Easy Sloppy Joes Classic Messy (Printer-Friendly)
Ground beef in tangy sauce served on buns—sweet, savory, and perfectly messy for lunch or dinner.
# What You’ll Need to Cook:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
450 g ground beef or ground turkey
02 -
0.5 medium onion, finely chopped
03 -
0.5 green bell pepper, finely chopped (optional)
04 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
05 -
180 ml ketchup
06 -
16 g tomato paste
07 -
10 ml Worcestershire sauce
08 -
13 g brown sugar
09 -
5 ml yellow mustard or Dijon mustard
10 -
Salt, to taste
11 -
Black pepper, to taste
12 -
2.5 ml chili powder (optional, for mild heat)
13 -
4–6 hamburger buns
14 -
Butter, for toasting buns (optional)
# Steps to Prepare:
01 -
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or turkey, breaking it up with a spoon, until evenly browned. Drain excess fat from the pan.
02 -
Stir in the chopped onion, bell pepper (if using), and minced garlic. Sauté for 3–4 minutes, until vegetables are tender.
03 -
Blend in ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, brown sugar, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine.
04 -
Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
05 -
Lightly butter the cut sides of the hamburger buns and toast them in a skillet or oven until golden.
06 -
Generously spoon the hot mixture onto toasted buns and serve immediately.
# Extra Cooking Tips:
01 -
The sloppy joe mixture can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months, making it ideal for advance preparation.
02 -
Add a handful of shredded cheese during the final minutes of simmering for a cheesy variation.
03 -
For a low-carb option, serve the filling over baked sweet potatoes or wrapped in lettuce leaves instead of buns.