• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Starters & Snacks
    • Dinner
    • Side Dish
    • Dessert
    • Drinks
  • Witchcraft
    • Kitchen Magick
  • Podcast
  • Work With Me
  • Subscribe

Awesome on 20 logo

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
    • Side Dish
    • Starters & Snacks
    • Dessert
    • Drinks
  • Kitchen Magick
  • Witchcraft
  • Podcast
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Dinner » How to Make Sloppy Joes from Scratch

    July 28, 2021 Beef

    How to Make Sloppy Joes from Scratch

    Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links. I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase as a result of clicking one of these links. There is no additional cost to you. 

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    It's so easy to make Sloppy Joes from scratch. Ditch the can because you probably have everything you need in your fridge and pantry. You control the ingredients and the final flavor. Pretty awesome, right?

    Sloppy Joe on white plate with text Sloppy Joes from scratch

    Picky eaters love kids food, comfort food, stuff moms used to make in the 80s before most people worried so much about nutrition. I wholeheartedly embrace eating what I love, and I no longer feel the need to apologize for it. I'm gonna let you eat what brings you joy, and you let me eat what brings me joy. Cool? Cool.

    And if what you're eating doesn't bring you joy, maybe it's time to ask yourself why. If you don't find any pleasure in your food, for whatever reason, is that the energy you want to be experiencing while you're eating?

    If you spend every meal counting macros and worrying about how many steps you'll need to work it off, check how that's making your spirit feel. Then do a little bit more of whatever makes your spirit feel good. If that' scounting macros, do it. If your spirit loves eating 80s comfort food, do that. Honor and take care of your body, of course. But don't be afraid of finding pleasure in food.

    Why make Sloppy Joes from scratch

    I ate a lot of Sloppy Joes as a kid. My mom used to make Sloppy Joe Casserole, and I absolutely loved it. I love a sweet and savory combo, and Sloppy Joes hit the spot. Yes, you could just open a can of sauce (you know the one), but I bet you already have nearly everything you need to make Sloppy Joes from scratch.

    Yes, it takes a bit more time to measure out and stir in individual ingredients, but you can also add more of what you like and less of what you don't. You have a little bit more control over the quality and amount of each ingredient, if that's important to you. And it just tastes so damn good.

    I live in a country where that famous can of sauce is only occasionally available in the import aisle, so knowing how to make this for myself has really put a smile on my face.

    Sloppy joe on white plate with cast iron skillet of sloppy joe meat

    How to make Sloppy Joes from scratch

    We're gonna start by browning some lean ground beef. Drain off the fat, the add it back to the pan along with some chopped onion and bell pepper. Let that cook down for a bit, then start building your sauce. You'll need ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, salt, pepper, garlic granules, and paprika. If you cook at all, you probably already have all that.

    Once you've got your flavorings stirred in, you'll add some beef stock. I use stock cubes, so I always have those on hand as well. Then just let it simmer away for about 30 minutes. The sauce will thicken into a sweet and savory, sticky, sloppy thing of beauty.

    Serve this on toasted brioche buns. I think toasting them under the broiler with a bit of garlic oil brushed onto the inside of each bun really make it extra awesome. That bit of savory crunch really goes a long way.

    FAQ

    Can I make sloppy joes healthier?

    If you're using lean ground beef, honestly, these aren't that bad. But if you wanted to try it out with ground turkey or even vegan mince, I think you'd probably still end up with something pretty tasty. I haven't tried it yet to know for sure. You could also cut back on the sugar a little bit if that worries you. Using a low sugar ketchup would probably give you the best result there.

    Sloppy joes on white plate with fork and red napkin

    Magickal properties of paprika

    Paprika is actually made from a chilli pepper, so that should give you a clue to its magickal properties. Though it's milder than other chilli powders, paprika is still associated with fire and masculine energy. Use it to boost any spell work, as well as for hex breaking and love. (Source: Ashton)

    For details on the magickal properties of other ingredients in this recipe, check out my Kitchen Magick page.

    Sloppy Joe on white plate

    Cook what makes you happy, most especially when that means making Sloppy Joes from scratch. I think you're gonna feel pretty awesome about it.

    Looking for more awesome nostalgic recipes? Try this Sloppy Joe Casserole or some Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf.

    Print

    Sloppy Joes from Scratch

    Sloppy Joe on white plate
    Print Recipe

    It's so easy to make Sloppy Joes from scratch. Ditch the can because you probably have everything you need in your fridge and pantry. You control the ingredients and the final flavor. Pretty awesome, right?

    • Author: Renee Rendall
    • Prep Time: 5
    • Cook Time: 40
    • Total Time: 45 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings 1x
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 500 grams (1 pound) ground beef
    • ½ onion, finely chopped
    • ½ bell pepper, finely chopped
    • ½ cup ketchup
    • ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic granules
    • ¾ cup beef stock
    • 4 brioche buns
    • 1 tablespoon garlic oil or olive oil

    Instructions

    1. Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with your wooden spoon. Cook for about five minutes until browned. Drain off any excess fat and return the cooked beef to the skillet.
    2. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper, and let this cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the remaining ingredients, except for the buns and garlic oil, and stir to combine. Bring this to a boil, then turn the heat down to low, and let it simmer and thicken for about 30 minutes.
    3. Preheat your broiler. About five minutes before the meat mixture is ready, split your buns, and brush each one with a little garlic oil if you have it. Any oil will do, though. Place the buns under the broiler for about 3 minutes. Keep an eye on them the whole time so they don't burn. Pull them out when they're nice and toasty.
    4. Give each person a bun, and scoop a generous amount of the meat mixture onto each one.

    Keywords: Sloppy Joes

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @renee_awesomeon20 on Instagram and hashtag it #awesomeon20

    Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

    Recipe slightly adapted from The Street Food Secret by Kenny McGovern.

    If you made this recipe, please leave a rating and a comment. It helps so much. Thank you!

    More Dinner

    • Two bowls of Orzo Pasta with Bacon & Peas
      Orzo Pasta with Bacon and Peas
    • Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf and mash on a white plate
      Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf
    • Sweet Potato Nachos on a metal tray
      Sweet Potato Nachos
    • Rectangular Homemade Buffalo Chicken Pizza cut into slices
      Homemade Buffalo Chicken Pizza

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    I’m Renee, the creator behind Awesome on 20. I’m a food blogger, a podcaster, and a witch who loves junk food. I share easy comfort food recipes and tips for creating a more magical and awesome life. 

    More about me →

    Become an awesome Patreon supporter

    Become a Patron!

    Popular

    • Herbs in Witchcraft: Basil
    • Herbs in Witchcraft: Oranges
    • Recipes to Celebrate Ostara
    • 3 Easy Spring Equinox & Ostara Rituals

    Awesome spring recipes

    • Sour Cream Scones with jam and cream
      Sour Cream Scones
    • Lavender Cake with lavender buds and icing
      Lavender Cake
    • Lemongrass Gin Cocktail in a rocks glass
      Lemongrass Gin Cocktail
    • Lemon Garlic Pasta
      Lemon Garlic Pasta
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter & Membership

    • Sign up for emails and updates
    • Join us on Patreon
    • Join the Moon Magic Mastermind

    Contact

    • Contact
    • VA Services
    • Work with Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme