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Homemade Sloppy Joes

Stacey Littleby Updated: Feb 5, 2025

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Give canned sauce the boot and try these Homemade Sloppy Joes! A handful of simple ingredients in all you need to make this quick and easy supper!

Homemade Sloppy Joes with french fries.

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Ground beef is one of those things that can really work to stretch a family’s grocery budget. And while it might not be as affordable as it once was, it’s still an economical way to put food on the table.

This quick and super easy Sloppy Joes recipe is a great alternative to the canned sauce. Even my wife, who doesn’t like Sloppy Joes, loves this version.

Homemade Sloppy Joes with french fries.

What is a sloppy joe and where did it come from?

Sloppy Joes are simple, loose meat sandwiches with a sweet and tangy sauce that are typically served on hamburger buns. They’re a hearty, comforting dish that everyone in the family will love – especially the kids!

The history of Sloppy Joes is a little fuzzy, though. Some say they were created by a cook named Joe at a restaurant in Sioux City, Iowa. Others credit a bar owner in Havana, Cuba named José “Sloppy Joe” Abeal y Otero when he stewed ground beef and tomatoes together.

Homemade Sloppy Joes with french fries.

Are sloppy joes and Manwiches the same?

Well, yes and no. Sloppy Joe are a dish and Manwich is a brand of premade, canned sloppy joe sauce.

This homemade version replaces the canned sauce with one that you can make with just a handful of simple ingredients. You’ll know exactly what’s in this scratch version and I think it has a much better taste!

Homemade Sloppy Joes with french fries.

Ingredient FAQ

  • Ground Beef – Any type or ratio of ground beef will work in this recipe. I typically buy ground chuck, but ground sirloin, round, etc. will work. You could even use ground turkey or ground chicken if you’d like.
  • Onion – I typically use whatever onion I have on-hand. Yellow, white, red, and sweet onions will all work. I suppose you could use about 1 tablespoon of onion powder instead.
  • Green Bell Pepper – I use half of a small green bell pepper that has been seeded and finely diced. For those picky eaters, you can mince the pepper and onion in a food chopper.
  • Garlic Powder – I like the milder flavor of garlic powder for this recipe, but you can use a clove of minced fresh garlic as well.
  • Ketchup – Pick your favorite brand. I’m a Heinz guy.
  • Brown Sugar – Light or dark brown sugar will work. The darker sugar will give it more molasses flavor.
  • Yellow Mustard – Yellow mustard gives the sauce and tangy bite.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar – Apple cider vinegar gives the sauce a tang to help cut through the sweet and fat.
  • Soy Sauce – In many homemade sloppy joe recipes, you’ll find worcestershire sauce. You can absolutely use that unpronounceable sauce here, but I like the flavor of soy better.

How to Make Homemade Sloppy Joes

  1. Brown the onions and green peppers with ground beef in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium heat until the meat is cooked through and vegetables are soft. Drain away the excess grease and return the meat to the pan.
  2. Over medium-low heat, add the garlic powder, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, and soy sauce to the meat mixture and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 5 to 10 minutes.
  3. Serve on soft hamburger buns alongside chip or french fries, if desired. 
Homemade Sloppy Joes with french fries.
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5 from 21 votes

Recipe Card

Homemade Sloppy Joes

Author Stacey Little
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 502kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 small green bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • hamburger buns

Instructions

  • Brown the onions and green peppers with ground beef in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium heat until the meat is cooked through and vegetables are soft. Drain the meat and return to pan.
  • Over medium-low heat, add the garlic powder, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, and soy sauce and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Serve on soft hamburger buns.

Nutrition

Calories: 502kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 1114mg | Potassium: 582mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 344IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 4mg


* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.

Homemade Sloppy Joes with french fries.
Did you make my Homemade Sloppy Joes?I’d love to see! Share on Instagram, tag @southernbite, and use the hashtag #southernbite!
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Stacey Little of Southern Bite

Hey, y’all! I’m Stacey…

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5 from 21 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Bonnie

    5 stars
    I’ve been trying to find a good homemade sloppy Joe recipe. Tried this one tonight and I definitely found the winner! Thank you, Bonnie

    Reply

  2. Nelda

    I made these sloppy joes today. They are so good, will make again and again. I have made a lot of your recipes and they have all been good. Keep up the good work.

    Reply

  3. Jody Kotys

    5 stars
    It took me back to my childhood when my mom used to make these. I’ll never go back to Manwich. This recipe is too easy and delicious using simple ingredients already in my pantry.

    Reply

  4. Rhonda Neal

    5 stars
    This is like my recipe minus the mustard, garlic powder, soy sauce, and the vinegar. I wouldnt put that much ketchup. Sometimes I have added finely chopped celery and carrots to the mix. We also used to call them Spanish hamburgers. My husband loves them..

    Reply

    • Stacey LittleStacey

      Thanks for sharing your take on the recipe! It sounds delicious with the added celery and carrots. I love that y’all have your own spin on it. Spanish hamburgers is a fun name too! Glad to hear your husband enjoys it!

      Reply

  7. Vicky

    I’m making this for 14, but I need to count on a second serving for at least 3 young men. How much meat, should I quintuple the recipe and all ingredients and just maybe have leftovers?

    Reply

  10. Shannon

    5 stars
    This was very good! I think I’ll try the Worchestershire sauce in place of soy sauce next time. Paired great with baked beans and homemade coleslaw. Thanks for another winner, Stacey!

    Reply

  11. Sandy Fitch

    I have a recipe for homemade SJ’s but it has a lot of ingredients. I’m going to try this as it looks delish with fewer ingredients. I love a lot of your recipes! Thanks for sharing, Stacey

    Reply

  12. Terri Jones

    5 stars
    My mom was the president of the PTA throughout my siblings and my grade school years (I’m 66 years old now and the youngest of 5). She was always elected to make the sloppy Joes for all of the school functions. Everyone loved them, but I have never made them to taste as good as hers. I’m thinking the soy and worcestershire sauce might have been her secret ingregients. So, I can’t wait to try this recipe. Thank you for sharing this recipe and bringing back some precious memories.

    Reply

  15. Mama Jane

    oh, this looks good! so many recipes go a bit heavy handed on the mustard. I might actually use Worcestershire sauce since I somehow wound up buying 2 bottles~Lord knows how long they will last!

    Reply

  16. Patti

    5 stars
    Hey Stacy, congrats on Guys grocery store contest!! So proud of you!! Love your Sloppy Joe recipe!! I actually make a taco salad but a couple of our great grands can’t have taco seasoning so I make a Sloppy Joe salad with your Sloppy Joe recipe and they LOVE it!!

    Also….EVERYONE in my family LOVES your macaroni salad too!!

    Reply

  17. Christie F

    Your recipe looks great. It isn’t much different than mine. We don’t eat beef, so I use ground turkey and add about a half Tbsp. of sage, and the recipe has Worcestershire rather than soy sauce, plus about1/2tsp of celery seeds (which, go figure, gives it the Mansion taste, if that is one’s desire).
    I am looking forward to trying your recipe!

    Reply

  18. Mary Catherine

    5 stars
    I just made these sloppy Joes for the first time tonight, and they were incredibly delicious and so easy to prepare. Served on a soft Hawaiian bun and topped with cole slaw, they made my husband, my elderly parents, and me very happy. Never will I use a canned sloppy Joe sauce again! My next recipe to try will be your dill pickle cole slaw, Stacey!

    Reply

    • Stacey LittleStacey

      Thank you Mary Catherine! I hope you love the coleslaw just as much. Our favorite way to eat these sloppy joes is on Hawaiian buns as well!

      Reply

  19. SandraB

    Stacy you are my go to blogger for all things Southern because you cook like I do. I had never had homemade sloppy joes so I found your recipe and tried it and I can’t believe I’ve lived all these years and not made this. We love it and it makes the rotation at least 2+ times a month. I just crave it. Thank you and enjoy you on Simply Southern.

    Reply

  21. Colleen Yates

    This was SO delicious don’t change a thing!! It reminded my husband of the sloppy joes he would get at the A&W root beer stand many yrs ago.
    Thank you for all your wonderful recipes, Stacey. Going to try sausage gravy soon. 🙂

    Reply

    • Brenda

      5 stars
      Colleen your comment has cause me to want to try this recipe for Sloppy Joes. Many many years ago my hometown in Ohio also had A&W Root Beer Stand and they served what they called Spanish hot dogs. They were so awesome and I have never been able to find them anywhere else nor able to find or duplicate a recipe to match it. Wish me luck! LOL …P.S. Stacey us the bomb!💣💥

      Reply

  22. Kathy

    5 stars
    Stacey: Thanks for the recipe, although I can’t make dill pickle Cole slaw as a side, as I am now allergic to cucumbers, and for good measure, since they are in the same family, melons and squash.

    It isn’t just Facebook, it’s the entire internet. People feel free to let their meanness out because they feel protected by their anonymity. Despite what they think, they are not escaping scot-free. Ultimately there will be price tag.

    It doesn’t look like things are going to improve, either. I was shocked to learn that Prince George was trolled online for wearing a suit to the Euro finals at Wembley. 1. There’s a dress code, I think.
    2. He wanted to wear a suit, just like his dad. William is his hero. 3. Picking on a 7-year-old is inexcusable and pathetic, and mind-boggling. Some people have no concept of “The Golden Rule.” If they did, and lived by it, we would have a much better and kinder world.
    Now I will jump down off of my soapbox. 8)

    Reply

  23. Kathryn Pharr

    Oh Stacey! You hit this one out of the park! SOOOOI DELICIOUS! I subbed ground turkey because I didn’t have ground beef! Just as delicious! Thank you for sharing your heirloom recipes and your sweet family’s wisdom! I just love your cookbook and videos so much! Keep them coming ????

    Reply

  26. Dawn Hoekenga

    Afraid of the soy sauce, other than that these are Church Sloppy Joe’s. My mothers recipe started with 30 lbs of hamburger, had to reduce it down to family dinner portion!

    Reply

  27. Ellen Allen

    I’m going to make a double batch and freeze leftovers!
    THANKS SO MUCH FOR THIS RECIPE!!
    Love reading the comments too.

    Reply

  29. Ingrid

    5 stars
    Just made this using 93% lean ground beef and omitting the green peppers . It was absolutely delicious!
    Suspect I will be making this often .

    Reply

  30. Rita Kay Elmore

    A family member has to be careful with sugar and carb intake and it looks like your recipe will work for her.
    I plan to use a full 2# of gr. beef, so that will help even more to distribute the ingredients even more.

    Reply

  32. Linda E Lucas

    I hide negative posts all the time, mostly political now. But on to the good stuff! This recipe is soooo good. It’s my go to from here on out. Cant stand the canned tuff, nor the packets of seasoning. This is very close to my moms. It’s devine! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  33. Lisa

    I realize that I am coming in late to this posting but here I am. This recipe is the one I used to make years ago for my family but somewhere it got lost in a move. You have no idea how thrilled I am to find it again because it is scrumptious and now my grandchildren love it too. I guess fate made this pop up on my Pinterest feed! I don’t do Facebook. As a retired teacher, I prefer to stay in touch with former students when they call, write or come by my house. After the last election cycle, with all of the lies and hate, I have no interest or faith in social media. I don’t like what has happened to our country. Let’s hope it quickly gets better.

    Reply

  34. Vicki

    I am going to try this out. It sound yummy. I am so with you on the getting all the negativity out of your life. I like to look at life as the glass is half full instead of half empty. Wishing you a Merry Christmas! 🙂

    Reply

  35. Buffy

    I’ve never mentioned this before to anyone, but I don’t mind the debatable Facebook posts. I’m not living in a Pollyanna world where everything and everyone must be Hollywood cute/handsome and everything is all kittens, puppies or babies. I don’t have hundreds of friends there; 68 to be exact, and the few that voice their complaints I don’t mind. I have to see everyone’s children and grandchildren, and their trips to hither and yon, but again, that’s OK. The only thing I’m not OK with is nudity or vulgarity. Yes, guilty as charged — some of us do like to talk about the issues of the day a little too much, but thanks the splendid Sloppy Joe recipe! 🙂

    Reply

  40. Donna Huskey

    This is about the way my Mother always made them, except for the green pepper. I would love that as well because I put onion and green pepper in most everything. Add a slice of sweet Vidalia onion and a couple of dill pickle slices on a soft warm hamburger bun and you’ve got something hard to beat. Haven’t made any in a while and now you have gotten me wanting one!

    Reply

  41. Karen Warren

    I just ate a late lunch, but my mouth is watering for a sloppy joe now! It that saying something nice enough?

    Reply

  42. Kim Miller

    I’ve made this several times now and we love it! I’m wondering if it could be adapted for the slow cooker?

    Reply

    • Stacey LittleStacey

      That’s great, Kim! If you used some extra lean ground beef, you could probably just dump all the ingredients in the slow cooker, stir, and cook.

      Reply

  43. Jen

    You know, I have tried so many recipes for sloppy joes looking for one that tasted like how my mama would make it, and I have finally found one here. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Stacey LittleStacey

      These are the kinds of comments that mean the most to me. Thanks so much for sharing and I’m so glad this recipe is so close to your mama’s. 🙂

      Reply

  45. william earley

    i luv this goulash, my mom use to make it for me when i was a kid when times were hard. i think this sharing is great and i luv most of the recipes, you can’t like everything. thank you for sharing and keep up the great work

    Reply

  46. Kim Osburn

    I’m gonna be hosting my BUNCO game this month. The theme is gonna be The Pink Ladies: Too Cool for School. The food I am going with is your favorite cafeteria food. I’ll be serving Sloppy Joe’s and Peanut Butter Scotchies from Christy Jordan’s Southern Plate. Thank you for sharing this recipe. I love that so many Southern cooks are blogging. Sharing recipes brings back memories of all the good food that was shared in my lifetime. We just finished a family cookbook for our family reunion Labor Day weekend. Don’t know why I’m just ramblin’. My now deceased husband used to tell me it was a Texan thing. I had to dance around a bush a couple times to make my point. Which is to thank you for what you do. That’s all. <3

    Reply

    • Stacey LittleStacey

      What a fun idea! So glad Southern Bite will be a part of the menu! Y’all have fun! And don’t ever worry about ramblin’ in these parts. You are always welcome! 🙂

      Reply

  47. Valorie D.

    I’m with you on the fb negativity. I have done that for quite some time and don’t feel bad at all about hiding some folks’ status updates. What I shake my head over are the ones who complain about fb on fb – come on now, it’s free and totally voluntary to be use it.

    Your recipe for sloppy joes is very much like mine except I put in chopped celery instead of green pepper. I’ve used this recipe when I’ve had casual parties to feed a crowd and everybody loves them. I think it’s a nostalgic feeling for favorite childhood food.

    Reply

  48. Greer

    This recipe is fabulous! I’ve always been indifferent about Sloppy Joes, but not anymore. I crave these over and over. In a houseful of picky eaters I have kids begging for seconds and asking me to reheat the leftovers. I’m making them again tomorrow for a quick and easy 4 th of July meal! Gotta double the recipe. Also, it freezes well so I will definitely make large batches and freeze leftovers. Yummy!

    Reply

    • Stacey LittleStacey

      Thanks so much, Greer! I’m so happy to know that your family enjoys these as much as we do. I know they take little bit more time than opening a can of that other stuff, but I sure think it makes a difference. Thanks for taking the time to let me know!!

      Reply

  49. larry

    First time ever making homemade Sloppy Joe! Thank you for this post! I’m simmering everything now and waiting for it to finish! It smells DELICIOUS! Most definitely bookmarking this recipe!

    Reply

  51. Karen

    Stacey – This looks like it will be the star of our dinner menu tonight . . . I love Sloppy Joes but am not fond of the salt content in so many of the mixes out there. Thanks for posting this . . . oh and by the way kudos for filtering your “negative” facebook feed. . . I for one do not need any extra drama or negativity in my life . . . I’ve been “editing” my content for several months!

    Reply

  52. deborah

    The recipe looks great. We are on a tight budget so we use ground beef alot. It can be used so many different ways. I am so glad Christy led me to your site. Both of you are wonderful.

    Reply

  53. Jackie @Syrup and Biscuits

    Bravo, Stacey! I try to stay away from negativity everywhere, not just on Facebook. One negative person can bring down a whole room full of happy people.

    I just create a Sloppy Joe recipe using hamburger AND sausage. I took the inspiration from one of my favorite dishes that my Granny used to make for me, Hamburger and Sausage Patties. The flavor of those two ground meats together is wonderful just like it is. So I thought it would make excellent Sloppy Joes. And…..I was right! I’m taking those to one of our Halloween parties this year.

    Thanks again for the great post, Stacey. I’m glad to see you posting again. I hope your time gave you a chance to recharge.

    Reply

  54. Vickie

    Looks good! My son dosn’t like sloppy joes, but I think this would be worth a try (he doesn’t like bread – I know what it wrong with this child! grins) But it sounds like a great way to “hide” ground turkey, which I have to do for my husband. I’m going to put it on my menu for next week.

    Reply

  55. Danielle D.

    I did the same thing with negative pl on FB. It has gotten ridiculous with all the negative nancy’s out there. That’s why we have to pick and choose what we make available for ourselves to read. It will affect our attitudes!

    Reply

  56. Betty Townsend

    Great recipe…simple, easy…love it. I’ve saved it to my recipe box, love that feature!! Totally agree with you on the Facebook thing. I do the same thing, hide posts I don’t want to deal with, some people just don’t get the concept of “social networking”…

    Reply

  57. JH

    I love grd beef , I would NEVER deem it inferior. To help make ends meet even more I use Grd Turkey (and it is healthier too) I use it so much that I have gotten good at disguising it and my husband will ask if it is beef or turkey .I will definitly make this and use grd turkey. Thanks for the recipe .

    Reply

  58. Marianne

    I totally relate with you on the Facebook negativity!! I’ve gotten where I just click hide on more than I allow, I have started dropping all the people that post the negative pictures and the rude comments, I just have reached the point in my life where I don’t want to be around it anymore, I had to deal with it at work I won’t invite it into my home! Thank you for all that you do, I really enjoy your posts and blog!!!

    Reply

  60. Karen

    Looking forward to trying this out; sounds so much better than the canned stuff, or the dry seasoning/mix with tomato paste combo (these are ok in a pinch but it’s nice to have an alternative). I agree with you 100% on your soapbox topic – – I have had to “unsubscribe” from a couple of folks’ posts because they are either too whiney or just downright obnoxious!

    Reply

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