How to Make Sloppy Joes

Learn how to make homemade Sloppy Joes for an easy family dinner. This version blends carrots, celery, onion and green pepper right into the sauce, giving the filling extra flavor while keeping the vegetables finely pureed.

You can make Sloppy Joes with ground beef, ground chicken or a combination of both. Make a large batch for dinner, then save the extras for another meal.

Homemade Sloppy Joe sandwich with vegetables blended into the sauce

Start Here: Homemade Sloppy Joes

Making Sloppy Joes for the first time? Start with the Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe.
Want to add vegetables? This recipe blends carrots, celery, onion and green pepper right into the sauce.
Planning ahead? See Slow Cooker & Freezer Tips.
Want another sandwich idea? Try the Barbecue Sandwiches.

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Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe

This homemade Sloppy Joe recipe blends carrots, celery, onion and green pepper right into the sauce. Use ground beef, ground chicken or a combination of both, and make extra if you want an easy meal to freeze for later.

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef, ground chicken or a combination of both
1 large onion, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon mustard
Hamburger buns, for serving

Directions

Add the onion, carrots, celery and green pepper to a blender or food processor.
Add the vinegar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and mustard.
Blend until the vegetables and sauce ingredients are finely pureed.
Add the ground meat to a large skillet and cook over medium heat, breaking it apart as it cooks.
Add the pureed vegetable mixture to the skillet and stir well.
Continue cooking and simmering for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is completely cooked and the sauce is heated through.
Serve the Sloppy Joe mixture warm on hamburger buns.

Use Beef, Chicken or Both

The original recipe can be made with ground beef, ground chicken or a mixture of the two. If you use ground chicken, make sure the mixture reaches 165F before serving.

Kids Cooking Tip: Kids can wash the vegetables, measure the ketchup and seasonings and help add ingredients to the blender. An adult should supervise the blender and handle the hot skillet.

Sloppy Joes and Toes

Sloppy Joes with chopped hot dogs mixed into the filling

Turn regular Sloppy Joes into a fun kid-friendly dinner by adding sliced hot dogs right to the saucy meat mixture. The hot dog pieces become the "toes" in this playful variation.

Ingredients

Prepared Homemade Sloppy Joe filling
Hot dogs, cooked and cut into bite-size pieces
Hamburger buns, for serving

Directions

Prepare the Homemade Sloppy Joe filling according to the recipe above.
Cook the hot dogs and cut them into small bite-size pieces.
Stir the hot dog pieces directly into the warm Sloppy Joe mixture.
Continue heating until everything is hot.
Spoon the Sloppy Joes and Toes mixture onto hamburger buns and serve warm.

Make the "Toes" Easy to Eat

Cut the hot dogs into small pieces before stirring them into the Sloppy Joe filling. Smaller pieces are easier to distribute throughout the mixture and make the sandwiches easier to eat.

Kids Cooking Tip: Kids can help stir the cooked hot dog pieces into the finished Sloppy Joe mixture and prepare the hamburger buns. An adult should handle cutting the hot dogs and working at the hot stove.

Kids Cooking Recipe Cards

Help kids practice reading recipes and following directions with recipe cards designed for young cooks. They're an easy companion to family recipes like Sloppy Joes and other simple meals kids can help prepare.

Slow Cooker & Freezer Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes work well for busy family meals because the filling can be prepared ahead, kept warm in a slow cooker or frozen for another dinner. The Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe makes a large batch, so you can serve some now and save the rest for later.

Keep Sloppy Joes Warm in a Slow Cooker

Prepare the Sloppy Joe mixture on the stovetop, then transfer the cooked filling to a slow cooker to keep warm for serving. This works especially well for family gatherings, parties or evenings when everyone is eating at a different time.

Freeze Sloppy Joe Filling

Prepare the Sloppy Joe filling and allow it to cool.
Divide the filling into meal-size portions.
Place each portion in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag.
Label with the contents and date, then freeze for a future meal.
Thaw frozen Sloppy Joe filling in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly before serving.

Freeze the Filling, Not the Sandwich

For the best texture, freeze the cooked Sloppy Joe mixture separately and add fresh hamburger buns when you're ready to serve it. Visit our Freezer Meals page for more make-ahead dinner ideas.

Kids Cooking Tip: Kids can help label freezer containers or bags with the recipe name and date. They can also help set out buns, cheese, pickles or other toppings when it's time to serve dinner.

Barbecue Sandwiches

Homemade barbecue ground beef sandwiches

This easy variation on Sloppy Joes uses tomato juice, spicy brown mustard, ketchup and onion flakes to create a simple saucy ground beef filling. Let it simmer until the flavors come together, then spoon it onto hamburger buns for an easy family dinner.

Ingredients

1 pound very lean ground beef
1/4 cup unsalted tomato juice
1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons onion flakes
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Hamburger buns, for serving

Directions

Add the ground beef to a skillet and cook over medium heat, breaking it apart as it browns.
Drain excess grease from the cooked beef.
Stir in the tomato juice, spicy brown mustard, ketchup and onion flakes.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Spoon the warm barbecue beef mixture onto hamburger buns and serve.

What Makes These Different from Sloppy Joes?

The Homemade Sloppy Joes above blend carrots, celery, onion and green pepper into a ketchup-based sauce. These Barbecue Sandwiches are simpler and get their distinctive flavor from tomato juice, spicy brown mustard and onion flakes.

Kids Cooking Tip: Kids can measure the tomato juice, mustard, ketchup and onion flakes before cooking begins. An adult should handle browning and draining the hot ground beef.

How to Make Sloppy Joes Video

Watch how to make an easy Sloppy Joe dinner and see how the ground beef and sauce come together for a quick sandwich filling.

More Easy Beef Recipes

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Easy Taco Recipes
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Make Family Meal Planning Easier

Sloppy Joes are an easy dinner to add to a weekly meal plan because the filling can be made ahead, frozen and reheated when you need a quick meal. Our meal planning resources can help you organize dinners, shopping and family favorites for the week ahead.

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Sloppy Joe FAQ

What meat can you use for Sloppy Joes?

You can make Sloppy Joes with ground beef, ground chicken or a combination of both. If you use ground poultry, make sure the filling reaches 165°F before serving.

Can you add vegetables to Sloppy Joes?

Yes. The homemade Sloppy Joe recipe on this page blends onion, carrots, celery and green pepper right into the sauce. Pureeing the vegetables helps distribute them throughout the filling.

Can you make Sloppy Joes ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare the filling ahead, refrigerate it and reheat it when you're ready to serve. You can also transfer cooked Sloppy Joe filling to a slow cooker to keep it warm for dinner or a gathering.

Can you freeze Sloppy Joe filling?

Yes. Allow the cooked filling to cool, divide it into meal-size portions and freeze it in freezer-safe containers or bags. Thaw it in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly before serving.

What can you serve with Sloppy Joes?

Sloppy Joes pair well with simple sides such as vegetables, salad, fruit, potato dishes or other easy family side dishes. Choose one or two sides to turn the sandwich into a complete meal.

How can kids help make Sloppy Joes?

Kids can wash vegetables, measure the ketchup and seasonings, help add ingredients to the blender and prepare buns and toppings. An adult should supervise the blender and handle the hot skillet.

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