Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe

Easy Sloppy Joe recipe made with ground beef and a few pantry staples. This super easy weeknight meal comes together in minutes and is perfect on a bun with a side of pickles!

Growing up, I can only remember eating Sloppy Joes once at a Girl Scout retreat.  My Dad isn't a fan of messy foods, and I think that was the main reason my mom didn't make them.  It wasn't until I made them again recently that I realized how much I love them! 

My husband and I were joking about they got their name and in searching the internet to find out, we found a meme that said they could have just as easily been called "Filthy Kevins," "Dirty Andys," or "Messy Mikes." 

We now only refer to them as Messy Mikes, and I'm still not sure where the name actually originated from.

This easy sloppy joe recipe is, well, EASY!  It comes together in minutes and I always have the ingredients on hand.  It's the perfect throw together weeknight meal.  

Sloppy Joe Ingredients

Ground beef and a few pantry staples are all you need to make this homemade Sloppy Joe recipe.  I like to use 90/10 ground beef, but 80/20 or even ground turkey would work. This recipe easily doubles!

For this recipe, you will need:

• Ground beef
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Worcestershire sauce
• Brown sugar
• Ketchup
• Mustard

How to Make this Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe

Homemade Sloppy Joes are super easy to make and very forgiving.  It's as easy as cooking the ground beef and adding in your favorite spices and sauces.  If you like a little more tang, squeeze in a little extra mustard.  More savory?  Extra splash of worcestershire sauce.  Make sure you taste as you go!

To make this recipe, you will:

1. Cook the ground beef until fully heated through and no longer pink. Use my favorite meat chopper to make this step even easier.
2. Drain the fat and discard.  Return the drained meat to the skillet.
3. Add all of the spices and sauces and simmer over low heat until thickened and heated through.
4. Scoop the meat onto buns and enjoy!

Can You Make Sloppy Joes in a Crockpot?

Yes! Fully cook the ground beef before adding it to the crockpot with the remaining ingredients and cook on low for 4-6 hours.  Cooking the meat low and slow may result in a softer texture than the stovetop version.

What to Serve with Sloppy Joes

We usually eat ours with classic potato chips and hamburger dill pickles.  Something about those salty, crunchy chips and tart, crisp pickles pairs perfectly with the tangy, sweet sandwich!  Instant Pot Corn on the Cob  or Feta Roasted New Potatoes are also great options.

How to Store

This easy sloppy joe recipe is even better the next day when the flavors have had time to develop!  If you want to make this recipe in advance: cook it as instructed below and then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.  (Make sure to let it cool before adding to the fridge.)

How to Freeze

These also freeze beautifully!  I like to freeze mine in individual portions so that I can pop them out for a quick lunch.  Try using a silicone muffin pan to make uniform little pucks.  These will keep in the freezer for up to three months.  

How to Reheat

Thaw in the refrigerator overnight for best results.  I like to reheat mine on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently until heated all the way through.  If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it out with a bit of warm water, beef broth, or more ketchup until you've reached your desired consistency.

More Easy Weeknight Meals

• Ground Beef and Broccoli
• Easy Meat Lasagna Recipe
• Instant Pot Salsa Verde Chicken
• Bacon Wrapped BBQ Chicken