Better Than a Can Homemade Sloppy Joes

Ready to ditch the canned mix and elevate your weeknight dinners? This "Better Than a Can Homemade Sloppy Joes" recipe is a mouthwatering upgrade to the classic comfort food, featuring juicy ground beef (or lean ground turkey), vibrant aromatics like diced onion and green bell pepper, and a rich, tangy homemade sauce made with ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and a touch of brown sugar for balanced sweetness. Quick and easy to prepare in under 30 minutes, this recipe ensures every bite is bursting with flavor, while optional toasted buttered buns add a decadent crunch. Perfect for feeding a hungry crowd or transforming simple ingredients into a deliciously satisfying meal, this is your go-to for hassle-free homemade Sloppy Joes that will leave you wondering why you ever needed a can.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey for a leaner option)
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 0.5 medium green bell pepper, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 0.75 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 0.25 cup water
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 6 pieces hamburger buns
• 2 tablespoons butter (optional, for toasting buns)

Directions

Step 1

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink and fully browned, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 2

Drain any excess grease from the skillet if necessary, then push the meat to one side of the skillet.

Step 3

Add the diced onion and green bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4

Combine the cooked vegetables and meat together in the skillet. Lower the heat to medium.

Step 5

Stir in ketchup, tomato paste, water, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, paprika, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything well, ensuring the meat is evenly coated in the sauce.

Step 6

Simmer the mixture for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Step 7

While the mixture simmers, slice and optionally toast the hamburger buns. If toasting, spread a thin layer of butter on the cut sides of the buns and toast them in a skillet or under a broiler until golden brown.

Step 8

Spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture generously onto the bottom half of each bun, then cap with the top half. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1376.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2244.3

Total Fat 139.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 63.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 425.8mg	0%
Sodium 3805.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 175.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 90.4g	0%
Total Sugars 63.4g
Protein 166.1g	0%

Vitamin D 50.0IU	0%
Calcium 286.3mg	0%
Iron 21.0mg	0%
Potassium 2171.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.8%

Protein: 25.4%

Carbs: 26.8%