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Are you tired of the same old boring dinner? Spice things up with homemade sloppy joes without using ketchup. Sloppy joes are an easy dinner that your whole family will love. With simple ingredients, you can have an easy meal in under 30 minutes.
What Are Homemade Sloppy Joes?
Homemade sloppy Joes are an easy alternative to canned sloppy Joe sauce. You likely already have the ingredients in your fridge and pantry to prepare this easy appetizer or meal.
What Are The Ingredients In Homemade Sloppy Joes?
A printable recipe card with quantities and instructions can be found below.
- Ground Beef – Ground beef is the protein for this recipe. We buy half a beef yearly, so we always have plenty in the freezer.
- Bell Pepper and Onion – An easy way to sneak a little vegetables in and they add flavor to the sloppy Joes.
- Tomato Sauce – Tomato sauce provides the base since the homemade sloppy Joes do not have ketchup in the sauce.
- Dijon Mustard – I like using Dijon mustard for the extra flavor.
- Worcestershire Sauce – This flavor is tough to describe, but it adds a depth of flavor. It has a salty, tangy, savory flavors.
- Brown Sugar – This balances out all the other flavors and adds just a hint of sweetness to the homemade sloppy Joe sauce.
- Garlic, Black Pepper, and Salt – Flavor, flavor, flavor.
- Chili Powder – Just a little here. The amount used is not enough to be spicy, but it adds a little extra flavor.
How Do You Make Sloppy Joes?
- Begin by browning the ground beef in a large skillet or pot, crumbling the ground beef as it cooks. I generally use my Le Creuset 4.5 quart Dutch Oven.
- After 5 minutes, add the diced onions and peppers.
- Cook until the ground beef is cooked thoroughly and the onions are translucent.
- Drain the excess grease from the ground beef.
- Add in the remaining ingredients. Stir well.
- Bring to a simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve and enjoy!
Variations
- Ground turkey sausage could be used in place of the ground beef.
- You can use yellow mustard in place of the Dijon mustard.
Ways To Serve Sloppy Joes
- On A Bun – This is the most traditional way to serve sloppy Joes. Scoop the prepared meat into a bun and add optional toppings including sliced cheese, pickles, mustard, and sliced onion.
- Sloppy Joe Sliders – They can be served as the main dish in a meal, but they also make amazing appetizers.
What Sides To Serve With Sloppy Joes?
- Roasted Potatoes With Onions
- Cheesy Smashed Potatoes
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Tater Tots
- Pickles – I love pickles on my sloppy joes, and they can also be served on the side.
- Pasta Salad
How To Store Homemade Leftover Sloppy Joes?
- The homemade sloppy Joes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Store leftover sloppy Joe in the freezer for up to 4 months in an airtight container.
Homemade Sloppy Joes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 sandwiches 1x
Description
Who could resist a homemade sloppy Joe sandwich? Ground beef is covered with tangy, sweet tomato sauce – the perfect comfort food. If you’re looking for a delicious and easy way to liven up your weeknight dinner routine, look no further.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1/2 bell pepper
- 1/2 onion
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 10 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 8 hamburger buns
- Pickles (optional)
- Sliced onions (optional)
Instructions
- Begin by browning the ground beef in a large skillet or pot. Breaking up the meat as it cooks.
- Dice the half onion and half pepper and add to the ground beef after 5 minutes.
- Continue cooking the ground beef and vegetables for approximately ten more minutes or until the meat is thoroughly cooked and the onions and peppers are tender.
- Drain the excess grease.
- Add the tomato sauce, spices, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes.
- Serve on buns and enjoy!
Equipment
Le Creuset 4.5 quart Dutch Oven
Buy Now →Notes
- Substitute ground turkey for the ground beef for a lightened-up dish.
- Yellow mustard can be used in place of the Dijon mustard.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American