Homemade BBQ Sloppy Joes Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

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Sloppy joes make a quick, easy dinner. Try this popular tangy bbq version.

Homemade BBQ Sloppy Joes Recipe | CDKitchen.com (1)


serves/makes:

ready in:

under 30 minutes

8 reviews
1 comment


ingredients

2 pounds ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons ketchup
hamburger buns

directions

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion and cook, stirring, until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is soft. Drain off excess grease.

In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, mustard, barbecue sauce, and ketchup until blended (the brown sugar should be starting to dissolve).

Add the barbecue mixture to the skillet and stir well to combine.

Let the beef simmer, stirring as needed, for 5 minutes or until the sauce is heated through and thickened.

Serve the BBQ sloppy joe sauce on buns with any additional condiments as desired.

recipe tips


Cook the ground beef and onions until the beef is thoroughly browned and the onions are soft.

Stir the sauce ingredients until the brown sugar is dissolved.

Simmer the mixture to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed before serving.

Toast the hamburger buns for added texture.

Offer a variety of condiments like cheese, onions, or jalapenos for customization.

Be generous with the sauce for truly "sloppy" joes.

Keep napkins handy, as this dish can be messy to eat.

common recipe questions


Can I use a different type of meat?

Yes, you can use ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based ground meat substitute.

Is it necessary to drain the grease from the beef?

Draining the grease helps to reduce the fat content and improves the texture of the sauce.

Can I make this recipe without brown sugar?

The brown sugar adds sweetness to balance the tanginess, but you can reduce the amount or use a sweetener like honey.

What type of barbecue sauce should I use?

Use your favorite barbecue sauce, whether it's sweet, tangy, or spicy.

Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?

Yes, you can add vegetables like bell peppers, celery, or carrots.

How can I make this dish spicier?

Add chili powder, hot sauce, or diced jalapenos for extra heat.

Can I prepare this dish in advance?

Yes, you can make it in advance and reheat it, adding a little water if it's too thick.

What can I serve with the BBQ sloppy joes?

Serve with coleslaw, pickles, or a side salad for a complete meal.

How should I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?

Yes, after browning the meat and onions, transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 2-3 hours.


nutrition data

283 calories, 20 grams fat, 12 grams carbohydrates, 13 grams protein per serving. This recipe is low in carbs.



more recipes like homemade bbq sloppy joes

BASIC SLOPPY JOES FROM SCRATCH

TOMATO SOUP SLOPPY JOES

BEEF 'N' BEAN SLOPPY JOES

MANWICH SLOPPY JOES

SLOPPY JOES FOR 100

SLOPPY JANE SANDWICHES


reviews & comments

  1. nicollewestin REVIEW:
    April 1, 2021

    This was amazing! We like sloppy joes but the bbq version just became our new favorite.

  2. Cyndi REVIEW:
    July 28, 2020

    I’m so sorry but this not good. At all. It was way too sweet. No one would eat it. Wasted two pounds of ground beef 😞

  3. Cass REVIEW:
    January 18, 2018

    Just right perfect amount of sweet

  4. jenewallace REVIEW:
    February 25, 2017

    I've never loved the ketchup based versions of sloppy joes but I liked this one because of the smoky barbecue sauce. I did cut the sugar down just a little because I felt like the sauce I used was a little on the sweeter side. Simple meal.

  5. Mamasaurous June 21, 2014

    This is the recipe I have been searching for ! Looking forward to making it . Thank you !

  6. Logan B REVIEW:
    February 4, 2009

    I made this dish and just loved it. I would say this is just about the best sloppy joes I have ever had. Will make it a lot more!

  7. Kathryn REVIEW:
    June 8, 2006

    This is the best sloppy joe that I have ever tasted! Provided that you have excellent BBQ sauce, I'm sure that you will love it too. It is also a great meal for people like myself who consequently cannot cook.

  8. Guest Foodie REVIEW:
    February 21, 2006

    I made these for my daughter's birthday and I found the recipe to be very easy and not overly time consuming, so I had time to enjoy her b-day party. I also got many compliments on the BBQ's, they were delicious!

  9. Shannie78 REVIEW:
    December 17, 2004

    it's good and it's better than the old sloppy joes

');

Homemade BBQ Sloppy Joes Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

FAQs

What is the ingredient in Sloppy Joe? ›

It's made with ketchup, brown sugar, tomato paste, Worcestershire, chili powder, garlic, dry mustard, and a little Tobasco (if you want). That sauce coats the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper to make the filling. What's a good side dish with sloppy joes?

How do you make sloppy joes better? ›

Try serving your sloppy joes with their own toppings such as slaw, melty cheese, grilled pineapple, or Hatch green chile. Even just adding a pickle gives extra flavor and crunch, transforming it from a bland sandwich into something great, like the recipe below!

How do you make sloppy joe sauce thicker? ›

  1. Flour can be used similar to corn starch.
  2. Other thickeners used are bread crumbs, potato flakes and oats. ...
  3. Go gradually with these. ...
  4. Use oats to thicken sloppy-joes as to absorb the excess but it will be thicker the next day.
  5. Barley can be used but is more expensive.
Oct 29, 2021

How many people will 1 lb of sloppy joes feed? ›

In general, we call for 1 pound of ground beef to make 6 sandwiches in our sloppy joes recipes. That works out to 3 ounces of ground beef per sandwich. Depending on the size of your bun and how meaty you like your sandwich, you can increase or decrease that amount an ounce or two either way.

What's the difference between Manwich and Sloppy Joe mix? ›

Sloppy Joes are the sandwich, while Manwich is the store-bought canned sloppy joe sauce, produced by ConAgra Foods and Hunt's. While the brand markets this product as a quick and easy one-pan meal, I strongly recommend you make the sauce from scratch.

What's the difference between a sloppy joe and a sloppy Jane? ›

The stuffed pepper sloppy joe is another combo that mixes the sandwich with another popular dish, swapping buns for bell peppers. If you're aiming to eat a lower-fat diet, then consider fixing yourself a sloppy jane. This variant on the sloppy joe swaps out regular ground beef for leaner beef.

What's good on Sloppy Joes? ›

Worcestershire Sauce and Hot Pepper Sauce: These condiments add umami and a heat, deepening the flavor of the dish. Hamburger or Brioche Buns: The vehicle for the Sloppy Joe mixture, offering a soft and slightly sweet contrast to the flavorful beef filling.

What will thicken Sloppy Joes? ›

How to Thicken Sloppy Joes. If you follow this homemade Sloppy Joe recipe, you should have the perfect consistency, but if it comes out too watery, try adding a small slurry of cornstarch with water. That should thicken it right up!

What if I forgot the tomato paste in the Sloppy Joes? ›

You don't have to dash out to the store if you're out of tomato paste; tomato sauce and tomato puree are both an excellent substitute. For every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste needed, use 3 tablespoons of tomato puree or sauce.

Should you drain sloppy joes? ›

Sloppy Joe Tips

We suggest draining the browned beef, because excess grease serves as a barrier to sloppy joe seasonings. You'll want the beef to absorb these wonderful flavors as it cooks.

How many pounds of sloppy joes do I need for 10 people? ›

Because this easy sloppy joe recipe is loaded with ground beef plus an equal amount of veggies, one pound of ground beef is enough to make 8-10 sloppy joe sandwiches.

What is the best bun for sloppy joes? ›

15 Best Bread/Buns for Sloppy Joes
  • Cloverleaf Dinner Rolls. Neelam Pereira. ...
  • Easy Soft Sourdough Discard Rolls. A sweet, fluffy, and buttery sourdough roll made with discard. ...
  • Meat and Cabbage Buns. ...
  • BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Buns.
Sep 25, 2022

How much meat do you need for sloppy joes for 50 people? ›

How many pounds of hamburger do I need for 50 Sloppy Joes? Our recipe calls for 1 ½ pound of ground beef, which makes enough for six servings. To make 50 sandwiches, you would need to purchase 12 ½ pounds of meat.

How much ground beef to feed 20 people? ›

According to the USDA, a serving of ground beef is 3 ounces. Considering that, 3.75 pounds of ground beef would be enough to serve 20 people.

What are the ingredients in French's sloppy joe mix? ›

INGREDIENTS: Spices (Dried Onion, Dried Garlic, Paprika, Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper), Sugar, Modified Starch, Salt, Acids (Sodium Diacetate, Citric Acid), Natural Flavouring, Herbs (Oregano, Rosemary), Anti-caking Agent (Calcium Silicate), Rapeseed Oil, Colour (Paprika Extract).

What is Manwich made of? ›

TOMATO PUREE (WATER, TOMATO PASTE), HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, DISTILLED VINEGAR, CORN SYRUP, LESS THAN 2% OF: SALT, SUGAR, CARROT FIBER, DRIED GREEN AND RED BELL PEPPERS, CHILI PEPPER, GUAR GUM, SPICES, XANTHAN GUM, DRIED GARLIC, NATURAL FLAVORS, CITRIC ACID.

What are the ingredients in Hunt's sloppy joe sauce? ›

Ingredients. Tomato Puree (Water,Tomato Paste), Water, Sugar/Glucose-Fructose, Vinegar, Corn Syrup, Salt, Spices, Dehydrated Green Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes, Tomato Fibre, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Maltodextrin, Dehydrated Garlic, Citric Acid, Flavour, Spice Extracts.

How were Sloppy Joes made? ›

Some attribute the original Sloppy Joe to a cafe in Sioux City, Iowa, where, many years ago, in 1930 a cook named Joe added tomato sauce to his “loose meat” sandwiches. Voila: a new between-the-bread offering, and the sandwich's official name.

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