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An extreme close-up of the rich and savory sloppy joe sauce simmering in a skillet, showing the texture of the ground beef and vegetables.

Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe (The BEST, Easy Classic)

This easy, classic Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe delivers a rich, savory, and perfectly thick sauce in just 30 minutes. It's the perfect quick and delicious weeknight meal that the whole family will love.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 410
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Sloppy Joes
  • 1.5 lbs lean ground beef 85/15 or 90/10 recommended
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
  • 1 green bell pepper finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar packed
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt or to taste
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 0.5 cup water
  • 6 hamburger buns toasted, for serving

Equipment

  • 1 Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • 1 Spatula or Wooden Spoon

Instructions
 

  1. In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned, using a spoon to break it into small crumbles. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
  2. Add the finely diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables have softened.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one minute more until fragrant.
  4. Add the ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, chili powder, salt, pepper, and water. Stir until everything is thoroughly combined.
  5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Allow it to simmer for at least 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld.
  6. Taste the sloppy joe mixture and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve hot on toasted hamburger buns.

Notes

Toasting Buns: Butter the inside of each bun and toast in a separate skillet or under the broiler until golden brown. This adds flavor and prevents them from becoming soggy.
Make Ahead: The sloppy joe mixture can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop.
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