Old-Fashioned Sloppy Joes
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When I think of about an old-fashioned sloppy joe recipe, I’m immediately transported back to my childhood. You know what I’m talking about right? A time when the kitchen that always smelled like something comforting and the dinner table that felt like the gathering spot for all of life’s best moments.
Sloppy joes are one of those classic, no-fuss meals that somehow manage to be both messy and completely satisfying at the same time. They’re the kind of food that makes you want to roll up your sleeves, grab a napkin (or three), and just dig in. Take me back…
This post was originally published on October 15, 2015 and was improved and updated on August 19, 2024.
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The Secret Ingredient
Now, I know there are a million ways to make old-fashioned sloppy joes, but I think this version might just be my favorite. It’s got all the classic flavors you remember, but it also has a few little upgrades that make it feel fresh and a tad bit fancy.
It’s made with tender ground beef (or turkey if that’s your thing) in a savory sauce that’s equal parts tangy and sweet. But the real game-changer here? A hint of cinnamon. Yes, you read that right. Just a pinch of cinnamon takes this old-fashioned sloppy joe recipe from ordinary to extraordinary.
If you have extra hamburger meat on-hand, try this Ground Beef Vegetable Soup, it’s delicious. And these Salt and Pepper Chips or this Traditional Deli Potato salad, they make excellent side dishes.
The Ingredients for This Old-Fashioned Sloppy Joe Recipe
- Ground beef or turkey
- Yellow onion
- Carrot
- Celery
- Garlic
- A can of tomato sauce
- Honey
- Dijon mustard
- Apple cider vinegar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Sea salt and pepper
- Ground cinnamon
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How to Make These Easy and Tasty Sloppy Joes
- The Veggies: Lightly spray a medium-sized frying pan with avocado oil or ghee spray and heat it over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pan. Cook the veggies until they’re tender, stirring occasionally.
- The Meat: Once your veggies are softened, it’s time to add the ground beef or turkey. Cook the meat thoroughly, breaking it up with a spatula as it browns. If there’s any excess fat in the pan, go ahead and drain it off. We want that perfect balance of juicy meat without all the grease.
- The Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and let it cook for an additional 1-2 minutes (just until it gets nice and fragrant, but don’t burn it).
- The Sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce, honey, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir so that the meat is evenly coated in the sauce. Then, add that optional (but highly recommended) 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon. Trust me, it’s a small amount, but it makes a really big difference.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sloppy joes simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This step allows the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken up nicely.
- Serve: Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto lightly toasted buns and enjoy.
Reasons You’ll Love These Homemade Sloppy Joes
- The ingredient list is simple and wholesome, and it’s made with pantry staples, so you’re sure to have everything on-hand.
- As I mentioned above, it’s made in one pan. If you ask me, that’s the #1 reason to love it, haha!
- They’re super simple to make. The hardest and most time-consuming part is chopping up the veggies before you start.
- It’s a warm and filling dinner you can have on the table in 30 minutes.
- It keeps in the fridge for about a week, but in the freezer for up to 3 months, so you can make a double batch, if needed. It freezes great.
tip
Serve Sloppy Joes on a toasted brioche bun for a traditional version of this meal or if you’re feeling more adventurous, serve it over a piece of warm honey cornbread for an exciting fall twist. The sweetness of the cornbread compliments the savory flavors of the meat perfectly.
So, the next time you’re in the mood for something hearty, comforting, and just a little bit messy my friend, give this old-fashioned sloppy joe recipe a try. These sandwiches are a throwback to simpler times, with a few modern twists that make them even more delicious. And who knows—this might just become your new go-to recipe for those nights when you want to keep things easy but still incredibly tasty. Happy cooking over there.
Try These Other Quick Dinner Recipes Too
Old-Fashioned Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey (lean)
- 1/2 yellow onion (chopped)
- 1 carrot (chopped)
- 2 ribs celery (chopped)
- 2 tsp minced garlic (or 2 cloves of garlic, chopped)
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 TBS honey
- 1 TBS dijon mustard
- 1 TBS apple cider vinegar
- 2 TBS Worcestershire
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon (optional, but it's yummy)
Instructions
- Lightly spray a medium size frying pan with avocado oil or Ghee spray. Over medium-high heat, cook onion, carrots, and celery util tender.1/2 yellow onion, 1 carrot, 2 ribs celery
- Add meat and brown thoroughly. When the meat is fully cooked, drain off excess fat (if there is any).1 pound ground beef or turkey
- Stir in minced garlic and cook an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally until fragrant.2 tsp minced garlic
- Add tomato sauce, honey, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to skillet and mix well.15 ounces tomato sauce, 1 TBS honey, 1 TBS dijon mustard, 1 TBS apple cider vinegar, 2 TBS Worcestershire, 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp pepper
- Simmer Sloppy Joes over medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the flavors have had a chance to blend and the sauce thickens a bit.
- Once done, spoon the meat onto lightly toasted brioche buns or serve over cornbread and enjoy.
- Store sloppy joe meat in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze for up to three months. Thaw completely before reheating.
Notes
Nutrition
Tagged:
- 30 Minute
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- Beef
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- Comfort Food
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- Fall
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- Spring
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- Stovetop
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- Summer
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- Whole Food
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- Winter
Sloppy Joes are a favorite in my house! I’m always looking for new ways to reinvent them and I had to try these! They are so good!
Thanks so much Cynthia, I totally agree! 🙂
Sloppy Joes in under 30 minutes?! Heck, yeah, I am loving this recipe!!! I also wish it was anywhere close to 100 degrees here haha; it’s been freezing for weeks now! 🙁
Thank you so much Annie! Funny, I wish for cooler temps, I miss winter! Let’s trade! 🙂
It’s been forever since I’ve made these. These were killer. I like the carrot that you added to the recipe. On my list to make again soon!
Thank you so much! I try to sneak in a few veggies in meals like this, my kids never even noticed – moming win! 🙂
The weather has been getting cold and I was craving something warm. These sloppy joes warmed me right up – very tasty. I served over rice, delicious!
Yes, Lisa – they’re perfect for that! What a great idea to serve over rice – I’m going to try it! 🙂
This is such a simple recipe, but so flavorful. Zero complaints! Yummy!
Thank you so much, Erren! Yes, it’s a crowd pleaser for sure.
These were delicious with tater tots! Very easy recipe and the sandwiches are 10/10!
I agree Meg, tater tots are the best with sloppy joes! Thanks so much!
I made these with ground turkey instead and they were really good! Barely any leftovers. It’s a keeper!
Same here, I use turkey all the time and it’s delicious! Thanks so much Suchi!
I’ve seen sloppy joes countless times on Pinterest, but I had never made them. I’m glad I found this recipe, they’re so easy and so good!
Thank you so much Jovita! They’re a staple in our house because they’re so easy. 🙂
LOL. I love your philosophy. My great grandmother (she lived to be just short of 101) always loved deserts. She judged how good a party or pot luck was by the number of desserts. 🙂 But, back to your recipe. It sounds wonderful. Put it on a gluten free English muffin or roll, and I would be happy. (Eat dessert first and make a plate to take home!)
Yes Amanda! Yes to all of that! Your grandmother and I would have been best friends! That’s one great thing about this recipe, there are lots of options, bun or no bun, gluten-free English muffin or even over zucchini noodles, which was, by the way, super good! Thank you so much. 🙂
So, I made these sloppy joes with chickpeas and they were a hit. I love making this recipe – so much better than the canned sauce!
Oh Sarah that’s a great idea! I’ve never used chickpeas, but I love them in cooking! Thanks for the inspiration!