Dinner · Tested at home
The Best Homemade Sloppy Joes
These homemade sloppy joes are saucy, savory, slightly sweet, and much more flavorful than anything from a can. Bell pepper, onion, garlic, barbecue sauce, mustard, and optional hot sauce give the beef plenty of character while keeping the recipe weeknight friendly.
Prep10 minutes
Cook30 minutes
Total40 minutes
Makes6 sandwiches
Get everything ready
Ingredients
Tap an ingredient as you use it to keep your place.
Turn up the heat
Let’s cook.
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
- Add the onion and bell pepper. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until they begin to soften. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thick enough to hold on a bun.
- Taste and adjust the salt or hot sauce. Spoon the filling onto the hamburger buns and serve warm.
From Justin’s kitchen
Start with 1 teaspoon hot sauce and add more after the mixture has simmered. Refrigerate the filling for up to 4 days.