Main dishes
Homemade Sloppy Joes, Ground Beef Sandwiches in Tomato Sauce
Sloppy Joes with ground beef, onion and bell pepper in a sweet and tangy tomato and Worcestershire sauce. Ready in 35 minutes in one skillet.
- Total time
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cuisine
- American
Ingredients
For the beef
To serve
Method
Chop the vegetables
Chop the onion and red bell pepper into small dice so they cook quickly and blend in with the beef.
Sauté onion and pepper
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the onion and pepper for 4 to 5 minutes, until soft and glossy.
Brown the beef
Add the ground beef and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking it up with the spoon, until well browned with no pink left.
Add the sauces
Pour in the ketchup and Worcestershire sauce, add the sugar and stir well to coat all the beef.
Season
Add the salt and pepper, stir and taste. Adjust with a pinch more if needed.
Simmer
Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring now and then, until the sauce thickens and the beef is juicy.
Toast the buns
Split the buns and toast them cut side down in a skillet or on a griddle for 1 to 2 minutes, until golden.
Serve the sandwiches
Spoon the beef onto the bottom half of each bun, add the top and serve right away with pickles or fries.
The step photos are illustrative.
Notes
Tips
- Break the beef up well as it browns so the mixture stays loose instead of forming big chunks.
- Let the sauce thicken: if it is too runny, the bun gets soggy and the sandwich falls apart.
- Toast the buns: a golden layer protects them from the sauce's moisture.
- Taste before serving; ketchup and Worcestershire already add salt.
- Safety: ground beef must reach 160 °F (71 °C) inside; browning it well with no pink left means it is cooked.
Substitutions
- Meat: ground turkey or chicken, or half beef and half pork.
- Heat: add a pinch of chili powder or a few drops of hot sauce.
- No Worcestershire: use 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 1 of soy sauce.
- Buns: brioche, sandwich bread, or serve over rice or a baked potato.
Storage
Store the beef mixture on its own in a covered container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days and assemble the sandwiches at the last minute so the bun stays dry. Reheat until it boils and reaches 165 °F (74 °C). It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Sources: USDA FSIS, safe minimum internal temperatures; USDA FSIS, leftovers and food safety.
Nutrition facts
1 sandwich (1/4 of the recipe)
- Protein
- 29.5 g
- Carbohydrates
- 41.8 g
- Fat
- 21.4 g
- Saturated fat
- 8 g
- Fiber
- 2.5 g
- Sugars
- 16.2 g
- Sodium
- 850 mg
Estimate per sandwich, calculated with 85/15 ground beef, onion, red bell pepper, ketchup, Worcestershire, sugar, salt and hamburger bun.
Reference source: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy April 2018
For general information only; it does not replace advice from a qualified health or nutrition professional.
About this recipe
Sloppy Joes are a classic of American home cooking: ground beef cooked in a sweet, tangy tomato sauce and piled, juicy and messy, onto a toasted bun. Here onion and red bell pepper are sautéed, the beef is browned, and everything simmers together with tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce and a little sugar until the mixture thickens and clings to the spoon. A final touch of salt and pepper balances the sweetness, and toasting the buns in the skillet keeps the sauce from soaking them right away. It all happens in one skillet in about 35 minutes with everyday ingredients. It makes 4 generous sandwiches, ideal for a quick weeknight dinner, a casual get-together or a meal with kids.
Frequently asked questions
What are Sloppy Joes?
An American sandwich of ground beef cooked in a sweet, tangy tomato sauce and served on a hamburger bun.
Can I make them ahead?
Yes. The beef mixture can be made 1 or 2 days ahead. Reheat it and assemble the sandwiches when serving.
Why are they so juicy?
The beef finishes cooking in the sauce, which thickens gradually and clings to the meat instead of staying loose.
How do I keep the bun from getting soggy?
Toast the buns and let the sauce thicken well before serving. Assemble the sandwiches right when you eat.
Can I freeze them?
The beef mixture, yes, for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat before serving on fresh buns.
