These Easy Homemade Sloppy Joes Are Better Than Anything From a Can

With all the foodie trends that come and go, each year has its own social media breakout recipes. From food bloggers to Instagram and TikTok recipes , the world of cooking has become vast compared to what our mothers had to rely on. In spite of all the instant ways to get our hands on a new recipe or quick dinner idea , a few things remain constant: We all need simple suppers conducive to our busy schedules, and no-fuss,  cheap meals with pantry ingredients are a must! 

Homemade Sloppy Joesare just as easy as opening that can of Manwich sauce, will instantly make you feel like a kid again, and are about as low-maintenance as it gets! This easy recipe for the classic sloppy joes can truly be made with ingredients mostly from your pantry. Savory ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings, with just a hint of sweetness from brown sugar, come together with ground beef for that flavor everyone instantly recognizes.

Related: 75 Retro Supper Recipes

Why Are They Called Sloppy Joes?

A sloppy joe, as we've known it for years, can be found in American cookbooks that date back as early as the beginning of the 20th century. While they go by different names depending on the publication, the concept is the same. According to research by the Carnegie Library, the sloppy joe's origins lie in the  "loose meat" sandwich  sold in Sioux City, Iowa, in the 1930s and were the creation of a cook named Joe. By the 1960's, food companies started selling the sloppy joe mix in a can, or the sauce alone, such as Manwich.

Related: 35 Quick Dinner Ideas For Kids

Ingredients Needed

If you always have ground beef in the freezer like me, you might not even need a trip to the grocery store for this supper!

Here's what you'll need:

• ground beef

• yellow onion

• beef broth

• ketchup

• Dijon mustard

• brown sugar

• garlic

• salt and pepper

How To Make Homemade Sloppy Joes

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar. Set aside.

2. In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown ground beef and onion until no longer pink. Drain if necessary.

3. Add the garlic and mix well. Next, pour in 1 cup of the broth and scrape the bottom of the pot to de-glaze and get all the brown, yummy bits from the bottom.

4. Add the sauce and remaining cup of broth. Mix very well and bring to a boil.

Related: Ina Garten's Weeknight Bolognese Recipe

5. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated and the mixture is slightly thick. Be sure to stir the mixture once in a while while it simmers.

We love these served on onion buns (pictured) with sliced cheddar cheese, pickles and banana peppers. If I ammaking these for a crowd, I will set everything out "bar" style and let everyone build their perfect joe. They are also terrific for game day or tailgating, thanks to your trusty Crock Pot—read how to do it below

Sloppy joes are an American classic that we never tire of. Making them from scratch is just as easy as using the pre-made sauce, and it means you'll know every single ingredient in your meal. Simple suppers will always be the #1 foodie trend in our house, so I'm happy these beloved sandwiches are sticking around.

How To Make Sloppy Joes in the Slow Cooker

This recipe would convert to a Crock Pot version so easily! Simply brown the beef and onion, add to the slow cooker, mix with the sauce and make sure it's combined. Cook on high for 1-2 hours or low for 3-4. You will want to make sure the meat mixture has enough liquid to cook in, and the amount will depend on the length of cooking. If only cooking for a couple hours, 1 cup broth should be enough, but if cooking longer, I would use 2 cups. In the last hour of cooking, you can always remove the lid to allow some liquid to evaporate.

How Long Do Homemade Sloppy Joes Last?

If you have leftovers, cool them completely. Then keep in an airtight container, and they should last in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. You might add just a splash of water or broth to loosen it up a bit.

Best Tips

• This is a great recipe to swap ground beef for ground turkey .

• I started with 3/4 cup of ketchup and added more to reach 1 cup.

• No fresh garlic? Use 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.

• Don't forget to stir the mixture while it simmers to prevent scorching on the bottom and to help the liquid absorb.

• If you don't have beef broth, water will work too. Or use 2 cups water with 2-3 bouillon cubes.

• The sauce can easily be made on the stovetop and then transferred to a slow cooker to be kept warm.

• If you have a few extra minutes, toast your buns to avoid soggy bottoms!

• Other topping suggestions: bread and butter pickles, pickled jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, sliced onion, lettuce, tomato, sour cream.

What To Serve With Sloppy Joes

Sloppy joes are perfect served with any sides you'd serve for a hamburger or hotdog. Some of our favorites are copycat Texas Roadhouse green beans , extra-crispy roasted potatoes or no-boil baked mac and cheese .

More Sandwiches for Simple Suppers:

• Philly Sloppy Joes

• Turkey Meatball Parm Subs

• Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

• Crock Pot Italian Sausage and Peppers

• Tuna Salad

• Sandwich Spread

Up next, 28 easy one-pan dinners you'll make again and again .

Ingredients

• 1 .5 lbs ground beef

• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 cup ketchup

• 2 tbsp brown sugar

• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard

• 2 cups beef broth, divided use

• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• salt and pepper

• hamburger buns

• sliced cheese

• sliced pickles

• sliced banana peppers

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire, and brown sugar.

2. Set aside.

3. In a large skillet or Dutch oven on medium high heat, brown ground beef with onion until no longer pink.

4. Drain if necessary.

5. Add garlic and mix well.

6. Add one cup of beef broth, scraping bottom of pan to de-glaze.

7. Add sauce and remaining cup of broth to beef.

8. Season with salt and pepper.

9. Stir well.

10. Bring to a boil.

11. Reduce heat to low and cook, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes until liquid has mostly evaporated and mixture has thickened slightly.

12. Stir mixture occasionally while cooking.

13. Serve on buns with cheese, pickles and banana peppers if desired