Love this recipe? Share it with your people 💕

This from-scratch, saucy sloppy joe recipe with a kick is a leveled up classic! Heavy with herbs and spices like bay leaf, a cinnamon stick, cumin, oregano, whole tomatoes, and lean ground beef, the aroma coming from the kitchen is going to lure everyone in.

The next time you have friends coming over, give yourself a little extra time and make these homemade sloppy joes from scratch!

Choosing the Right Meat

Ground beef (80/20 blend): This is the classic choice that delivers the best balance of flavor and texture. The fat content keeps the meat juicy without being greasy, and it browns beautifully for maximum taste.

Lean ground beef (90/10): A lighter option that works well if you prefer less fat, though you may need to add a touch more oil to prevent sticking and ensure proper browning.

Ground turkey: Creates a lighter, healthier version while still maintaining great flavor. Choose ground turkey that’s 85/15 for the best results—too lean and it can become dry.

Ground pork: Adds incredible richness and a slightly sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with tangy sloppy joe sauce. Try mixing it half-and-half with ground beef for a bit of indulgence.

Diced steak: For a more upscale twist, use small cubes of chuck roast or sirloin—similar to a Philly cheesesteak approach. Brown the pieces well and simmer longer to ensure tenderness.

Cooking Method Matters

Skillet method (recommended): Cook in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat for the best control and flavor development. The direct heat creates those coveted browned bits (fond) that add incredible depth to your sauce.

Slow cooker option: While convenient, you’ll miss out on the initial browning that creates complex flavors. If using a slow cooker, brown the meat in a skillet first, then transfer to the slow cooker with your sauce ingredients.

Instant Pot approach: Combine the speed of pressure cooking with the flavor benefits by using the sauté function to brown the meat first, then add sauce ingredients and pressure cook for just a few minutes.

The crumbling technique: Break ground meat into small, uniform pieces as it cooks—about pea-sized. This ensures even cooking and the perfect texture for spooning onto buns.

Tips for Perfect Sloppy Joes

Make-Ahead Magic

Prep the sauce the night before to cut down on dinner rush stress. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If the mixture seems too thick the next day, stir in a tablespoon of water to loosen it up—no need to go overboard with liquid.

The Secret Ingredient

Don’t skip the apple cider vinegar—this tangy addition cuts through the sweetness and creates that perfect flavor balance that makes sloppy joes irresistible.

Serving Suggestions

Classic pairings: Serve with crispy potato chips and a fresh side salad for the traditional experience. For a heartier meal, try them alongside creamy mashed potatoes topped with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.

Party-Perfect Presentation

Use a slow cooker for crowds: Keep the mixture warm and ready for self-serve. This prevents overcooking and guests can help themselves when they’re ready.

Pro Tips for Maximum Flavor

Brown the meat thoroughly: Don’t rush this step—well-browned ground beef develops deeper, richer flavors that make all the difference.

Toast your buns: Lightly butter and toast hamburger buns in a skillet, toaster oven or air fryer for extra texture and to help prevent soggy bottoms.

Let it simmer: Allow the mixture to cook low and slow for at least 15-20 minutes after adding the sauce ingredients. This concentrates flavors and achieves the perfect consistency. Remember, it needs to be very thick.

Taste and adjust: Before serving, taste your mixture and adjust seasonings—a pinch more salt, a dash of hot sauce, or an extra splash of vinegar can elevate the entire dish.

Storage Solutions

Freeze for later convenience: Leftover sloppy joe mixture keeps beautifully in freezer containers for up to two months. Cool completely before freezing, and thaw overnight in the refrigerator when ready to use.

The bottom line

Great sloppy joes are all about three things: brown that meat well, don’t skip the vinegar, and let it simmer. Do those right and you’ll have a hearty dinner that’s way better than anything from a can. Sometimes the simplest recipes are the most rewarding!

We’ve got you covered for sides that go with Sloppy Joes, too!

Authentic Sloppy Joe Recipe

Renee’ Groskreutz

This from-scratch, authentic Sloppy Joe recipe is tried-and-true mouthwatering! Heavy on herbs and spices, elevate the classic sloppy joe with this homemade version!

5 from 7 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

Don’t lose this recipe! Enter your email and we’ll send it instantly.

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 tomatoes
• 1 red or orange bell pepper deseeded and finely diced
• 1 Fresno pepper deseeded and chopped (optional)
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 medium onion finely diced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 T cumin
• 2 T chili powder
• 1 T oregano
• 1 T dill
• 1 T coriander
• 3 t paprika smoked or sweet
• 1 – 3 t crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 t thyme
• 1 t cayenne
• 1/4 c apple cider vinegar
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/4 c Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 c ketchup
• 3 T molasses you can substitute ¼ c brown sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Buns of your choice I used sourdough rolls I had in my freezer, but try brioche or kaiser rolls!
• 2 T of butter for edge-to-edge bun coverage

Instructions

 

• Bring 6 cups of salted water to a boil. Lightly score the tomatoes and carefully drop them into the boiling water. While they boil, prepare an ice bath.
• Cook the tomatoes until the skins are loose, around 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully take them out and cool them down completely in the ice bath.
• Mince and dice the bell pepper, Fresno pepper, garlic and onion. Peel and grate your tomatoes into a bowl.
• Warm a large cast-iron skillet or saucepot over medium high heat with two tablespoons of olive oil.
• Heat oil, toss the onions and peppers into the skillet until onions are translucent, around 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the spices and toast until fragrant, around 30 seconds. Incorporate the garlic until fragrant, another 30 seconds.
• Add the grated tomatoes and apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes and add your ground beef.
• Once your meat is about 80% browned, add the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, molasses, and about 1 cup of water. Incorporate.
• Bring to a boil and lower the heat to a simmer. Cook until sloppy joe sauce is thick and nearly all cooked off, about 30-45 minutes. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper (I use only 1 tablespoon salt).
• Remove the cinnamon stick and bay leaves.
• Toast the buns with butter for a nice crust and assemble each toasted bun with the sloppy joe meat. 
• Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

• Add chopped pickles for a delicious tangy kick, or just have slices/spears on the side.
• Top the sloppy joes with a slice of cheese to make these joes even sloppier!
• Toasting/grilling the buns adds such a great depth of flavor. Extra tablespoons of butter slathered on edge to edge of each cut side of the buns is so good.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Love this recipe? Share it with your people 💕