Beef Sloppy Joes Sandwich (Printable)

Savory ground beef with tomato sauce on toasted buns, offering a hearty, flavorful meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meat and Vegetables

01 - 1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauce

05 - 1 cup tomato sauce
06 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
07 - 2 tablespoons ketchup
08 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar
10 - 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
11 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - ½ teaspoon chili powder
13 - ½ teaspoon salt
14 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ To Serve

15 - 4 hamburger buns, split and lightly toasted
16 - Optional: sliced pickles or shredded cheddar cheese

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and nearly cooked through, about 4 to 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
03 - Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, yellow mustard, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to blend the flavors.
04 - Reduce heat to low and let the mixture simmer uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened to desired consistency.
05 - Spoon the hot beef mixture onto the bottom halves of the toasted hamburger buns. Add sliced pickles or shredded cheddar cheese if preferred, then cover with the top bun. Serve immediately.

# Expert Hacks:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes, making it your secret weapon for weeknight dinners when time is tight and appetites are big
  • The flavor balance is surprisingly sophisticated—sweet, tangy, savory all working together like a jazz trio in your mouth
  • You probably have most of these ingredients already, and the ones you don't are pantry staples that earn their real estate
02 -
  • Don't skip draining excess beef fat—the difference between a silky sauce and a greasy one comes down to this small discipline
  • The Worcestershire sauce is non-negotiable if you want depth; it's what transforms a simple tomato beef mixture into something memorable
  • Toast your buns, even if it seems like an extra step—a soft bun becomes a sad, soggy mess within minutes of the hot filling touching it
03 -
  • Use an 80/20 ground beef blend—it has just enough fat to create a silky sauce without the greasy disappointment of higher fat ratios
  • The secret to incredible depth is layering flavors: tomato sauce plus tomato paste, ketchup plus Worcestershire sauce, plus brown sugar—each adds something different

Go Back