The best thing about Sloppy Joes, if you ask me is the name. It's such a fun and exciting meal to hear about when you're a kid. It was like instant permission to be care-free for me. This easy classic Sloppy Joe recipe reminds me of some of the very best days of childhood.
This is the BEST recipe to try in January. It's the perfect post-holiday comfort food.
OLD FASHIONED SLOPPY JOES RECIPE WITH KETCHUP
If you've been craving this classic from your childhood, you’re going to love this old-fashioned sloppy joes recipe with ketchup.
These Sloppy Joes will quickly become one of your favorite ground beef recipes.
CLASSIC SLOPPY JOE INGREDIENTS
With a handful of common ingredients, you will be on your way down nostalgia lane in no time.
Here is the list of ingredients included in this recipe:
- Ground Beef
- Diced Onions
- Diced Green Bell Pepper
- Ketchup
- Chili Sauce
- Brown Sugar
- Yellow Mustard
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Garlic Powder
- Salt and Pepper
Yes, this recipe calls for ketchup and mustard. How fun is that?
Scroll down to the recipe card to get the exact measurements for each ingredient.
HOW TO MAKE CLASSIC SLOPPY JOE RECIPE
Recreating this old school recipe is as easy as 1, 2, 3.
Let me walk you through the simple steps to make this.
1. Over medium heat, brown ground beef with onions and green bell peppers in a medium sized skillet. Then, cook until the beef is no longer pink and drain.
2. Next up, add in the ketchup and chili sauce. Stir to combine and then add in the brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir again to combine the ingredients thoroughly.
3. Lastly, bring mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 25 minutes. Stirring occasionally to avoid sticking.
Serve the Sloppy Joe over your favorite roll or hamburger bun and enjoy.
Print or save this tasty ground beef recipe below:
Classic Sloppy Joe Recipe
Old fashioned classic Sloppy Joe recipe made using ketchup and other simple common ingredients. Perfect quick dinner with ground beef.
Ingredients
- • 1 pound Ground Beef
- • ½ cup diced Onion
- • ½ cup diced Green Bell Pepper
- • 1 ½ cups Ketchup
- • ¾ cup Chili Sauce
- • 1 teaspoon Brown Sugar
- • 1 teaspoon Yellow Prepared Mustard
- • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- • ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- • ½ teaspoon Salt
- • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- • ¼ cup Water, Optional**
Instructions
1. In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef with onions and green bell peppers. Cook until the beef is no longer pink. Drain.
2. Add in the ketchup and chili sauce. Stir; then add in the brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine well.
3. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 25 minutes. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking.
Notes
**Only use the ¼ cup water if after cooking for 25 minutes, you prefer a sloppier Sloppy Joe. TIPS:
* Use lean ground beef to skip draining the fat in Step 1
* The longer the beef mixture cooks, the more time the flavors have to blend together
* Ground Turkey substitutes beautifully in this recipe
* Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
If you're looking for more ways to use ground beef, I recommend trying Sheet Pan Nachos asap.
And if you're a 30 minute or less dinner fan, this baked ravioli is a fast favorite.
Let me know if you try this recipe, would love to know your thoughts.
Have any fun Sloppy Joe memories? Share those, too!
Teri
Wednesday 21st of December 2022
Hi! My husband found this recipe and asked me to make it since he thought it would be similar to the memorable and delicious Sloppy Joe’s he had back in elementary school in the 1950s.
Turned out great and delicious! I will make again but use a low or no sodium ketchup. I did not add any additional salt since I realized there was already a lot in the ketchup and chili sauce.
I never knew about chili sauce like this variety! Spiced up ketchup! Very good and will be excellent with fries!
I also added about a 1/4 cup of water at the beginning of the simmering process and it came out perfect consistency.
Thanks!