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Home ≫ Main Dish

Easy Sloppy Joes

By Nikole Berg Jun 9, 2020 · Updated: Mar 16, 2024

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close up view of a sloppy joe sandwich

Nothing beats a homemade recipe like this one for Easy Sloppy Joes. This version is made with ground beef that's coated in tangy-sweet sauce. If you need dinner in a hurry, then look no further than this dish that's ready in about 20 minutes.

close up of sloppy joe sandwich

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Why you'll love it

It's quick and easy. You'll love being able to get a filling dinner on the table in about 20 minutes, especially one the whole family will love.

It's made with easy to find ingredients. I'm a big fan of quick meals that come together without the fuss. Most of the time, I already have what I need to get this on the table without a trip to the grocery store.

It's just like the classic Sloppy Joe recipe you grew up with, but with a slight riff. This version is made with ancho chili powder that add a smokey heat to the dish. It's a variation we love, but you can certainly substitute with regular chili powder if that's what you have on hand.

Ingredients

overhead view of ingredients like hanburger buns, ground beef, and bbq sauce

Step by Step Instructions

Easy Sloppy Joes are so easy to make! Just gather and prep ingredients. Make the sauce, set aside.

2 photo collage showing sauce being made

Heat oil in a skillet. Add onions and sauté until softened and slightly caramelized, about 5 minutes. Add meat and cook until browned.

2 photo collage showing onions and ground beef being cooked in a skillet

Add sauce and season with salt and pepper. Cook until ground beef is completely cooked and sauce has thickened slightly.

2 photo collage showing ground beef being cooked with sauce

Toast hamburger buns and top with meat mixture and sliced pickles if desired.

two plates of sloppy joes with a side of bbq chips, pickles

Expert Tips

Substitute with ground turkey instead of ground beef.

Add one can drained and rinsed black or pinto beans. Use one pound of ground beef instead of 20 ounces.

Much of the flavor of the sauce will come from the BBQ sauce you use, so be sure to use one you love. We like to use both sweet and tangy flavors, or a mixture of the two!

What goes good with Easy Sloppy Joes?

Try these easy side dishes with this Easy Sloppy Joes Recipe:

  • Corn Casserole
  • Loaded Mashed Potatoes
  • Instant Pot Mexican Beans
  • Baked Mac and Cheese
  • Mexican Pasta Salad
straight on view of sloppy joe sandwich with a side of bbq chips-gray background

Other Family Favorites!

  • Ground Beef Tacos
  • Instant Pot Beef Brisket
  • Slow Cooker Meat Sauce
  • Beef Burritos
  • Creamy Sausage Pasta with Mushrooms

Email me the recipe!

Enter your email and I'll send it to your inbox!

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close up of easy sloppy joes with a hand picking up the sandwich

Easy Sloppy Joes

Recipe by Nikole Berg
This Easy Sloppy Joes recipe is made with ancho chili powder and ready in about 20 minutes!
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Dinner, lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 sandwiches
Calories 515 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup BBQ sauce your favorite kind
  • 4 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 teaspoon beef concentrate like Better than Bouillon
  • 2 tsp chili powder we like ancho chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 cup yellow onion chopped
  • 1 ¼   pounds ground beef 85%-90% lean
  • 1 teaspoon oil such as canola
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 Hamburger buns buttered and toasted.

Toppings

  • 2 whole pickles sliced; or pre-sliced

Instructions
 

  • Mix ½ cup BBQ sauce, 4 tablespoon ketchup, 2 teaspoon beef stock concentrate, 2 teaspoon chili powder, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and 2 tablespoon water. Set aside.
  • Add 1 teaspoon oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté ½ cup chopped onions until softened or slightly caramelized, about 5 minutes.
  • Add beef to pan, breaking up with a spoon or spatula. Sprinkle with salt and pepper (to taste) and cook until browned and almost cooked through.
  • Add sauce to beef mixture. Stir to combine.  Simmer on low heat until beef is cooked through and sauce is slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
  • If desired, brush softened butter over tops of buns before toasting.
  • Spoon ¼ meat mixture onto each of 4 buns. Serve with pickles.

Notes

Substitute ground beef with ground turkey.
Add one can drained and rinsed black or pinto beans. Use one pound of ground beef instead of 20 ounces.
Much of the flavor of the sauce will come from the BBQ sauce you use, so be sure to use one you love. We like to use both sweet and tangy flavors, or a mixture of the two!

 

Nutrition

Calories: 515kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 33gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 96mgSodium: 1009mgPotassium: 595mgFiber: 2gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 77IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 105mgIron: 5mg
Keyword 20 minute meal, bbq sauce, beef, family friendly, kid friendly, sandwiches
Tried this recipe?Click here to leave a helpful tip!

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About Nikole Berg

Nikole is the creator and photographer behind The Travel Palate, a food and travel blog featuring quick and flavorful recipes and getaway guides. Nikole hopes to inspire your inner foodie whether you're in the kitchen or traveling on your next adventure.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Geetha Priyanka

    November 04, 2018 at 12:01 pm

    This sounds like a perfect family dish infused with many amazing flavours.

    Reply
  2. Amanda

    November 04, 2018 at 9:56 am

    I've never had these so can't wait to try. They look delicious!

    Reply
  3. Beth

    November 02, 2018 at 12:02 pm

    Sloppy Joes are such a perfect, family friendly meal! I still love them! I love the thought of using the spicy ketchup and buttering the buns. I've never heard of that!

    Reply
  4. Lesli

    November 02, 2018 at 11:22 am

    Brings me back to being a kid! These Sloppy Joe's looks SO yummy!

    Reply
  5. priya

    October 24, 2018 at 1:04 am

    Yum!!! This looks and sounds great. Can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Welcome! I'm Nikole, the blogger, photographer, and recipe developer dedicated to bringing you recipes that maximize flavor with minimal effort.

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