It is SUPER easy to make Homemade Sloppy Joes from scratch! This delicious sauce has a perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. Your family will request this 30 minute meal every week!

Be sure to try my Creamy Beef and Shells and Baked Chili Cheese Dogs next!

A hamburger bun filled with homemade sloppy joes on a wooden plate with chips in the background.

Homemade Sloppy Joes

When it comes to  beef recipes, this one just jumped right to the top of my favorites list.

I did some serious recipe testing  to ensure that no ingredient overpowered another here. (And that each ingredient was necessary. Trust me, everything is in perfect harmony.) 

Manwich vs. Sloppy Joes

  • Manwich sauce comes in a can and contains a combination of tomato paste, water, a few varieties of sugar, distilled vinegar, salt, dried bell peppers, dried garlic, chili pepper, spices, and a few other ingredients. 
  • My Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe was carefully created to ensure the perfect balance of flavors:
    • Tomato sauce, a little ketchup, and some apple cider vinegar for just the right balance of tomato flavor and acidity.
    • Yellow mustard adds depth of flavor, brown sugar adds a hint of sweetness, and Worcestershire sauce adds umami to balance it all out.

How to Make it

See recipe card at bottom of post for ingredient quantities and full instructions

Brown the top and bottom of the ground beef prior over high heat before breaking it up and cooking the middle. The texture will be similar to that of a hamburger and it’s very good in Sloppy Joes.

A pound of ground beef in a skillet before and after being cooked.

Cook and crumble the beef and add the onions until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomato sauce and tomato paste.

Ground beef in a skillet with tomato sauce added to make Homemade Sloppy Joes

Add the remaining ingredients and heat until thickened. Don’t let the sauce reduce too much, especially if you’re going to reheat leftovers. Serve with toasted hamburger buns.

Sloppy Joes being Cooked in a skillet.

Crock Pot Method

  • Prepare the ground beef, onions, and garlic on the stove top as instructed. Drain any excess grease as needed.
  • Add the meat to the Crock Pot and stir in remaining ingredients. (Minus the buns.)  
  • Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally if possible. Serve on toasted hamburger buns.

Storage

  • Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Optional: Add a little more tomato sauce and water or beef broth if you would like it saucier once reheated.

Pro Tips

A burger bun filled with homemade sloppy joes on a wooden surface.

What To Serve with Sloppy Joes

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Homemade Sloppy Joes in a bulky roll.

Homemade Sloppy Joes

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
4.97 from 59 ratings
Servings: 4
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It is super easy to make Homemade Sloppy Joes from scratch! This delicious sauce has a perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. You'll never buy a can of Manwich again!

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 lb. ground beef, 85% lean
  • ½ yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 oz. can tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons hot sauce, optional*
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper

For Serving

  • 4 Hamburger buns, toasted

Instructions

  • Add the oil to a large nonstick skillet over high heat.
  • Add the beef but don’t break it apart yet. Allow a dark brown crust to develop on the bottom of the meat, about 4 minutes. This gives it a hamburger-like texture.
  • Flip the beef and allow a crust to develop on the reverse side.
  • Once browned, reduce heat to medium-high.
  • Add the onions and break the beef apart. Allow the beef to finish cooking through. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
  • Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add all remaining ingredients and stir until heated through and thickened slightly. Don't let the sauce reduce too much, especially if you're going to reheat leftovers.
  • Serving suggestion: Spread butter over the top and bottom of your burger buns and toast them on a griddle or large skillet prior to serving. This adds nice flavor/texture and prevents the buns from becoming soggy.
  • Serve on buns and top with cheese if desired. Serve with potato wedges!

Notes

Crock Pot Method

  • Prepare the ground beef, onions, and garlic on the stove top as instructed. Drain any excess grease as needed.
  • PRO TIP: I like to use this slow cooker as you can brown meat right on the stove top with it.
  • Add the meat to the Crock Pot along with all remaining ingredients. (Minus the buns.) 
  • Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally if possible. Serve on toasted hamburger buns.
Pro Tips:
  • I use Texas Pete or Frank's Hot Sauce!
  • Feel free to top each with a slice of American cheese, or work some Velveeta cheese into the meat mixture itself!
  • This recipe is in The Cozy Cookbook on page 78!
  • Optional Additions: Bell Peppers, Celery
Nutritional information is per serving and includes the hamburger bun.

Nutrition

Calories: 465kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 81mg, Sodium: 1103mg, Potassium: 676mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 345IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 114mg, Iron: 5mg
Did you try this recipe?Mention @TheCozyCook on Instagram or tag #thecozycook!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Stephanie