Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. This step builds a crucial flavor base for your sloppy joes.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 medium yellow onion
- Add the lean ground beef to the skillet with the onions. Break up the meat with your spoon and cook, stirring, until it's fully browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess grease from the skillet.1 medium yellow onion, 1 pound lean ground beef
- Stir in the garlic powder, salt, and black pepper into the browned beef and onion mixture. Cook for another minute, allowing the seasonings to become fragrant.1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, packed light brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika (if using), and red pepper flakes (if using). This combination creates the signature sweet, tangy, and slightly smoky flavor profile of classic sloppy joes.1/2 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, Pinch red pepper flakes
- Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the browned beef and onions in the skillet. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it cook for at least 10-15 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. For an even richer flavor, you can simmer it for 20-30 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
- While the sloppy joe mixture is simmering, lightly toast your burger buns, if desired. This adds a delightful textural contrast.4-6 soft burger buns
- Spoon generous portions of the Best Homemade Sloppy Joes filling into the toasted buns. Serve immediately and enjoy the messy, delicious goodness!4-6 soft burger buns
Notes
Once the filling has cooled completely, transfer it to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the filling in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to 2-3 months.
