There’s something special about having a house full of teenagers—loud, fun, and always hungry. Since tomorrow is a busy Sunday, I knew I had to plan ahead and make something simple but still comforting.
Sloppy Joes just made sense.
I didn’t grow up eating sloppy Joes. In fact, I didn’t try one until I moved to Texas from Monterrey, Mexico, in my late 20s. It’s funny because even now, I’ve only had them a handful of times—but I really do love them. There’s something so comforting and fun about them.
So this felt like the perfect excuse to make them again. And honestly, I already know—they’re going to be a hit with the kids.
What you need to make Sloppy Joes
- Cooking oil & butter – For cooking the meat and toasting the buns.
- Ground beef – The base of the recipe and what makes it hearty.
- Yellow onion – I like using yellow onion here because it adds a natural sweetness.
- Bell pepper – I used green for this recipe, but any color works.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic always makes a difference.
- Ketchup – I use a combination of regular and spicy ketchup to give it a little kick.
- Deli mustard – Adds tang and depth.
- Brown sugar – Balances everything with a touch of sweetness.
- Worcestershire sauce – Just a bit adds so much flavor.
- Beef broth – You can use water, but beef broth gives it more depth.
- Buns or rolls – Soft and perfect for soaking up all that sauce.
- Seasonings – Chili powder, dry mustard, salt, and pepper
Helpful Tips
- This is a great make-ahead meal—the flavors get even better as it sits.
- If the mixture thickens too much when reheating, just add a splash of beef broth.
- Perfect for feeding a crowd, game nights, or busy Sundays like mine 🤍
Ingredients
- Cooking oil
- 3 lb ground beef
- ½ onion, chopped
- 1 large bell pepper, diced
- 2–4 garlic cloves, minced (depending on size)
- 1 cup ketchup
- ½ cup spicy ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 tablespoon deli mustard
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1–2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce (to taste)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Hamburger buns or rolls
- Butter, for toasting buns
Instructions
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat a couple tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until fully browned. Drain most of the fat and discard.
- Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for a few minutes, until the vegetables are tender and fragrant.
- Stir in the ketchup, spicy ketchup, brown sugar, chili powder, dry mustard, deli mustard, and tomato paste. Let everything cook together for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to really come together.
- Pour in the beef broth and add Worcestershire sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- To serve, butter the buns and toast them lightly on a griddle or skillet. Spoon a generous amount of the sloppy Joe mixture onto each bun and serve warm.
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