Sloppy Joes Sandwiches (2024)

Sloppy joes are an all-American classic. They’re a favorite kid-friendly food, and making them from scratch is the best way to know exactly what goes into the mix. You can easily prepare this crowd-pleasing sloppy joe recipe for your family or just yourself.

Why are sloppy joes called sloppy joes?

There are many origin stories of the sloppy joe recipe. One is that it was born in 1918 at a bar in Havana, Cuba, owned by José Abeal y Otero. He changed the name of his establishment after his American friends gave him the nickname “Sloppy Joe.” He had sandwiches on his menu, but they weren’t much like the sloppy joes we enjoy today.

Another story goes that a second Sloppy Joe’s Bar was christened in 1933 in Key West, Florida. Legend has it that Ernest Hemingway was a regular at the bar, and suggested that the owner rename it after the popular bar in Cuba. This is where the sandwich was crafted into the more recognizable version we know today.

Most people, however, believe that sloppy joes appeared first in the ’20s from a cook at Ye Old Tavern in Sioux City, Iowa, by the name of Joe. He combined tomato sauce with seasoned ground beef in a loose meat sandwich, and the first recipe for how to make sloppy joes was created.

While the master chef behind this beloved sandwich is still up for debate, the most important fact remains—they are so good to eat.

Sloppy Joe Ingredients

  • Ground beef
  • Ketchup
  • Water
  • Brown sugar
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Prepared mustard
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Salt
  • Hamburger buns

Directions

Step 1: Cook and drain beef

In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until nicely browned, and then drain.

Step 2: Add ingredients

Return the meat to the pan over medium heat and add in the remaining ingredients; stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to a low simmer.

Step 3: Simmer and serve

Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, then serve them up on sliced buns—pickle chips optional.

Sloppy Joe Variations

There are endless varieties of sloppy joes. This recipe is perfect if you prefer the classic flavor. But you could jazz it up by turning it intoSloppy Joe Pastaor evenSloppy Joe Pizza!

Sloppy Joe Tips

Do you drain the meat for sloppy joes?

We suggest draining the browned beef, because excess grease serves as a barrier to sloppy joe seasonings. You’ll want the beef to absorb these wonderful flavors as it cooks.

How do you thicken sloppy joes?

If your meat mixture seems too thin after simmering for 15 to 20 minutes, cook, uncovered, until it reaches the desired consistency, stirring frequently. You could also try making athickening agentby combining 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water. Stir into the filling towards the end of cooking time and simmer until thickened.

What can I add to sloppy joes?

Sloppy joes are excellent for sparking your creativity! Stir in chopped tomatoes, peppers, onions, green chilies or chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. You can even top the filling with pickles or a slice of melted cheese. To really ramp up your sloppy joe game, check out theseunique sloppy joe recipesor any of thesequick sloppy joe recipes.

Watch how to Make Sloppy Joes Sandwiches

Test Kitchen Approved

Sloppy Joes Sandwiches

110 reviews

Prep Time30 min

Yield4 servings.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons prepared mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 hamburger buns, split
Text Ingredients

Directions

  1. In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the ketchup, water, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Serve on buns.

Nutrition Facts

1 sandwich: 439 calories, 16g fat (6g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 1360mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein.

Author

April Preisler

April is a food and travel lover, wine enthusiast, ice cream aficionado and the vision behind the blog, Food n' Focus. She also develops recipes for Taste of Home. Her favorite cuisine is Italian and she loves to cook international recipes.

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Sloppy Joes Sandwiches (1)

Sloppy Joes Sandwiches (2024)

FAQs

What makes sloppy joe taste better? ›

Bell pepper – we used green, but you can substitute a different color in a pinch. Onion & Garlic – these aromatics add great flavor and disappear into the sauce so picky eaters won't complain. Homemade Sauce – just a few simple pantry ingredients will make a sauce that's better than any store-bought sauce.

What does sloppy joe mean in slang? ›

a man or youth whose appearance is habitually slovenly.

What is the original Sloppy Joe sandwich? ›

The Sloppy Joe's history, however, is a bit more complex. Some attribute the original Sloppy Joe to a cafe in Sioux City, Iowa, where, many years ago, in 1930 a cook named Joe added tomato sauce to his “loose meat” sandwiches. Voila: a new between-the-bread offering, and the sandwich's official name.

What is the difference between sloppy joe and Manwich? ›

Sloppy Joes are the sandwich, while Manwich is the store-bought canned sloppy joe sauce, produced by ConAgra Foods and Hunt's. What is this? While the brand markets this product as a quick and easy one-pan meal, I strongly recommend you make the sauce from scratch.

How to doctor up sloppy joes? ›

Canned chiles can also add loads of flavor and texture to your sloppy joes. Mild Hatch chiles are perfect for people who don't want their sloppy joes too spicy, while chipotle chiles add some heat and some lovely smokiness. You could also opt for fresh chiles like fruity (and super spicy) habaneros or milder Anaheims.

What can I add to canned sloppy joe mix to make it taste better? ›

Enhancing canned Sloppy Joe sauce is as simple as stirring in a couple of tablespoons of your favorite salsa. Salsa seamlessly complements Sloppy Joe sauce for a couple of reasons. First, both are tomato-based sauces, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavors.

What is a fancy name for a Sloppy Joe? ›

Some other names for sloppy joes include: barbecues, dynamites, gulash, sloppy janes, slushburgers, steamers, wimpies, and yum yums. What do you call sloppy joes where you live? Just like the many names for sloppy joes, you'll also find all sorts of variations on the recipe.

What does Manwich stand for? ›

Manwich, a portmanteau of man and sandwich, is the brand name of a canned sloppy joe sauce produced by ConAgra Foods and Hunt's, introduced in 1969. The can contains seasoned tomato sauce that is added to ground beef cooked in a skillet.

What do people in Wisconsin call Sloppy Joes? ›

sloppy Joes. Some in southeastern and central Wisconsin call these "barbecue" sandwiches. For those who say Spanish hamburger, there's a good chance they grew up in the Fox Cities. Outside of Wisconsin, sloppy Joe is the dominant name.

What nationality are Sloppy Joes? ›

Sloppy joe
A homemade sloppy joe with coleslaw
TypeSandwich
Place of originUnited States or Cuba
Created byPossibly José "Sloppy Joe" Abeal y Otero
Serving temperatureHot
6 more rows

What's the difference between a sloppy joe and a sloppy Jane? ›

If you're aiming to eat a lower-fat diet, then consider fixing yourself a sloppy jane. This variant on the sloppy joe swaps out regular ground beef for leaner beef. It also places a higher focus on vegetables and other low-calorie ingredients.

Are Sloppy Joes a southern thing? ›

Many believe the Sloppy Joe is the namesake of a Sioux City, Iowa cook, who in 1930, combined the regionally popular loose meat sandwich with tomato sauce. It's less messy predecessor, the loose meat sandwich is a Midwestern favorite of steamed or sauteed ground beef, onions, mustard and pickles.

What is the New Jersey version of Sloppy Joe? ›

There are minor variations depending on the deli, but it is always a double-decker thin sliced rye bread sandwich made with one or more types of sliced deli meat, such as turkey, ham, pastrami, corned beef, roast beef, or sliced beef tongue, along with Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian dressing.

Are you supposed to drain the grease from sloppy joes? ›

Sloppy Joe Tips

We suggest draining the browned beef, because excess grease serves as a barrier to sloppy joe seasonings. You'll want the beef to absorb these wonderful flavors as it cooks.

What goes good on sloppy joe? ›

Toppings, Sauces & Salsas
  • Caramelized Mushrooms. Caramelized mushrooms are so sweet and tender, and they add the perfect burst of flavor to a Sloppy Joe by complementing meaty flavors and adding in extra protein! ...
  • Roasted Corn Salsa. ...
  • Edamame Guacamole (High Protein) ...
  • Garlic Sauce.
Oct 27, 2023

Should you drain meat before adding sloppy joe sauce? ›

Sloppy Joe Tips

We suggest draining the browned beef, because excess grease serves as a barrier to sloppy joe seasonings.

What is a New Jersey style sloppy joe? ›

There are minor variations depending on the deli, but it is always a double-decker thin sliced rye bread sandwich made with one or more types of sliced deli meat, such as turkey, ham, pastrami, corned beef, roast beef, or sliced beef tongue, along with Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian dressing.

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