Sloppy Joes Recipe
Messy, saucy, and irresistibly satisfying
Sloppy Joes are a fun twist on the classic burger—ground meat simmers in a tangy, tomato-based sauce and is piled high on a soft bun. Yes, they can be a bit messy, but that’s part of the charm! Ready in under 20 minutes, they’re perfect for busy weeknights, casual gatherings, or any time you crave comfort food with minimal fuss.
What Makes Sloppy Joes So Tasty?
The beauty of Sloppy Joes lies in their simplicity and bold flavor. A quick sauté of onions and garlic builds an aromatic base, then canned tomatoes, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce transform ground beef into a sweet-tangy, slightly spicy filling. Spoon it onto buns, add your favorite toppings, and dive in—no utensils required!
Ingredient Breakdown: How Each One Works Its Magic
- Onion & Garlic: Provide a savory aromatic foundation.
- Ground Beef: The hearty, meaty star that soaks up the sauce.
- Margarine (or Butter): Helps brown the meat and adds richness.
- Canned Tomatoes: Create the saucy body and bring acidity.
- Ketchup & Worcestershire Sauce: Sweetness, tang, and umami depth.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and enhance flavors.
- Buns & Fresh Veggies: Soft bread and crisp lettuce/tomato contrast the rich filling.
- Grated Cheese: Melts into the hot filling for extra gooeyness (optional, but highly recommended).
Make-Ahead Instructions
- Meat Filling: Cook the beef mixture up to 2 days in advance. Store in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat gently before assembling.
- Prep Veggies: Chop lettuce and slice tomatoes ahead of time; store in separate containers.
Storing and Reheating
- Fridge: Keep the cooled filling in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze the cooled filling (without buns or veggies) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Reheating: Warm the filling on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of water if it’s too thick.
Time and Yield
- Prep & Cook: 15–20 minutes
- Yields: 4 sandwiches
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Sauté aromatics & meat
Finely chop 1 onion and mince 2 cloves of garlic. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt 1 Tbsp margarine. Add the onion, garlic, and 400 g (14 oz) ground beef. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned (5–8 minutes). - Build the sauce
Stir in 1 can (400 g / 14 oz) chopped tomatoes, 4 Tbsp ketchup (¼ cup), and 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce. Simmer until the mixture thickens slightly, 3–4 minutes. Season with ¼ tsp salt and ¼ tsp ground black pepper. - Assemble the Sloppy Joes
Split 4 hamburger buns and, if desired, toast them lightly. Layer each bottom bun with a leaf of lettuce and a slice of tomato. Spoon the hot meat sauce generously over the veggies. Top with ¾ of the remaining grated cheese, then crown with the top bun. - Serve
Enjoy immediately—napkins recommended!
Ingredients (Metric & US)
4 portions/servings
- 1 onion, finely chopped (≈ 150 g / 5.3 oz)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 400 g ground beef (≈ 14 oz / 0.88 lb)
- 1 Tbsp margarine (≈ 14 g / 1 Tbsp)
- 1 can chopped tomatoes (400 g / 14 oz)
- 4 Tbsp ketchup (60 ml / ¼ cup)
- 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce (30 ml / 2 Tbsp)
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 4 hamburger buns
- 4 leaves lettuce (e.g., iceberg or romaine)
- 3 slices tomato
- 300 ml grated white cheese (≈ 125 g / 1¼ cups)
Vegetarian Version
Substitute the beef with a plant-based ground “meat” or cooked lentils. Use vegetable margarine and add a dash of smoked paprika for extra depth. Everything else remains the same!
Nutritional Info
per portion/serving
Calories: 594 kcal Fat: 26 g Protein: 34 g Carbohydrates: 53 g
Sloppy Joes
The beauty of Sloppy Joes lies in their simplicity and bold flavor. A quick sauté of onions and garlic builds an aromatic base, then canned tomatoes, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce transform ground beef into a sweet-tangy, slightly spicy filling. Spoon it onto buns, add your favorite toppings, and dive in—no utensils required!
Ingredients
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 0.88 lb ground beef (400 g)
- 1 Tbsp margarine
- 1 can chopped tomatoes
- 4 Tbsp ketchup
- 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 4 hamburger buns
- 4 leaves lettuce
- 3 slices tomato
- 1¼ cups grated cheese (125 g)
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics & meat: Finely chop 1 onion and mince 2 cloves of garlic. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt 1 Tbsp margarine. Add the onion, garlic, and 400 g (14 oz) ground beef. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned (5–8 minutes).
- Build the sauce: Stir in 1 can (400 g / 14 oz) chopped tomatoes, 4 Tbsp ketchup (¼ cup), and 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce. Simmer until the mixture thickens slightly, 3–4 minutes. Season with ¼ tsp salt and ¼ tsp ground black pepper.
- Assemble the Sloppy Joes: Split 4 hamburger buns and, if desired, toast them lightly. Layer each bottom bun with a leaf of lettuce and a slice of tomato. Spoon the hot meat sauce generously over the veggies. Top with ¾ of the remaining grated cheese, then crown with the top bun.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately—napkins recommended!