Homemade BBQ Sloppy Joes Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

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Sloppy joes make a quick, easy dinner. Try this popular tangy bbq version.

Homemade BBQ Sloppy Joes Recipe | CDKitchen.com (1)


serves/makes:

ready in:

under 30 minutes

8 reviews
1 comment


ingredients

2 pounds ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons ketchup
hamburger buns

directions

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion and cook, stirring, until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is soft. Drain off excess grease.

In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, mustard, barbecue sauce, and ketchup until blended (the brown sugar should be starting to dissolve).

Add the barbecue mixture to the skillet and stir well to combine.

Let the beef simmer, stirring as needed, for 5 minutes or until the sauce is heated through and thickened.

Serve the BBQ sloppy joe sauce on buns with any additional condiments as desired.

recipe tips


Cook the ground beef and onions until the beef is thoroughly browned and the onions are soft.

Stir the sauce ingredients until the brown sugar is dissolved.

Simmer the mixture to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed before serving.

Toast the hamburger buns for added texture.

Offer a variety of condiments like cheese, onions, or jalapenos for customization.

Be generous with the sauce for truly "sloppy" joes.

Keep napkins handy, as this dish can be messy to eat.

common recipe questions


Can I use a different type of meat?

Yes, you can use ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based ground meat substitute.

Is it necessary to drain the grease from the beef?

Draining the grease helps to reduce the fat content and improves the texture of the sauce.

Can I make this recipe without brown sugar?

The brown sugar adds sweetness to balance the tanginess, but you can reduce the amount or use a sweetener like honey.

What type of barbecue sauce should I use?

Use your favorite barbecue sauce, whether it's sweet, tangy, or spicy.

Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?

Yes, you can add vegetables like bell peppers, celery, or carrots.

How can I make this dish spicier?

Add chili powder, hot sauce, or diced jalapenos for extra heat.

Can I prepare this dish in advance?

Yes, you can make it in advance and reheat it, adding a little water if it's too thick.

What can I serve with the BBQ sloppy joes?

Serve with coleslaw, pickles, or a side salad for a complete meal.

How should I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?

Yes, after browning the meat and onions, transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 2-3 hours.


nutrition data

283 calories, 20 grams fat, 12 grams carbohydrates, 13 grams protein per serving. This recipe is low in carbs.



more recipes like homemade bbq sloppy joes

BASIC SLOPPY JOES FROM SCRATCH

TOMATO SOUP SLOPPY JOES

BEEF 'N' BEAN SLOPPY JOES

MANWICH SLOPPY JOES

SLOPPY JOES FOR 100

SLOPPY JANE SANDWICHES


reviews & comments

  1. nicollewestin REVIEW:
    April 1, 2021

    This was amazing! We like sloppy joes but the bbq version just became our new favorite.

  2. Cyndi REVIEW:
    July 28, 2020

    I’m so sorry but this not good. At all. It was way too sweet. No one would eat it. Wasted two pounds of ground beef 😞

  3. Cass REVIEW:
    January 18, 2018

    Just right perfect amount of sweet

  4. jenewallace REVIEW:
    February 25, 2017

    I've never loved the ketchup based versions of sloppy joes but I liked this one because of the smoky barbecue sauce. I did cut the sugar down just a little because I felt like the sauce I used was a little on the sweeter side. Simple meal.

  5. Mamasaurous June 21, 2014

    This is the recipe I have been searching for ! Looking forward to making it . Thank you !

  6. Logan B REVIEW:
    February 4, 2009

    I made this dish and just loved it. I would say this is just about the best sloppy joes I have ever had. Will make it a lot more!

  7. Kathryn REVIEW:
    June 8, 2006

    This is the best sloppy joe that I have ever tasted! Provided that you have excellent BBQ sauce, I'm sure that you will love it too. It is also a great meal for people like myself who consequently cannot cook.

  8. Guest Foodie REVIEW:
    February 21, 2006

    I made these for my daughter's birthday and I found the recipe to be very easy and not overly time consuming, so I had time to enjoy her b-day party. I also got many compliments on the BBQ's, they were delicious!

  9. Shannie78 REVIEW:
    December 17, 2004

    it's good and it's better than the old sloppy joes

');

Homemade BBQ Sloppy Joes Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to Sloppy Joe to make it taste better? ›

Well, it's as easy as incorporating a splash of apple cider vinegar to upgrade the savory Sloppy Joe flavors. By adding apple cider vinegar, you introduce a tangy acidity to sugary Sloppy Joe sauce, effectively balancing its sweetness and enhancing its overall flavor profile.

What is the Sloppy Joe sauce made of? ›

What is the sloppy joe sauce made of? It's made with ketchup, brown sugar, tomato paste, Worcestershire, chili powder, garlic, dry mustard, and a little Tobasco (if you want). That sauce coats the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper to make the filling.

How to make homemade BBQ sauce thick? ›

You might try 2TB Flour and a 1/4 cup cold water and mix thoroughly before adding to the BBQ sauce. Depending on the type of BBQ sauce you are wanting, other ingredients can be added as well to some mixtures to add a bit of thickness, such as; tomato paste, or honey.

How to make BBQ sauce taste homemade? ›

What To Add To Store-Bought BBQ Sauce?
  1. Spices like: Smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne, coriander, onion powder.
  2. Fresh herbs like: rosemary, oregano, parsley.
  3. Chipotle chilis in adobo.
  4. Harissa.
  5. Kimchi.
  6. Bacon bits.
  7. Sautéed onions or Jalapeños.
  8. Mop sauce or vinegar.
Mar 8, 2023

What's the difference between a Sloppy Joe and a sloppy Jane? ›

If you're aiming to eat a lower-fat diet, then consider fixing yourself a sloppy jane. This variant on the sloppy joe swaps out regular ground beef for leaner beef. It also places a higher focus on vegetables and other low-calorie ingredients.

How do you jazz up sloppy joes? ›

Give your Sloppy Joe a unique spin by replacing hamburger buns with taco shells and adding a little cumin, crisp lettuce, shredded cheese, and juicy tomatoes. Game day appetizers are always a hit, and these Sloppy Joe Mini Pizzas are no exception. These little pizzas pack big flavor.

What is Sloppy Joe seasoning made of? ›

A sloppy joe seasoning packet is just a combination of spices like chili powder, paprika, dry mustard, garlic powder, and minced onion. They also include dried green pepper flakes, cornstarch, and (¼ teaspoon) celery seed.

What is a New Jersey style Sloppy Joe? ›

There are minor variations depending on the deli, but it is always a double-decker thin sliced rye bread sandwich made with one or more types of sliced deli meat, such as turkey, ham, pastrami, corned beef, roast beef, or sliced beef tongue, along with Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian dressing.

How do you make sloppy joes thicker? ›

  1. Flour can be used similar to corn starch.
  2. Other thickeners used are bread crumbs, potato flakes and oats. ...
  3. Go gradually with these. ...
  4. Use oats to thicken sloppy-joes as to absorb the excess but it will be thicker the next day.
  5. Barley can be used but is more expensive.
Oct 29, 2021

How does Gordon Ramsay make BBQ sauce? ›

For the BBQ sauce:
  1. 350g ketchup.
  2. 1 medium white onion diced.
  3. 70ml water.
  4. 80g soft brown sugar.
  5. 50g smoked paprika.
  6. 80g cider vinegar.
  7. 30g strong coffee (espresso is preferable)
  8. Splash of olive oil.

How do you add depth to BBQ sauce? ›

Create depth by adding dark chocolate and coffee to your barbecue sauce. These two, feature a bitter-sweet combo that can truly enhance the blend of spices and flavors present in your bottled barbecue sauce. Enhance your Barbecue Sauce using almost anything, including your favorite beer.

What thickens BBQ sauce? ›

You can use either flour or cornstarch to thicken BBQ sauce. Just mix together 2 tbsp (16 g) of flour and ¼ cup (62.5 mL) of water, or combine 1 tbsp (9 g) of cornstarch with 1 tbsp (15 mL) of water. Continue mixing the thickener until there are no lumps of flour or cornstarch.

Is it worth making your own BBQ sauce? ›

Skip the store-bought stuff! Homemade barbecue sauce is delicious, incredibly versatile, and oh-so easy to make with pantry staples. Trust us — you're going to want to bookmark this top-rated recipe for classic barbecue sauce.

Why add apple cider vinegar to BBQ sauce? ›

Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is a versatile choice for BBQ sauce. It has a slightly fruity and tangy flavor that pairs well with the smoky and savory elements of BBQ. It adds a pleasant acidity and a touch of sweetness to the sauce.

What does vinegar do in BBQ sauce? ›

Vinegars: These can help balance the sweetness of the standard off-the-shelf sauce. Apple cider vinegar is most common in barbecue sauce, but rice vinegar can do the job nicely without being so heavily tart. You can also look to citrus fruit for acidity as well.

What do people add to Manwich? ›

Tweaks
  1. I used red pepper instead of green. ...
  2. More garlic is better! ...
  3. I really wanted something for my slow cooker but couldn't find a manwich copycat specific to slow cooker recipes. ...
  4. Add chopped green, red bell pepper, hot sauce or cayenne and some white vinegar along with 1 tsp of msg....

What is Sloppy Joe supposed to taste like? ›

Once you've gathered the ingredients, it's basically like making Bolognese. And the flavour is somewhat reminiscent of it too, except Sloppy Joes taste a bit more like BBQ Sauce. The one big difference is that the sauce is cooked right down so it's really thick and not saucy at all.

What can I use instead of tomato paste for Sloppy Joe? ›

How to Substitute Tomato Sauce or Puree for Tomato Paste. You don't have to dash out to the store if you're out of tomato paste; tomato sauce and tomato puree are both an excellent substitute. For every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste needed, use 3 tablespoons of tomato puree or sauce.

Is mayo good on a Sloppy Joe? ›

Happy thoughts: You CAN apply mayonnaise in copious amounts to your sloppy Joe!

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