Mike's Fave Manwich Copycat

Recreate the classic sloppy joe experience with "Mike's Fave Manwich Copycat," a homemade twist on the crowd-pleasing sandwich that’s bursting with bold, tangy flavors. This easy recipe combines seasoned ground beef, sautéed onions, and green bell peppers with a zesty sauce made from tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and a hint of apple cider vinegar. A touch of Worcestershire sauce and spices like chili powder and paprika elevate the flavor for a rich, savory bite in every mouthful. With just 30 minutes from start to finish, this quick and hearty dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Serve it on lightly toasted hamburger buns for the ultimate comfort food experience—no canned sauce required! Perfectly balanced and irresistibly messy, this homemade sloppy joe recipe will delight kids and adults alike.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 pieces hamburger buns

Directions

Step 1

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 2

Add the chopped yellow onion and green bell pepper to the skillet with the ground beef. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

Step 3

Drain any excess fat from the skillet, if needed, and return it to the stove.

Step 4

In a bowl, combine tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to form the sauce.

Step 5

Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the beef and vegetables. Stir to combine thoroughly.

Step 6

Lower the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the beef evenly.

Step 7

Toast the hamburger buns lightly if desired, then spoon the mixture onto the bottom half of each bun.

Step 8

Serve warm with the top buns on and enjoy your homemade Manwich!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1454.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1827.0

Total Fat 101.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 40.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 301.1mg	0%
Sodium 3699.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 160.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 64.0g	0%
Total Sugars 73.6g
Protein 137.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 214.4mg	0%
Iron 15.1mg	0%
Potassium 1647.0mg	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: 43.3%

Protein: 26.1%

Carbs: 30.6%