This super easy sloppy joes recipe requires only 5 ingredients and will be ready in 15 minutes! It’s the perfect weeknight meal for those busy days when you want to whip up something the whole family will love!
Sloppy joes has got to be one of the most quintessential American meals - it never fails to remind everyone of their childhood. And homemade sloppy joes are far better than the canned sauce version!
There’s just something so satisfying about the sweet and savory combination and the messiness that comes with it! Kids love it. Adults love it. It’s just the perfect family meal!
And the best part you only need 5 ingredients to make it! And what’s best is that it can be ready from scratch in just 15 minutes! Talk about the perfect ground meat dinner ever!
Read on to learn exactly how to make this delicious, easy sloppy joe recipe 5 ingredients recipe today!
Jump to:
- What is Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe 5 Ingredients?
- Why This Is The Best Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe 5 Ingredients Recipe
- What You Need to Make Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe: 5 Ingredients
- How to Make Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe 5 Ingredients Step by Step
- Tips For Making the Best Sloppy Joes
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Variation Ideas for This Easy Sloppy Joes
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Store Leftover Easy Sloppy Joes
- More Easy Dinners
- Recipe
What is Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe 5 Ingredients?
The Easy Sloppy Joe recipe with just five ingredients is a simple and delicious meal that you can whip up in no time.
This recipe primarily uses ground beef, onion, brown sugar, yellow mustard, and ketchup to create a hearty, savory sandwich filling. These ingredients come together in a beautiful bouquet of flavors that create the classic taste of homemade sloppy joes.
Making this easy sloppy joe recipe at home is a great way to enjoy a comforting, home-cooked meal that is both delicious and satisfying.
The combination of sweet brown sugar, tangy mustard, and savory ketchup creates a flavor profile that’s just irresistible. This is definitely a must-try recipe that only requires pantry staples to make!
Why This Is The Best Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe 5 Ingredients Recipe
- Easy to make: This homemade sloppy joes recipe is a breeze to whip up. You simply brown the ground beef, add in the onion, brown sugar, mustard, and ketchup, let it simmer, and voila! A delicious meal is ready in no time.
- Quick: There is no need to spend hours in the kitchen. This simple sloppy joe recipe takes only 15 minutes from start to finish, making it the perfect choice for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Family favorite: This recipe is a hit with kids and adults alike. The sweet and tangy flavor of the ketchup and mustard, combined with the savory ground beef and onion, make these sloppy joe sandwiches a meal your family will request again and again.
- Versatile: The best part is that it’s super versatile too! You can serve the meat mixture on hamburger buns (choose gluten-free if needed), toast, or even over potatoes. And it pairs well with a variety of sides, from potato chips to french fries to corn.
- Delicious: The combination of ground beef, onion, mustard, ketchup, and brown sugar creates a hearty, satisfying sandwich with a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. It's a crowd-pleaser that's sure to leave everyone asking for seconds.
What You Need to Make Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe: 5 Ingredients
All you need are some incredibly simple, pantry-staple ingredients to make this delicious easy sloppy joe recipe at home.
Here's an overview of the specific ingredients for this recipe. For the exact ingredients and measurements, please scroll to the recipe card below.
Minced Beef: A key player in this recipe, minced beef adds a hearty and robust flavor. Opt for lean ground beef to reduce calories and fat while maintaining a rich taste.
Ketchup: This classic condiment enhances the overall flavor of the sloppy joe sandwiches, adding a sweet and tangy taste that blends perfectly with the meat mixture. It’s what gives that classic sweet flavor!
Mustard: Mustard brings a tangy and spicy kick, complimenting the sweetness of the ketchup and brown sugar. Yellow mustard is preferred for its milder flavor.
Yellow Onion: Chopped yellow onion is used to add a depth of flavor to the ground beef. It is sautéed until translucent, releasing its sweet aroma into the meat.
Brown Sugar: A touch of brown sugar balances out the tanginess of the ketchup and mustard, giving the homemade sloppy joes a slight sweetness that makes them irresistible.
Avocado Oil (Optional): You can cook the ground beef without oil however if you want to add a nice sear to the meat, you might add a tablespoon or 2 of avocado oil or other cooking oil and cook the meat in it.
How to Make Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe 5 Ingredients Step by Step
Making this incredible easy sloppy joe recipe 5 ingredients recipe at home is super easy and will give you great results every single time. Here's how to make it step by step:
- Cook the ground beef: Start by heating your large skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until it is nicely browned. Make sure to break the beef into small crumbles to guarantee even cooking. Once browned, drain the excess fat.
- Sauté the onion: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the browned ground beef. Cook for about two to three minutes or until the onion has softened and become translucent. This will add a nice depth of flavor to your homemade sloppy joes.
- Add in the condiments and sugars: Now, it is time to give your meat mixture its classic sloppy joe flavor. Stir in the brown sugar, yellow mustard, and ketchup. These ingredients will create that sweet and tangy taste that sloppy joes are known for.
- Let it simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the meat mixture simmer for about five minutes. This will allow all the flavors to meld together beautifully, creating a rich and satisfying taste.
- Serve on buns: Your homemade sloppy joe mixture is now ready to serve! Scoop a generous amount onto toasted hamburger buns. If you like, you can also serve your sloppy joe sandwiches with sides such as french fries or potato chips for added crunch.
Enjoy your easy and delicious homemade sloppy joes!
Tips For Making the Best Sloppy Joes
Choose the right meat: For this easy sloppy joe recipe, you can use either ground beef or ground turkey. Just make sure that it is lean to reduce the amount of fat and calories. After browning the meat, don't forget to drain the excess fat.
Boost the flavor with onions: Sautéing the chopped yellow onion until it is translucent before adding it to the meat mixture will enhance the flavor of the sloppy joes. The onion adds a touch of sweetness and crunch to the sandwich.
Sweeten with brown sugar: Brown sugar adds a subtle sweetness to the sloppy joe mixture, which balances out the tanginess of the ketchup and mustard. Adjust the quantity according to your taste.
Serving Suggestions
- For a classic take, serve your homemade sloppy joes on warm, toasted hamburger buns. The softness of the buns pairs perfectly with the hearty meat mixture, creating a comforting and satisfying meal.
- If you're in the mood for some extra crunch, add a handful of potato chips on the side or even on the sandwich itself. The saltiness and crispness of the chips will compliment the sweet and tangy flavor of the sloppy joe.
- For a cheesy meal, sprinkle a generous amount of your favorite cheese on top of the sloppy joe mix before sandwiching it between the buns. The melted cheese adds a creamy texture and an extra layer of flavor.
- If you're looking for a hearty side, pair your sloppy joe sandwiches with some homemade french fries or roasted potatoes. The starchy potatoes make a great companion to the rich, savory sloppy joe.
- For a bit of freshness, add a side of corn on the cob or a green salad. The sweet corn or crisp salad provides a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory sandwich.
- And for those who love a bit of spice, add a dash of hot sauce to your sloppy joe recipe. It'll give your sandwich a fiery kick and elevate the taste to a whole new level.
Recipe Variation Ideas for This Easy Sloppy Joes
This delicious easy sloppy joe recipe is so flavorful and easy to make you'll want to try out some of these delicious variations! Here are some great ideas:
Switch it up with Ground Turkey: If you're looking to cut some calories and fat from this dish, try using ground turkey instead of ground beef. Ground turkey is leaner but still packs in the flavor. Just substitute the beef with an equal amount of turkey and cook as directed.
Add Some Crunch with Green Bell Pepper: For those who enjoy a little crunch in their sloppy joes, adding a chopped green bell pepper to the meat mixture could be just the ticket. Cook it along with the onion for a nice contrast in texture and an extra dose of veggies.
Add a Savory Flavor with Worcestershire Sauce: If you're a fan of a tangy kick, add a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce to the meat mixture. This will give your homemade sloppy joes a unique, savory flavor that you’ll love!
Go Sweet with Extra Brown Sugar: If you have a sweet tooth, consider adding an extra tablespoon of brown sugar to your meat mixture. This will give your sloppy joe recipe a sweet twist that balances out the tanginess of the ketchup and mustard.
Frequently Asked Questions
For this recipe, you can use either ground beef or ground turkey. If you're watching your calories, lean ground beef or ground turkey is a healthier alternative. Both will bring out the delicious flavor of the homemade sloppy joes.
Absolutely! Just brown your meat and onions in a skillet first, then transfer them to your crockpot. Add the remaining ingredients and let it cook on low for a few hours. This slow cooking method can enhance the flavor even more. But since this recipe is so quick and easy, I recommend trying the stovetop method as per the recipe instructions.
Certainly! If you want to add more flavor, you can include spices such as garlic powder or Worcestershire sauce. Just remember to taste as you go to make sure the seasoning is to your liking.
How to Store Leftover Easy Sloppy Joes
You can easily store any leftovers you may have!
In the Fridge: Allow your leftover sloppy joe meat mixture cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, transfer the mixture into an airtight container. This mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three to four days.
Freezing: If you're not planning on consuming your leftovers within the next few days, freezing is a great option. Just like with refrigeration, let your mixture cool completely before freezing. Store the meat mixture in a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Properly stored, it will maintain the best quality for about two to three months.
Thawing: When you're ready to enjoy your sloppy joe sandwiches again, transfer the frozen container from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. For a quicker option, you can use the defrost function on your microwave, but be sure to stir the meat mixture occasionally for even thawing.
Reheating: Reheat the sloppy joe mixture on medium high heat in a large skillet, stirring occasionally until it is heated through. You can add a splash of water if it seems too dry. Taste and adjust the seasonings if necessary. Spoon the heated mixture onto toasted hamburger buns, top with cheese if you like, and serve with a side of potatoes or potato chips for a quick and satisfying meal.
More Easy Dinners
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Recipe
Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe (5 Ingredients Only!)
Ingredients
- 1 Ib ground beef
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup mustard
- 1 Yellow onion chopped
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Add ground beef to a medium pot and cook it stirring from time to time, over medium heat until browned and until all the liquid evaporates. Add the onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add in brown sugar, mustard, and ketchup. Stir to combine.
- Let it simmer on low for about 5 minutes to combine the flavors.
- Serve on buns, optionally you can serve with your favorite sides.
Notes
Nutrition
Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
JANE T RITCHUK says
looks delish, owever, I think the nutritional info is incorrect
Iryna Bychkiv says
Jane, thank you for your comment! You are so right. For some reason, my nutritional calculator didn't do proper calculations. I fixed it already. Thank you for pointing that out!