Sloppy Joe Recipe- Fun Food for Summer!

Summer time is nearly here! This means that it’s time to start thinking about all the fun summer activities and the summer foods that you will be eating and enjoying very soon. Today we’ll be sharing two great recipes with you – Sloppy Joe’s and Dirt Cups. Both recipes are not only full of flavor but are also easy to make, something every cook likes to hear. Sloppy Joes are generally enjoyed by people of all ages, making them a popular choice for family meals. Sloppy Joes are a classic, crowd-pleasing summer food—savory, saucy, and easy to serve up at backyard barbecues or casual family dinners. Their hearty, tangy flavor pairs perfectly with outdoor fun and simple sides like corn on the cob or potato salad.

Sloppy Joes are popular for several reasons:

1. Taste: They have a savory, slightly sweet, and tangy flavor that many people find appealing.
2. Ease of preparation: Sloppy Joes are relatively easy to make, requiring simple ingredients like ground beef, onions, tomato sauce, and seasonings.
3. Versatility: They can be served on various types of bread, such as hamburger buns or rolls, and can be customized with different toppings like cheese or pickles.
4. Affordability: Sloppy Joes are often seen as a budget-friendly meal, as they can be made with inexpensive ingredients and can feed a large group of people.
5. Nostalgia: Many people grew up eating Sloppy Joes, either at home or in school cafeterias, so they hold a nostalgic appeal for some.

Homemade Sloppy Joes

I’m not exactly sure how Sloppy Joe’s came to be, but there is a lot of speculation. Sloppy Joe’s were thought to have originated in the 1930’s or 1940’s using recipes from the beginning of the century as inspiration. These recipes focused on using ground beef, as this was a time that people found that they needed to stretch their food dollar as far as possible, and accordingly recipes using ground beef as a staple were explored.

If you have never eaten a Sloppy Joe sandwich before, once you see and/or take a bite you will understand how the sandwich got its name, which isn’t named after a specific person but used as a general reference instead; ‘Sloppy’ for its messy features and ‘Joe’, which is used to describe a regular, everyday person.

I think lots of sloppy joe recipes use tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, and chili powder but I find the BBQ sauce is a quick and easy switch for my homemade sloppy joe recipe.

How To Make Sloppy Joes

Ingredients For The Best Sloppy Joe Recipe Ever!

• Olive Oil, 1 tbsp
• Diced Onion, 1/2 cup
• Diced Red Pepper, 1/2 cup (green bell pepper will work just fine too)
• Lean Ground Beef, 1 1/2 lbs
• Ketchup, 1/2 cup
• Barbecue Sauce, 4 tbsp
• Worcestershire Sauce, 2 tsp
• Brown Sugar, 1/4 cup
• Garlic Powder, 1 tsp
• Hamburger Buns, 6

1. In a large skillet, sauté onions and red pepper over medium heat for about 8 minutes. Stir frequently.
2. Clear veggies to the sides of the pan and add in the ground beef, breaking it up and spreading it out over the empty part of the pan. Allow to seer for a few minutes on each side.
3. Then, keep stirring the meat until it loses its red color. Cook ground beef until almost done.
3. Add the ketchup, bbq sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and garlic powder and stir well
4. Simmer over low heat, uncovered, 10-15 minutes. Stir frequently.
5. Spoon mixture over toasted buns and serve. Enjoy!

Printable Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe Card

What To Serve With Sloppy Joes

Are you wondering, “What goes with sloppy Joes?” Well, Sloppy Joe’s are much like a burger, only messier and sweeter. This means they go great with fries. I personally like to serve them with seasoned fries. You could use salt and a sprinkle of paprika or go with Tony Chachere’s Cajun seasoning. My daughter says I put that on everything and I pretty much do! I like a mixture of regular potato fries and sweet potato fries.

Sloppy Joes would also go great with potato chips and homemade slaw. A nice green salad is great if you are trying to stay on the healthier side and in that case you could use ground turkey instead of ground beef for the sloppy joes.

I also like to serve Sloppy Joes with a fun dessert- recipe for dirt cups! Kids love this easy and imaginative dessert!

This Dirt Cup recipe is super fun to make and really delicious to eat.

Conclusion

Making Sloppy Joes from scratch is a simple and satisfying way to bring bold, homemade flavor to your table. With just a few pantry staples and fresh ingredients, you can skip the canned sauce and create a rich, tangy filling that’s perfect for piling onto toasted buns. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or whipping up a quick weeknight meal, this classic dish is always a hit—especially when made with a personal touch.

These easy sloppy joes are the best! I hope you enjoyed these ideas for a delicious summer meal that is easy and fun for kids to enjoy. Serve the sloppy joe recipe with seasoned fries and dirt cups for the win!

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