Sloppy Joe Recipe with Some Spice

Are you looking for a homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe? Well then look no further! This recipe kicks that classic sloppy joe recipe up a notch…but the kids will still eat it.

I have had a long love affair with sloppy joes.  As a kid I remember that can of sauce being opened for a quick and easy dinner…give me extra tater tots please! But as I’ve gotten older I appreciate a well cooked homemade sloppy joe sauce over the quick can stuff. I’ve made many versions but this one continues to be a hit every time! I think you’ll find that it doesn’t take much more time to make real-ingredient sloppy joes and the taste is so worth it! Not to mention you can make a childhood classic and feel good about what you’re eating and feeding to those you love.

You can keep the but kicking hot and spicy by adding all the hot sauce and red pepper flakes or omit them all together. Play with it, you’ll be glad you did!

Sloppy Joe Recipe Ingredients

Print the Recipe

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 pounds ground beef (grass fed is best)
• (2) 8 ounces organic tomato sauce
• 1 cup organic ketchup (try to skip the corn syrup and other crud)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
• 2 teaspoons of chili powder
• 2 teaspoons of Cholula Hot Sauce (optional)
• Salt and Pepper to Taste
• Buns for serving

Prepare Your Sauce

In a bowl mix together your tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, red pepper flakes, chili powder and hot sauce.  Be sure you get this mixed well so all the ingredients are well incorporated.  Now set aside to prepare your meat.

Prepare Your Meat

• Turn your burner to a medium heat and put your large pot or Dutch Oven on.
• Add some extra virgin olive oil to it (couple teaspoons) and sauté your chopped onion until it is almost translucent.
• Add your minced garlic into the onions and continue sautéing until the brown slightly.
• Add your ground beef and cook fully (no pink).  Be sure to use your spatula to break up the meat as you turn it.
• Drain grease.

Now Let’s Make it Kick Your Butt Sloppy Joe’s!

• Put your meat back on the burner and pour your sloppy joe sauce over it.  Mix well but gently, then allow it to simmer 5-10 minutes to warm and allow the flavors to fully develop.
• Taste and salt and pepper as desired.
• Pile your meat mixture on some good hamburger buns and get messy!

Great sides: fries (or tater tots), coleslaw, baked beans or even a crisp salad.

Serves 6-8 depending on portion size.