Go Back
A quick and easy Sloppy Joe recipe made with seasoned ground beef and a tangy, sweet sauce, perfect for a hearty, satisfying meal.

Classic Sloppy Joes

A quick and easy Sloppy Joe recipe made with seasoned ground beef and a tangy, sweet sauce, perfect for a hearty, satisfying meal.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meat:
  • 1 lb ground beef 80% lean
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 1 bell pepper chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
For the Sauce:
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp mustard
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
For Assembling:
  • 4 hamburger buns

Equipment

  • Large skillet or frying pan
  • Spoon or spatula
  • Measuring spoons

Method
 

Cook the Meat
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 3 minutes.
Make the Sauce
  1. In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, apple cider vinegar, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  2. Pour the sauce mixture over the cooked beef and vegetables, stirring to combine.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld together.
Serve
  1. Toast the hamburger buns lightly, if desired.
  2. Spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture onto the bottom half of each bun. Top with the other half of the bun.
  3. Serve immediately with a side of fries or a simple salad.

Notes

  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Reheating: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
  • Customization: Adjust the sweetness or tanginess by adding more brown sugar or vinegar to the sauce. For a spicier version, add hot sauce or red pepper flakes.