Our homemade sloppy joe recipe uses real ingredients and simmers in a thick, sweet, and spicy tomato sauce. Serve it on toasted buns for a quick and easy weeknight dinner the whole family will enjoy.
Looking for more easy sandwich ideas? Try our Buffalo chicken salad or slow cooker pulled pork.
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If you grew up eating sloppy joes, there is a good chance it came from a can or was made with ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar. That's exactly how we made them, too. No measuring, just a little of this, a little of that, and a whole lot of taste testing until it was just right.
Fast forward to now, and sloppy joes are still one of those nostalgic comfort foods that I love and remember from childhood. It's easy, budget-friendly, and perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd.
This past January, our small group made dinner for about 150 people at our church, and sloppy joes were on the menu. Our family loves this sweet and spicy Dr. Pepper chili, so I used those ingredients to jazz up that old-fashioned meat base.
The end result was a sweet and tangy sloppy joe recipe with a hint of spice. It was a huge hit at the group dinner and quickly became a new family favorite here, too.
Why You'll Love Sloppy Joes with Tomato Paste
- Sweet and tangy, with a hint of spice. The brown sugar and balsamic vinegar provide sweetness and tang, while the chipotle pepper adds a touch of heat.
- Made from scratch with real ingredients. Using pantry staples, you can create a homemade sauce that tastes way better than anything from the store.
- Perfect for busy nights or feeding a crowd. The recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and can be easily doubled or tripled.
Key Ingredients
These pantry staples combine to create a thick, homemade sloppy joe sauce that is so much better than the canned version. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full amounts and instructions.
- Lean Ground Beef: I typically use an 85% or 90% mix for the meat mixture, which keeps it flavorful without being greasy. You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Peppers: Red, yellow, or green bell peppers or a mix of all three can be used. For a smoky flavor, try poblano peppers.
- Onion and Garlic: Add flavor and balance to the sweet sauce. Yellow or sweet onions work best here.
- Tomato Paste: The concentrated tomato flavor thickens the sauce.
- Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness. Use as much or as little as you like. Honey or maple syrup can also be used for a different sweet profile.
- Yellow Mustard: The tang balances out the sugar. I do not recommend using Dijon or brown mustard in this recipe.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a deep, savory flavor that makes the sauce taste slow-cooked. Soy sauce can be used if that's all you have.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Brings a tang and sweetness that brightens the mixture. Red wine vinegar could be used in a pinch.
- Chipotle Pepper in Adobo Sauce: Adds a little spice that takes these easy sloppy joes over the top. It is an optional ingredient, but I think it adds the perfect balance to the sweet.
- Seasonings: I like to add smoked paprika, chili powder, and salt to add dimension and flavor.
How To Make Sloppy Joes
If you are craving comfort food that's flavorful and easy to make, these hearty sandwiches are just the thing.
- Cook the beef and veggies. Place the ground beef, diced peppers, and chopped onions in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir and mix until the meat is completely cooked. Drain any excess grease.
- Build the sauce. Whisk the sauce ingredients in a small bowl. If you want to add a little heat, finely chop one chipotle pepper and add it to the sauce
- Simmer. Stir the tomato sauce into the browned meat mixture and let it simmer for a few minutes, until thickened.
- Serve. Spoon a generous serving onto toasted buns and enjoy.
What To Serve With Sloppy Joes
This saucy meat mixture pairs well with a variety of sides.
- Potato Chips and Pickles
- Creamy Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Mom's Potato Salad
- Coleslaw
- Ranch Macaroni Salad
- Sweet Potatoes
Storing and Freezing
- In the Refrigerator: Store the sloppy joe leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- In the Freezer: Freeze the meat in freezer-safe bags for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
- To Reheat: Warm on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through. Add a splash of water to help thin out the thickened sauce.
BruCrew Tips
- If you use a higher-fat meat, drain the grease before adding the sauce.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar.
- If you are unsure of the spice level your family will like, start with half of a chipotle pepper. You can always add more later.
- Let the mixture simmer uncovered for a few minutes to thicken the sauce.
- Toast the buns by placing them butter-side down in a hot skillet. The toasted insides will add crunch and keep them from getting soggy.
- To make sloppy joes for a crowd, double or triple the ingredients in an extra-large pot.
- Keep it warm in a crockpot. Spoon the cooked meat into a slow cooker. Keep it on low or warm and stir occasionally.
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Recipe
Homemade Sloppy Joes
Our homemade sloppy joe recipe uses real ingredients and simmers in a thick, sweet, and spicy tomato sauce. Serve it on toasted buns for a quick and easy weeknight dinner the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
- ½ cup chopped sweet onion
- ½ cup diced bell peppers (any color)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- ⅔ cup water
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- Optional: 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (¾ oz.)
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef, onions, and peppers in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the meat is completely cooked, stir in the garlic.
- While the meat is cooking, whisk together the tomato paste, water, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, mustard, paprika, chili powder, salt, and brown sugar. If adding spice, finely chop the chipotle pepper and add it too.
- Stir the sauce mixture into the cooked meat and cook over low heat until it reaches your desired thickness.
- Spoon a hearty serving onto toasted hamburger buns and enjoy.
Notes
- If you use a higher-fat meat, drain the grease before adding the sauce.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar.
- If you are unsure of the spice level your family will like, start with half of a chipotle pepper. You can always add more later.
- Let the mixture simmer uncovered for a few minutes to thicken the sauce.
- Toast the buns by placing them butter-side down in a hot skillet. The toasted insides will add crunch and keep them from getting soggy.
- To make sloppy joes for a crowd, double or triple the ingredients in an extra-large pot.
- Keep it warm in a crockpot. Spoon the cooked meat into a slow cooker. Keep it on low or warm and stir occasionally.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 352Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 585mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 2gSugar: 16gProtein: 34g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
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