happy every time I make it.

Ingredients

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Ground beef: Packed protein and rich flavor that makes the dish hearty and satisfying.
Yellow onion: Adds natural sweetness, fiber and a deep savory note to the mix.
Green bell pepper: Provides vitamins, crunch and a light, fresh flavor layer every bite.
Fresh tomato sauce: Bursting with tangy tartness and natural lycopene for health benefits.
Garlic: Offers a sharp kick and helps support your immune system with its bold taste.
Hot sauce (optional): Adds extra heat if you crave spicy, lively excitement in every bite.
Hamburger buns (optional): Soft, toasty base making your sloppy joe mess even more fun.

Ingredient Quantities

1 lb ground beef

1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup homemade tomato sauce made from fresh tomatoes

2 tbsp tomato paste

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup ketchup

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 tbsp brown sugar

2 tsp yellow mustard

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Optional: A dash of hot sauce if you like a little kick

Optional: 4 hamburger buns for serving

How to Make this

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1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook until it’s browned, breaking it up as it cooks, then drain off any excess grease.

2. Add the chopped yellow onion and green bell pepper to the beef. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the onions get soft.

3. Stir in the minced garlic and let it cook for about 1 minute until it smells good.

4. Mix in the tomato paste and let it get a bit toasting for around 1-2 minutes so that its flavor deepens.

5. Pour in your homemade tomato sauce, water, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and yellow mustard. Stir everything well.

6. Bring the mixture to a simmer then lower the heat to medium-low.

7. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, and if you like a little kick, add a dash of hot sauce.

8. Let it simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring now and then so all the flavors really come together.

9. While the sauce is simmering, you can toast the hamburger buns if you wish for a bit of crunch.

10. Spoon the savory mixture over the toasted buns and serve immediately. Enjoy your delicious homemade Sloppy Joes!

Equipment Needed

1. Large skillet – in order to cook the ground beef and simmer all the ingredients together.
2. Knife – for chopping the yellow onion and green bell pepper, as well as mincing the garlic.
3. Cutting board – to safely chop up your veggies.
4. Wooden spoon or spatula – used for stirring all the ingredients while they cook.
5. Colander – to drain any excess grease from the cooked ground beef.
6. Measuring cups and spoons – to accurately add in the water, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and yellow mustard.
7. Toaster or oven – in case you wanna toast the hamburger buns for a bit of extra crunch.
8. Serving plates – for scooping up the Sloppy Joe mix onto the buns and serving it up.

FAQ

Q: Can I use a different meat instead of ground beef?

A: Yeah, you can use ground turkey or even a mix of meats if youre looking to try something new.

Q: Is it okay to double the recipe?

A: Sure, just double all the ingredients and follow the same instructions. Its that simple!

Q: Can I use canned tomato sauce if I dont have fresh tomatoes?

A: Definitely, but homemade tomato sauce really brings out the flavor. If you use canned, try to select one without too much extra salt.

Q: How long can I store the Sloppy Joes?

A: They last in the fridge for about 2 days. Just reheat them on the stove and theyll be just as tasty.

Q: Should I add the hot sauce from the start or later on?

A: If you like a mild kick, add it at the beginning. But if you prefer it spicier, wait until after youre done cooking so you can control the heat better.

BEST Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe Substitutions and Variations

If you dont have ground beef, try using ground turkey or even ground chicken, they work just as well though the flavor will be a bit different
If you cant get a homemade tomato sauce from fresh tomatoes, canned crushed tomatoes with a pinch of extra herbs can do the trick, just be sure to simmer it so it thickens a bit
If you don’t have Worcestershire sauce, a simple mix of soy sauce with a touch of vinegar can be used but expect slight changes in the taste
If you’re out of yellow onion, red onion or even shallots can be a good alternative, just chop them as finely as you would the yellow onion
If yellow mustard isn’t at hand, try using dijon mustard, keep in mind it has a bit of a sharper flavor so you might need to adjust the amount

Pro Tips

1. Using a heavy skillet like cast iron can really help brown the beef evenly, which boosts the overall flavor of your dish.

2. Before you add the rest of the liquid ingredients, let the tomato paste sit in the pan for a minute or two. This little toasting trick deepens its flavor and makes a big differences in taste.

3. Keep an eye on the simmer time and stir the mix every now and then. If you let it sit too long without stirring, you might end up with a sauce that’s too thick or even stick to the bottom.

4. If you’re into a bit of a spicy kick, add your hot sauce slowly. This way, you can control just how much heat you want without overwhelming the other flavors.

5. Lastly, to avoid soggy buns, toast them lightly in another pan. This simple step gives you a nice crunch that holds up well to the saucy filling.

BEST Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe

Recipe by Bob Jones

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

350

kcal

Equipment: 1. Large skillet – in order to cook the ground beef and simmer all the ingredients together.
2. Knife – for chopping the yellow onion and green bell pepper, as well as mincing the garlic.
3. Cutting board – to safely chop up your veggies.
4. Wooden spoon or spatula – used for stirring all the ingredients while they cook.
5. Colander – to drain any excess grease from the cooked ground beef.
6. Measuring cups and spoons – to accurately add in the water, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and yellow mustard.
7. Toaster or oven – in case you wanna toast the hamburger buns for a bit of extra crunch.
8. Serving plates – for scooping up the Sloppy Joe mix onto the buns and serving it up.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup homemade tomato sauce made from fresh tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp yellow mustard
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Optional: A dash of hot sauce if you like a little kick
Optional: 4 hamburger buns for serving

Directions

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook until it's browned, breaking it up as it cooks, then drain off any excess grease.
Add the chopped yellow onion and green bell pepper to the beef. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the onions get soft.
Stir in the minced garlic and let it cook for about 1 minute until it smells good.
Mix in the tomato paste and let it get a bit toasting for around 1-2 minutes so that its flavor deepens.
Pour in your homemade tomato sauce, water, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and yellow mustard. Stir everything well.
Bring the mixture to a simmer then lower the heat to medium-low.
Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, and if you like a little kick, add a dash of hot sauce.
Let it simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring now and then so all the flavors really come together.
While the sauce is simmering, you can toast the hamburger buns if you wish for a bit of crunch.
Spoon the savory mixture over the toasted buns and serve immediately. Enjoy your delicious homemade Sloppy Joes!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.