Make easy Sloppy Joes from scratch without ketchup. This savory dinner recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes, is a kid favorite, and creates a thick and glossy sauce with the perfect balance of flavors. Easily doubled or tripled, this dish makes a great make-ahead freezer meal. For a delicious twist, skip the burger buns and serve the mixture on top of cornbread, turning it into a tasty casserole.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This budget-friendly sloppy joe recipe offers a delightful combination of sweet, smoky, and saucy flavors. It’s the kind of meal that can be quickly whipped up on a weeknight or made in a big batch for the freezer, ensuring you always have a loose meat sandwich ready to go. Sloppy Joes have been a timeless favorite, and it’s easy to see why—they’re delicious, practical, and kid-approved!

Ingredients

• Burger Buns: Brioche buns are a favorite, but any type will work.
• Ground Beef: Use an 80/20 blend or leaner; there’s no need to drain excess grease. Ground turkey can also be a great substitute.
• Vegetables: Finely chopped onion, red or green bell pepper, and garlic (or garlic powder) add aromatic flavor; they practically dissolve into the mix, making them kid-friendly.
• Sauce Ingredients: Common pantry staples combine to make a rich sauce without any tomato sauce, including crushed tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, yellow mustard, and chili powder.
• Optional: Add some heat with jalapeños or sriracha if you like it spicy!

Variations

If you don’t have crushed tomatoes, feel free to substitute with 1 cup of ketchup or 2 tablespoons of tomato paste mixed with 1 cup of beef broth. The taste will vary slightly but will still be scrumptious! You can easily double the recipe to make it in a Dutch oven or even in a slow cooker.

How to Make Sloppy Joes

1. Brown the beef and sauté the vegetables in a large skillet.
2. Add the sauce ingredients, stirring until well combined, and reduce to a simmer until thick and glossy.
3. Toast the buns while the sloppy joe mixture cooks.
4. For an easy meal, serve with pickles and chips.

Equipment

• 12-inch or larger skillet
• Meat chopper
• Sheet pan

Tips for the Best Sloppy Joes

• For a thick, glossy sauce, ensure the mixture is cooked longer than you might initially think. It’s important to reduce the sauce, cooking out excess water to achieve that perfect consistency.
• Choose the best buns you can find! Toasting them will prevent them from becoming soggy once filled. You can even brush melted butter or garlic butter on top of the buns for an extra touch.

Storage

Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days. For easy meal prep, freeze the sloppy joe mixture—just let it cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw, place it in the fridge the night before, or put the sealed bag in a sink of cold water during the day. Reheat in a pot or skillet over low or microwave in intervals, ensuring it heats through evenly.

If you have leftover sloppy joe sandwiches, be sure to toast the hamburger buns first. Wrap them in foil and reheat in the oven the next day.

Serve With

These Sloppy Joes pair well with crispy pickles and crunchy chips for a complete meal. You can embrace the casual vibe with napkins and laughter around the dinner table!