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Classic Sloppy Joes

A quick and flavorful classic sloppy joes recipe made with seasoned ground beef, sautéed vegetables, and a tangy homemade sauce served on toasted hamburger buns.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey if you want to mix it up
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 small green bell pepper diced, optional but worth it
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 3/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 hamburger buns or more if you are feeding a crowd

Method
 

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add 1 pound ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add 1 diced medium onion and 1 diced small green bell pepper. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  4. Stir in 2 cloves minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
  5. Add 3/4 cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine.
  6. Lower the heat and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or burning.
  7. While the meat is simmering, lightly toast 4 hamburger buns in a toaster or on a skillet until golden brown.
  8. Scoop the sloppy joe mixture onto the toasted buns and serve hot.

Notes

You can make the sloppy joe filling ahead of time and reheat it when ready to serve. The mixture also freezes well for up to two months. For extra flavor, try adding hot sauce or cheese, or serve open-faced over thick slices of bread.