Homemade Sloppy Joes: Have you ever craved a juicy, messy, and utterly delicious sandwich that satisfies both your hunger and your taste buds? Look no further than homemade sloppy joes. These iconic American sandwiches have been a staple in households for decades, and it’s no surprise why. With a perfect balance of tanginess and sweetness sloppy joes are the ultimate comfort food. But why settle for store-bought canned sauce when you can easily make your own at home? Get ready to unleash your inner chef and impress your family and friends with your own delicious family favorite, homemade sloppy joes.

What do You Like to Serve with Your Sloppy Joes?

I love serving something sweet and something salty. Cole slaw and potato-chips fit that bill perfectly.

How to Make Homemade Sloppy Joes

• STOVE TOP: In a large skillet, brown ground beef, onion, and garlic until beef is no longer red and onions are tender.

• To the cooked beef add red bell pepper, celery, beer, ketchup, molasses, yellow mustard, chili powder, vinegar, sriracha, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.

• Bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer WITH THE LID OFF 25 minutes.

• SERVE: on hamburger buns or in a wrap.

•SLOW COOKER SLOPPY JOES: In a skillet, brown ground beef, onion, and garlic until beef is no longer red and onions are tender.

• Transfer cooked beef to a slow cooker, add the red bell pepper, celery, beer, ketchup, molasses, yellow mustard, chili powder, vinegar, sriracha, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.

• Cook on low setting for 4-6 hours or on high setting for 2-3 hours.

HOMEMADE CLASSIC SLOPPY JOES INGREDIENTS (full printable recipe card below)

1½ pounds ground beef ( for less fat, use a lean ground beef or ground turkey)
1 large white onion, chopped
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 (12 ounce) your favorite beer
1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons molasses
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
4 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon sriracha chili sauce (optional)
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
8 hamburger buns (I used Ball Park Tailgaters Sesame Buns, they are large about 4-4½ inches round), pretzel buns or a brioche bun would be delicious too.

HOMEMADE CLASSIC SLOPPY JOES STOVE TOP VERSION INSTRUCTIONS:

Cook ground beef, onion, and garlic in a large skillet on medium heat until meat is brown and onion is tender. Break meat as it cooks. If necessary drain off excess grease. NOTE: I used 1 pound 96% and ½ pound 80% so I didn’t need to drain the meat.
To the cooked meat mixture, add the red peppers, celery, beer, ketchup, molasses, mustard, chili powder, vinegar, chili sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer uncovered 25 minutes.
Spoon onto hamburger buns. MAKES 8 SANDWICHES (½ cup each).

HOMEMADE CLASSIC SLOPPY JOES CROCK POT VERSION INSTRUCTIONS:

Cook ground beef, onion, and garlic in a skillet until meat is brown and onion is tender. Break meat as it cooks. If necessary drain off fat. NOTE: I used 1 pound 96% and ½ pound 80% so I didn’t need to drain the meat.
Spoon the beef into a small slow cooker.
To the beef, add the red peppers, celery, beer, ketchup, molasses, mustard, chili powder, vinegar, chili sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
Cover, and cook on low setting for 4-6 hours or on high setting for 2-3 hours.

How to Freeze and Store Homemade Sloppy Joes

FREEZER

SINGLE SANDWICH SIZE (about ½ cup): Freeze the homemade sloppy joe sauce in single serving portions for an easy lunch option.

FREEZE: Spoon portions into microwave safe containers. Stays fresh up to 3 months.

THAW: To defrost, put in the refrigerator the night before.

HEAT: Spoon into a small saucepan, heat on the stove top or heat in the microwave.

REFRIGERATOR

Store easy sloppy joes mixture in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator. Will stay fresh up to 4 days.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CAN OF MANWICH AND SLOPPY JOES?

LEFTOVER SLOPPY JOE MEAT

•SLOPPY JOE FRIES: Spoon some of the heated meat over crispy fries ( like shoestring or waffle) CHEESE FRIES: Sprinkle cheese over the fries before adding the hot sloppy joe meat.

•SLOPPY JOE GRILLED CHEESE: Add a slice of cheese to a piece of buttered bread, spoon some hot meat on top. Add another slice of buttered bread and grill.

•CRESCENT ROLL BOMBS: Spoon warm meat onto a crescent roll triangle, add a sprinkle of cheese, grab all corners and press together in the center to form a ball (bomb). Preheat oven to 375° bake 12-15 minutes.

MORE HOT SANDWICH RECIPES

SPICY GRILLED PORK SLIDERS 2. SLOW COOKER BEEF DIP SANDWICH 3. SMOKED PULLED PORK SANDWICHES

Homemade Sloppy Joes

Yield: Makes 8 Sandwiches (½ cup each)

Make these delicious sandwiches on the stove top or in a slow cooker. Both ways are super easy and delicious!

Ingredients

1½ pounds ground beef
1 large white onion, chopped
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 (12 ounce) your favorite beer
1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons molasses
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
4 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon sriracha chili sauce (optional)
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
8 hamburger buns (I used Ball Park Tailgaters Sesame Buns, they are large about 4-4½ inches round)

Instructions

For the Stover Top Version:

Cook ground beef, onion, and garlic in a large skillet until meat is brown and onion is tender. Break meat as it cooks. If necessary drain off fat. NOTE: I used 1 pound 96% and ½ pound 80% so I didn't need to drain the meat.
To the beef, add the red peppers, celery, beer, ketchup, molasses, mustard, chili powder, vinegar, chili sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer uncovered 25 minutes.
Spoon onto hamburger buns. MAKES 8 SANDWICHES (½ cup each).

For the Slow Cooker Version:

Cook ground beef, onion, and garlic in a skillet until meat is brown and onion is tender. Break meat as it cooks. If necessary drain off fat. NOTE: I used 1 pound 96% and ½ pound 80% so I didn't need to drain the meat.
Spoon the beef into a small slow cooker.
To the beef, add the red peppers, celery, beer, ketchup, molasses, mustard, chili powder, vinegar, chili sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
Cover, and cook on low setting for 4-6 hours or on high setting for 2-3 hours.