Best Recipe for Sloppy Joes Recipe
This Sloppy Joe recipe features lean ground meat (of your choice) in a tangy homemade BBQ sauce, served over a toasted bun. It's a comforting classic that can be made in 35 minutes. It's gluten-free and adaptable. It makes 4 sandwiches.
How to Make the Best Best Recipe for Sloppy Joes
Few comfort foods are as satisfying as a good sloppy joe. This best recipe for sloppy joes skips the canned sauce entirely, creating a rich, tangy, and slightly sweet homemade version that puts store-bought to shame. Made with lean ground meat of your choice—beef, turkey, lamb, bison, or even plant-based alternatives—this versatile dish comes together in just 35 minutes.
The secret to this recipe is the balance of flavors in the sauce. The combination of tomato puree, molasses, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar creates that perfect sweet-tangy profile, while the smoked paprika and chili powder add depth and warmth. The Dijon mustard brings a subtle kick that ties everything together beautifully.
Pile this saucy meat mixture high on your favorite toasted bun—whether that’s a classic hamburger bun, buttery brioche, crusty sourdough, or a gluten-free option. Top with pickles, coleslaw, or a slice of sharp cheddar for extra deliciousness. This is comfort food at its finest.
Best Recipe for Sloppy Joes
This Sloppy Joe recipe features lean ground meat (of your choice) in a tangy homemade BBQ sauce, served over a toasted bun. It's a comforting classic that can be made in 35 minutes. It's gluten-free and adaptable. It makes 4 sandwiches.
Ingredients
Sloppy Joe Mixture
Sauce
For Serving
Instructions
Prepare the Meat Mixture
- In a large skillet, sauté onion, green pepper, garlic, and jalapeño in olive oil over medium heat until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add in the ground beef, breaking it apart. Add chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, and stir, continuing to break up the meat and mix in the spices. Let cook for five more minutes, or until cooked through.
Make the Sauce and Simmer
- In a small bowl, mix together tomato puree, tomato paste, dijon mustard, maple syrup, Worcestershire sauce, molasses, and vinegar. Add to the meat mixture, mixing it all together.
- Let simmer over low heat for 10 minutes until sauce has thickened. Adjust salt and sweetness to taste.
Serve
- Serve over a toasted bun with your choice of toppings.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, lamb, bison, or veggie meat for a different flavor profile.
- For a spicier version, keep the jalapeño seeds in or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
