Best Ever Sloppy Joes
A classic comfort food, these Best Ever Sloppy Joes bring a savory blend of ground beef, vegetables, and a tangy tomato sauce. Simple to make, they offer a deliciously messy meal perfect for any occasion.
The combination of onions, garlic, carrots, and celery adds a subtle sweetness that balances the savory meat and bold tomato sauce. Each bite is packed with layers of flavor, from the Worcestershire sauce to the touch of brown sugar.
Perfectly served over toasted hamburger buns, these sloppy Joes are an irresistible and satisfying choice for a quick dinner or casual gathering. Messy? Absolutely—on purpose!
Best Ever Sloppy Joes – Ingredients
The rich base of ground beef forms the hearty foundation of this dish, bringing savory depth and satisfying texture. Complemented by sautéed onions, garlic, carrots, and celery, these vegetables add a natural sweetness and balanced flavor.
The tangy tomato sauce, enhanced by ketchup and Worcestershire sauce, provides a perfect balance of sweet and sour. A hint of brown sugar and red wine vinegar further elevates the flavor profile, creating a well-rounded, irresistible sauce.
A touch of spices—thyme, cayenne pepper, and cloves—infuses the mixture with warmth and complexity, while freshly ground black pepper adds a finishing kick. All of these elements come together in a truly memorable sloppy Joe experience.
Best Ever Sloppy Joes: A Flavorful Feast
Recipe Tips
- Brown the Meat Well
When browning the ground beef, avoid stirring it too soon. Let it cook on one side until it’s deeply browned, then flip. This enhances the flavor, providing a rich and savory base for the sloppy Joe filling. Browning the meat in batches, if necessary, prevents overcrowding and ensures even cooking. - Use Fresh Vegetables
For optimal flavor and texture, use fresh onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. These vegetables sautéed together form a deliciously aromatic base that infuses the entire dish. If you’re in a rush, consider pulsing the vegetables in a food processor for a quicker prep time. - Adjust the Sauce to Taste
The key to the perfect sloppy Joe is balancing the sweet and tangy sauce. Taste the sauce before serving and adjust it with more Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, or sugar if needed. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat or tweak the spices to suit your personal preference.
What to Serve with Best Ever Sloppy Joes
- Crispy French Fries
Pair these messy, flavorful sloppy Joes with crispy, golden French fries. Their salty crunch offers the perfect contrast to the savory, sweet filling. For extra flavor, consider tossing the fries in seasoned salt or dipping them in your favorite sauce. - Coleslaw
A refreshing side of creamy coleslaw complements the richness of sloppy Joes. The tangy dressing and crisp cabbage provide a refreshing crunch that balances the hearty and saucy nature of the main dish, creating a satisfying meal. - Pickles and Chips
Serve your sloppy Joes with a side of tangy pickle slices and crunchy potato chips. The pickles cut through the richness of the beef, while the chips add an extra layer of crunch to each bite, enhancing the overall eating experience.
FAQ
- Can I make these sloppy Joes in advance?
Yes! This recipe can be made ahead of time. Simply store the filling in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, and serve with freshly toasted buns. - Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for ground beef to create a lighter version of the dish. Keep in mind that the flavor will be slightly different, but the overall recipe still works wonderfully. - Can I freeze the leftover sloppy Joe mix?
Yes, you can freeze the sloppy Joe mixture for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer bag. When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat thoroughly. - How can I make this recipe spicier?
If you like more heat, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add some hot sauce to the mix. You could also incorporate finely chopped jalapeños or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
Best Ever Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup finely minced carrots substitute with bell pepper if preferred
- 1 cup finely diced onion approximately 1 medium onion
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 pounds ground beef
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 cups tomato sauce or 1 15-ounce can of whole tomatoes, puréed
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
- Pinch of ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 2 turns freshly ground black pepper
- 4 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables
- Begin by heating olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the minced carrots and cook for about 5 minutes. If using bell peppers instead of carrots, add them with the onions. Next, incorporate the chopped onion and celery, stirring occasionally until the onions turn translucent, which should take around 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic, cooking for an additional 30 seconds before removing the vegetables from the pan. Set them aside in a medium bowl.
- Brown the Ground Beef
- In the same pan, crumble the ground beef, seasoning it lightly with salt. Allow the beef to cook undisturbed on one side until it is well-browned before flipping it to brown the other side. If needed, cook the meat in batches to prevent overcrowding. Once browned, remove the beef from the pan using a slotted spoon and set it aside with the vegetables.
- Prepare the Sloppy Joe Mix
- Drain excess fat from the pan, leaving just a tablespoon behind. Return the cooked beef and vegetables to the pan. Stir with a wooden spoon, breaking up any larger chunks of meat. Add the ketchup, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, and brown sugar to the pan, mixing well. Season the mixture with ground cloves, thyme, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mix simmer for approximately 10 minutes, adjusting the seasoning to taste as needed.
