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    Home ≫ Main Dish

    Easy Sloppy Joes

    Updated January 8, 2022. Originally Posted June 9, 2020 By Nikole This post may contain Amazon affiliate links.

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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 that's made spiced with ancho chili powder. 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

    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

    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
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 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 ancho chili powder
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • 2 tbsp water
    • 1 ¼   pounds ground beef 85%-90% lean
    • 1 teaspoon oil such as canola
    • 1 cup yellow onion chopped
    • Salt and pepper
    • 4 Hamburger buns buttered and toasted.

    Toppings

    • 2 whole pickles sliced; or pre-sliced

    Instructions
     

    • Chop onions, set aside. Mix BBQ sauce, ketchup, beef stock concentrate, ancho chili powder, salt, pepper, cornstarch, and 2 tablespoon water. Set aside.
    • On medium, heat oil in a cast iron or non-stick skillet. Sauté 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 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

    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

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    Welcome, I'm Nikole! I'm the blogger, photographer, and recipe developer dedicated to bringing you recipes that are simple to make, affordable and taste incredible.

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