Say goodbye to bland, mushy Sloppy Joes! We’re bringing an adult-approved Sloppy Joe that will have you rethinking what this sandwich can be. This recipe packs in real ingredients and big flavor, giving you an upgraded version of the classic that’s ready in 45 minutes. We aren’t just making a homemade sauce, we’re also loading our sloppy joes with veggies to give some texture. Bonus, it also sneaks in a little extra nutrition. This is perfect for busy weeknights for a meal that both kids and adults will like.

If you love a delicious sandwich, you may also be interested in our Slow Cooker Crack Chicken or our Mississippi Pot Roast Sliders.

Why Our Recipe

  • Real ingredients, big flavor, and ready in under 30 minutes for an easy, upgraded Sloppy Joe night.
  • Packed with veggies for extra flavor and texture, this Sloppy Joe is a step up from the basic.
  • A perfect blend of savory, sweet, and just a hint of spice. Plus, those toasted buns? Game changer!
Close up view of a sloppy Joe.

Sloppy Joes can be amazing, didn’t you know? It doesn’t have to be a quick, thrown-together meal from a can that kids can tolerate. And it certainly doesn’t have to come from a can! It can be flavorful and packed full of delicious vegetables. It can have texture! Our version is comfort food with an upgrade, and guaranteed to be a hit with the whole family!

Ingredient Notes

Overhead view of the raw ingredients needed to make sloppy Joes on a clean kitchen counter.
  • Lean Ground Beef: Using lean ground beef helps keep the dish from being too greasy. You can also substitute ground turkey or chicken.
  • Onion: A medium yellow or white onion works best here. Dicing it finely ensures it cooks evenly with the ground beef.
  • Green Bell Pepper: Adds a slight sweetness and crunch. Try using red, yellow, or orange bell peppers for a little extra sweetness.
  • Celery: This adds texture and a bit of freshness to the Sloppy Joe mixture. Make sure to dice it finely so it blends well with the other ingredients.
  • Tomato Sauce & Paste: The combination of tomato sauce and paste creates the perfect balance of saucy and thick.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a ton of flavor.
  • Garlic: Fresh garlic is preferred, or you can use the jarred kind. You can substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder if you don’t have the others.
  • Brown Sugar: You can reduce or omit it if you prefer a less sweet Sloppy Joe.
  • Ground Mustard: If you don’t have ground mustard, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard can be substituted.
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: These give a slight kick to the sauce. Adjust the amount or omit entirely depending on your spice preference.

Serving Suggestions

Classic sides for Sloppy Joes would be french fries or tater tots for that lunchroom feel. Coleslaw and baked beans can level things up for a more grown-up feel.

Feel free to switch up the buns for serving too! You could use pretzel buns or brioche buns. You could even skip the buns altogether and serve your sloppy joe mixture over a baked potato instead.

A collage of four images showing the process of how to make sloppy Joes from start to finish.

The Perfect Texture

The texture of your Sloppy Joes can make all the difference, and it’s totally customizable based on your preference. If you are going for sneaky nutrition without anyone noticing the veggies, you can mince the bell pepper, celery, and onion super fine. This way, they’ll blend right into the sauce, giving you the nutrition boost without changing the classic, saucy feel.

For those who like a bit more texture in their Sloppy Joes, give your veggies a normal dice. You can also play with the simmering time. For tender-crisp veggies with a slight crunch, simmer for around 15 minutes. If you prefer the vegetables to soften fully and melt into the sauce, let it simmer closer to 30 minutes.

Homemade sloppy Joes on a baking sheet.

Serve a Crowd

Sloppy Joes are the perfect choice when you need to feed a crowd! The recipe easily doubles or triples, making it an ideal option for gatherings like family parties, game nights, or casual get-togethers. You can keep the filling warm in a slow cooker, allowing guests to serve themselves whenever they’re ready. Just set it to the “warm” setting after it’s fully cooked.

For easy serving, offer a variety of bun sizes—standard for adults and sliders for kids or smaller appetites. You can even set up a Sloppy Joe bar with different toppings like shredded cheese, pickles, coleslaw, or jalapeños so everyone can customize their sandwich just how they like it. With minimal effort, you’ll have a hearty and crowd-pleasing meal!

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerate any leftover Sloppy Joe filling in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freeze in portions for longer storage. Place the cooled filling in resealable freezer bags or airtight containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheat on the stovetop in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 5–7 minutes.

Reheat in the microwave by placing the filling in a microwave-safe dish and heat in 30-second increments on high, stirring between each interval, until thoroughly heated.

More classic American dinner recipes…

Watch the video below where Rachel will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, our Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.