Looking for more 30-Minute Meals? Try my Air Fryer Pizza, Taco Salad, or Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas!
Why I love this recipe:
Homemade Sauce: It has the perfect sauce/beef ratio that is packed with flavor. Adaptable: There are so many ways to vary this recipe (see below) by adding veggies, switching the meat, etc.Kid Friendly: My kids love this recipe (even when I add veggies) and it makes for a relaxing and fun family dinner. Check out all my kid friendly recipes!
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:
To Make Ahead: The sloppy joe meat filling can be made up to 2 days ahead of time, depending on the freshness of the beef. Store in the refrigerator and reheat and serve on toasted buns when ready to eat. Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the rest of the sauce ingredients and stir to combine. Simmer for 30 minutes. The simmering time is a crucial part of the recipe because it allows the flavors to blend together. Serve: After letting the sloppy joe mixture simmer, serve it warm on a toasted hamburger bun as a sloppy joe sandwich. To Freeze: Allow the mixture to cool completely and store it in an air-tight, freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove.
Recipe Variations:
Add Veggies: Diced bell peppers, zucchini, spinach, or shredded carrot, can easily be added to this recipe and your kids won’t even notice a difference.Hawaiian Sloppy Joes: Substitute more BBQ sauce for the ketchup and add 8 oz., drained crushed pineapple.Asian Sloppy Joes: Add 1 tablespoon ground ginger and substitute 1 tablespoons hoisin sauce for the Worcestershire sauce. If desired mix in thinly sliced cucumber slices, chopped water chestnuts or shredded carrot.Turkey Sloppy Joes: Substitute ground turkey in place of ground beef and add chopped veggies. Low Carb Sloppy Joes: Serve in a lettuce leaf, or serve open-face on a low-carb bun, with a piece of cheese placed on top, and broiled in the oven for 2 minutes.
Serve Sloppy Joes with:
Green Salad, Cucumber Onion Salad, or Fresh Corn Salad Cold Cut Veggies and dip, Roasted Vegetables or Corn on the CobBaked Beans or Potato SaladMac and Cheese or Macaroni SaladFrench Fries, Potato Wedges or Sweet Potato FriesPotato Chips
I originally shared this recipe January 2018. Updated March 2022.
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