Julie Clark
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Sloppy Joe Recipe: Homemade, From Scratch in 25 Minutes
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This homemade sloppy joe recipe makes a classic sweet and tangy dinner in just 24 minutes. The sauce is made from scratch wihtout ketchup.
Set aside the Manwich canned sauce and make your own sauce with tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard and vinegar. This old fashioned recipe is the one I’ve turned to from my early days of marriage because it is so easy.
You might also like our sloppy joe pasta and Italian sloppy joes which both are also easy family dinners.
The Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe That Doesn’t Use Ketchup
Years ago when I started looking for a homemade sloppy joes recipe, I flipped right past any that called for ketchup. I wanted to be able to control the amount of sugar and seasonings in the sauce, so using tomato sauce as a base was a must. Same goes with my spaghetti sauce.
Side note is that many times sloppy joe meat is called a “loose meat sandwich”. It makes sense, right?
This sloppy joe recipe has the perfect mix of flavor thanks to the bell pepper, onion, tomato sauce and brown sugar. Kids will love it served on hamburger buns with a slice of cheese.
Try serving the homemade sloppy joes with corn casserole, calico beans, oven baked fries or white cheddar mac and cheese. And maybe a chocolate chip cupcake for dessert.
And try our homemade hamburger helper or quesadilla burger next.
Enjoy, -Julie
What ingredients are needed for sloppy joes?
The sauce only needs a few basic ingredients, most of which are pantry staples. Tomato sauce makes up the base, brown sugar adds sweetness, Worcestershire sauce adds depth and the other ingredients add flavor.
I always choose a lean ground beef because it keeps the mixture from being overly greasy. If your beef releases a lot of fat while cooking, drain it before adding the sauce.
See the recipe card below for complete ingredients and amounts.
Homemade Sloppy Joes (25 Minutes)
This no-ketchup sloppy joe recipe takes 25 minutes and uses simple ingredients. A thick, saucy filling with clear steps for a reliable dinner.
Servings 4
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 cup diced white onion
- 1/4 cup diced green pepper
- 1 cup tomato sauce 1 8-ounce can
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, minced garlic, onion and pepper. Crumble the ground beef as it cooks. Drain off any fat. 1 pound lean ground beef, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, ¼ cup diced white onion, ¼ cup diced green pepper
- Add the remaining ingredients to the skillet. Stir well. Cover and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. 1 cup tomato sauce, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard, 1 teaspoon salt
- Serve on sandwich buns or over potatoes if desired.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and use within 3 days. Reheat any leftovers in the microwave or in a skillet on the stove top.
Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.
The calories shown are based on the recipe serving 4, with 1 serving being ¼ of the sloppy joe meat. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. **
Nutrition
Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 1018mg | Potassium: 655mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 304IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 4mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you keep homemade sloppy joes warm in a crock pot?
Yes! Cook the sloppy joe completely on the stovetop, then transfer to a low cooker and keep on low heat or warm until serving. The slow cooker is best used for keeping the meat warm instead of cooking raw beef.
Can I use ground turkey?
Yes. You may use ground chicken, too.
Can you make sloppy joes without ketchup?
Yes. This recipe is specifically made without ketchup. Tomato sauce is used as the base along with other ingredients for the savory and tangy flavor you’d expect from a classic Sloppy Joe sauce.
