Easy Homemade Sloppy Joe Sandwiches (20 Minute Recipe)

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Learn how to make my Easy Homemade Sloppy Joe Sandwiches with simple, real ingredients in just 20 minutes time. These easy sloppy joes can be made with ground beef or ground turkey, and are cheesy and delicious with a homemade tomato sauce.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner that the whole family will love, this is it!

Today I’m sharing how to make my Easy Homemade Sloppy Joe Sandwiches which is one of our family’s absolute favorites.

These Easy Sloppy Joes are made with lean ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, and a simple and tasty homemade tomato sauce that’s absolutely delicious and WAY better than Manwich or any other store-bought sauce!

Even better, these sloppy joe sandwiches can be made quick in just 20 minutes time, making them a no-brainer choice when you’re short on time.

If you want to learn how to make Easy Homemade Sloppy Joe Sandwiches, then keep reading below and check out my step-by-step video tutorial over here.

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Best Sloppy Joes Recipe

Growing up I didn’t much care for Manwich sloppy joes, but these Homemade Sloppy Joe Sandwiches are a totally different story!

In fact, these homemade sloppy joes are easily one of my favorite quick and easy dinners.

Reasons You’ll Love Them:

Made in under 20 minutes
Easy to prepare on the stovetop in one pan
Made with simple, no-fuss ingredients
Delicious and customizable
Easy to double or triple
Freezer-friendly

Homemade Sloppy Joes Variations

These sloppy joe sandwiches are absolutely delicious made as-is, but here’s just a few ways you can easily switch up the recipe for health, flavor, and variety.

Swap the Meat:

Sloppy joes can be made with ground beef or ground turkey. Both are delicious!

Swap the BBQ:

If you prefer a more traditional sloppy joe sauce, you can easily swap out the BBQ sauce for ketchup. I’ve made them both ways and even sometimes add half of each, which is also yummy!

Add a Kick:

If you like a little spicy kick, feel free to add in some chopped jalapeños, green chiles, red pepper flakes, or a few dashes of hot sauce.

Add Veggies:

If you don’t have picky eaters, feel free to add in some diced onion, bell pepper, or any other favorite veggies, and sauté them with your ground beef.

Swap the Bun:

Sloppy joes are delicious served on buns, but are also great on a tortilla shell, in a lettuce wrap, or on a baked potato.

They’re also great served on top of French fries with extra cheese.

Double or Triple It:

Homemade Sloppy Joes FAQ’s

What is a sloppy joe sandwich?

Sloppy joes are an all-American classic sandwich featuring seasoned ground beef or ground turkey that’s coated in a delicious homemade tomato sauce, combined with shredded cheese, and served on a bun with your preferred toppings such as pickles and cheese.

What is the difference between a sloppy joe and Manwich?

Manwich is a pre-made, store-bought canned sauce while these sloppy joes are made from scratch with a homemade sauce.

Give them a try and I promise you you’ll never go back to using a canned sauce ever again!

What is sloppy joe sauce made of?

This homemade sloppy joe sauce is made with tomato sauce, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and a blend of seasonings and spices. It’s so delicious and easy to make!

What type of ground beef should I use?

I recommend using a lean ground beef of 85/15 or better.

Should the buns be toasted?

This is complete personal preference, but you can definitely toast your buns if you prefer.

To toast, simply place on a baking sheet with the cut half facing up and place under the broiler until golden brown. Make sure you keep an eye on it to prevent burning.

What toppings do you put on sloppy joe sandwiches?

Similar to burgers, the topping possibilities are endless, but here’s some of our family’s favorites:

Sliced cheese
Pickles
Lettuce
Tomato
French Fried Onions

What do you serve with sloppy joe sandwiches?

French Fries or Chips
Creamy Mac and Cheese
Pasta Salad or Cole Slaw
Baked Beans

Can I make sloppy joes in a crockpot/slow-cooker?

Yes! This is especially convenient if you are making a larger batch or you need to make it ahead of time/keep warm.

Simply brown your meat, drain away grease, and add meat and the rest of the ingredients to your crockpot. Cook on high for 2 hours or on on low for 4 hours.

Note: Crockpot sloppy joe meat will be softer than the meat cooked on the stovetop.

Can I freeze sloppy joe meat?

Yes! Let the mixture cool completely, then place in a freezer safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Once ready to eat, thaw, and reheat in the microwave or on stovetop before serving.

Sloppy Joes Storage Tips

How to Store Sloppy Joes

To Store: Place leftover sloppy joe meat in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

To Freeze: Let the mixture cool completely, then place in a freezer safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.

How to Reheat Sloppy Joes

From Fridge: Place mixture in the microwave and heat until warm or re-heat on stovetop on low/medium. If needed, you can add a little bit of water to the mixture.

From Frozen: Thaw in fridge and reheat in the microwave or on stovetop as directed above.

Need More Easy Recipe Ideas? Get Under 30 Minute Meals Here

How to Make Easy Homemade Sloppy Joes in 20 Minutes

Homemade Sloppy Joe Ingredients:

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Step 1: Combine Seasonings

In a small mixing bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper, and mix together until evenly combined.

Sloppy Joe Sandwiches Recipe + Video Tutorial