Description
This Very Best Sloppy Joe recipe features a rich, savory meat sauce simmered to perfection and served on soft hamburger buns with tangy pickles. With a flavorful blend of tomato sauce, ketchup, and spices, this quick and hearty meal is perfect for a family dinner or casual gathering, ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Meat and Aromatics
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 pound ground beef (OR turkey)
Sauce
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 to 4 tablespoons brown sugar (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon prepared mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
To Serve
- Hamburger buns
- Sliced pickles
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a 2-cup glass measuring cup or medium bowl, stir together tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and freshly ground black pepper until well combined; set aside.
- Sauté garlic and brown meat: Heat a large pot over medium-low heat. Add a few drops of extra-virgin olive oil and sauté the minced garlic for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Add the ground beef, increase heat to medium or medium-high, and cook until browned with no pink remaining, breaking apart and stirring the meat as it cooks. Drain off excess grease.
- Simmer meat with sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the browned meat, stir to combine thoroughly, and let simmer for at least 10 minutes until heated through, stirring occasionally to meld flavors.
- Serve: Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto hamburger buns or rolls, top with sliced pickles, and serve warm.
Notes
- Adjust brown sugar amount from 1 to 4 tablespoons depending on your preferred sweetness.
- Ground turkey can be used as a leaner alternative to ground beef.
- Simmering the sauce longer will deepen flavor, though 10 minutes is sufficient for quick prep.
- Drain excess grease after cooking meat to avoid a greasy texture in the final dish.
- Serve with classic sides like coleslaw or fries for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
