About this recipe

The ultimate homemade Sloppy Joe — a saucy, sweet-and-savory ground beef filling piled high on a toasted bun. This tried-and-true recipe skips the can and builds deep flavor from scratch with pantry staples. It's quick, crowd-pleasing, and even better the next day. Perfect for weeknight dinners, game day, or feeding a hungry family.

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over ^[medium-high heat]. Add the diced yellow onion and green bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened — about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.

2. 2

   Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up thoroughly with a wooden spoon and cook until no pink remains, about 6–8 minutes. Carefully drain off any excess fat, leaving just a thin film in the pan for flavor.

3. 3

   While the beef cooks, whisk together the ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, water, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl or large measuring cups until smooth.

4. 4

   Pour the sauce over the drained beef mixture and stir well to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer over ^[medium heat].

5. 5

   Reduce heat to ^[medium-low] and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 10–12 minutes until the sauce has thickened and clings to the meat. Taste and adjust salt, brown sugar, or apple cider vinegar as needed.

6. 6

   While the filling simmers, toast the hamburger buns. Melt butter in the skillet (or use a separate skillet) over ^[medium heat] and toast the cut sides of the hamburger buns until golden, about 2 minutes. Alternatively, toast them under the broiler.

7. 7

   Spoon a generous heap of the sloppy joe filling onto the bottom half of each toasted hamburger bun. Top with the other hamburger bun half and serve immediately with napkins — it's supposed to be messy!