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The holidays may be in full swing, in our house however, it’s just plain chaos. Figure skating, robotics, church volunteering, holiday concerts, doctor appointments, ahhh!!!! This time of year, I’m all in with quick, easy, or meal planner meals that I can make or heat up quickly. This classic homemade sloppy joe recipe is perfect for these busy days and is a delicious upgrade to the ones we had as a kid (you know what I’m talking about, the ones from a can 😒).

This is a much more classic version of my first one, BBQ Sloppy Joe. Both, however, are amazing, so feel free to give both a try and see which one you like better.

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WHAT MAKES THIS THE BEST RECIPE?

Four reasons to love this Homemade Sloppy Joe recipe:

The ingredients are pantry-friendly. No need to worry about if you have enough veg. I wanted to make sure you could use bare minimum pantry ingredients. (Yes, there is fresh onion and garlic, but don’t worry, I offer substitution notes for both just in case you realize that onion on your counter is bad.
It’s freezer friendly see Storage for all the details.
It makes up quickly and easily. I’m serious. Under 40 minutes.
This all comes together in one pot!
You can keep it warm in a slow cooker for an easy dinner!

SLOPPY JOE BASICS

A sloppy joe at its core, is a sandwich made with ground beef, a sweet and tangy sauce, and served on a hamburger bun. It’s messy to eat (hence the name), and is for sure a classic from my childhood (and probably most millenial’s). Below is the gist of the recipe, but scroll down to see the recipe card and get the full information on ingredients and quantities.

ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS

Ground beef is the main bulk of this meal. So make sure it’s good stuff (that doesn’t mean break the bank and use ground sirloin). Just make sure it’s a lean ground beef (85% or 90%). I just find it works best for Sloppy Joes. Don’t worry, worry we’re making a sauce so we make it on the leaner side.

yellow onion has a bold flavor which is what I want in a sloppy joe. so much goes on in this recipe that onion needs to be there to add that extra. That being said, if all you have in your pantry is a red or white onion, us it. It’s not as strong, but still does the job.

fresh garlic adds flavor

Worcestershire sauce adds savory umami, tanginess, and a slight sweetness.

fish sauce adds savory umami and salt.

JENN’S TIP

Fish sauce has a very distinct smell, for some it may not be pleasant, but it tastes AMAZING in dishes and I love adding it to my dishes (especially pasta).

You can read more on that in my How to Use Fish Sauce Blog Post.

dark brown sugar adds sweetness and a depth from the molasses in the brown sugar.

smoked paprika adds a smoky, woodsy flavor with a hint of sweetness

tomato sauce helps with sauce and adds an acid, and slight tang.

tomato paste thickens and adds a concentrated, savory flavor and more acid.

beef bone broth adds savory depth and makes it more saucey.

HOW TO MAKE IT

This recipe is very simple, but it is about layering flavor. So, prepping ahead will help make things go a little faster and smoother.

In a large skillet on medium-high heat, Cook the meat until fully cooked and not pink. Depending on the fat content, you may need to drain some of the beef fat. You only need about 2 Tablespoons.
Add the onions and continue cooking until the onions are translucent.
Next, Add the garlic and continue cooking until the garlic is fragrant (about 2 minutes).
Add the brown sugar, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and fish sauce. Stir until completely combined.
Finally, add tomato sauce and beef bone broth and continue cooking until combined and bubbly.
Enjoy on a burger bun (or other bread of your choice)!

COOKING WITH KIDS

DISCLOSURE: Please keep in mind that the following tips are general and are meant to be suggestive. I personally use these strategies with my own kids, who are all unique even within my own family of five. Therefore, please regard these as suggestions or ideas. If you feel that your child requires more or less assistance, then go with what you and your child are comfortable with. Ultimately, you know your child best.

measuring ingredients
I like to have the kids measure out the ingredients I know go all in at the same time into a small bowl so I can dump it all in at once.
older kids can help cut the onions and garlic

STORAGE DETAILS

Sloppy Joe’s are a great make-ahead meal! Cook ahead of time and put into a slow cooker on medium-low and have dinner ready to go when you geet home!

Or use it as part of a meal planner meal! Split this into the right proportions for your family (halves or thirds), then freeze in freezer-safe bags for multiple meals!

Check out my post on Free Printable: Grocery List & Menu for easy meal planning.

wondering how long it will last?

Freeze in a freezer-safe bag, for up to 4 months in the freezer.

Refrigerate in a storage bag/container for 3 to 5 days.

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DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

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Homemade Sloppy Joe

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This classic dish combines ground beef with flavorful sauces and can be enjoyed with family, making meal planning easier during busy times. It yields ten (3 oz) sandwiches

Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 10 sandwiches 1x

Instructions

In a large skillet on medium-high heat, Cook the meat until fully cooked and not pink. Depending on the fat content, you may need to drain some of the beef fat. You only need about 2 Tablespoons.
Add the onions and continue cooking until the onions are translucent.
Next, Add the garlic and continue cooking until the garlic is fragrant (about 2 minutes).
Add the brown sugar, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and fish sauce. Stir until completely combined.
Finally, add tomato sauce and beef bone broth and continue cooking until combined and bubbly.
Enjoy on a burger bun (or other bread of your choice)!