Description
This Best Homemade Sloppy Joes recipe is a classic American comfort food made with seasoned ground beef, vegetables, and a rich tomato-based sauce. It’s simmered to develop deep flavors and served on toasted hamburger buns for the perfect messy, flavorful sandwich that’s great for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 2 ribs celery, diced
Sauce & Seasoning
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic (about 4 cloves)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Serving
- 8 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Brown the Beef & Onion: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Drain the Fat: Carefully drain any excess fat from the skillet to avoid a greasy filling, then return the skillet to the heat.
- Add Vegetables & Sauce: Add the diced green bell pepper, diced celery, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, brown sugar, salt, ground mustard, and crushed red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir well to fully combine all ingredients into a rich, flavorful mixture.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to allow the flavors to meld.
- Toast the Buns: Preheat your oven’s broiler and place the oven rack about 12 inches beneath the broiler. Place the hamburger buns open-face on a baking sheet and broil for 1 to 2 minutes until lightly browned and toasted. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Assemble & Serve: Spoon the hot Sloppy Joe mixture generously onto the toasted buns. Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Drain excess fat after browning the beef to keep the filling from being greasy.
- Simmering the mixture uncovered thickens the sauce and intensifies the flavors.
- Toast buns under the broiler for a quick crispy texture—watch closely to avoid burning.
- You can adjust the crushed red pepper flakes amount to make the sandwich milder or spicier.
- For a healthier version, substitute ground turkey or lean ground beef.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
