Classic Sloppy Joe Sandwich
A quick and easy stovetop recipe for Classic American Sloppy Joe Sandwiches, featuring savory ground beef in a tangy tomato sauce served on soft buns. Perfect for a tasty and satisfying lunch.
Ingredients
Check ingredients as you go.
Let’s make it
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper, sautéing until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Stir in tomato paste, ketchup, water, yellow mustard, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
Reduce heat to low and simmer the mixture uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
While the meat mixture simmers, prepare the hamburger buns by toasting them lightly if desired.
Spoon the sloppy joe mixture generously onto the bottom half of each bun. Cover with the top half and serve hot.
Tips & notes
For extra flavor, add a dash of smoked paprika or a small splash of apple cider vinegar to the sauce. Toasting the buns enhances texture and flavor. Use lean ground beef to reduce grease.
Saving it for later
Store leftover sloppy joe mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep buns separate to avoid sogginess.
Reheating
Reheat sloppy joe mixture in a skillet over medium heat until heated through, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water if too thick. Reheat buns separately in a toaster or oven to preserve texture.
