Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe
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This is the best Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe, delivering the kind of weeknight comfort food that never goes out of style. Juicy ground beef is simmered in a rich, tangy sauce made from ketchup, tomato paste, and a touch of balsamic vinegar, giving it that crave-worthy sweet-and-savory balance. Served on buttery toasted buns, these sandwiches are saucy, hearty, and satisfyingly messy in all the right ways. Learn how to cook Sloppy Joes entirely from scratch and have dinner on the table in just 15 minutes. This recipe has been a family favorite for over a decade!
Table of Contents
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS SLOPPY JOE RECIPE WITH KETCHUP
- Great for Busy Nights: Ready in just 15 minutes!
- Rich, Tangy Sauce: Clings perfectly to every bite.
- Only Real Flavor: No mix packets or mystery ingredients.
- Dinner Winner: Kid-approved, crowd-pleasing, and freezer-friendly.
Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe
This homemade Sloppy Joe recipe has been on our site for over ten years… and for good reason. It’s fast, foolproof, and tastes like something your grandma used to make after a long day.
The inspiration… My favorite meatloaf! The sauce is perfectly balanced: tangy from the vinegar, sweet from the ketchup, and rich from the beef.
I mean, can you really ever go wrong with a meal that’s ready before you can even set the table? I promise, once you know how to cook Sloppy Joes from scratch, you’ll never go back to the canned stuff.
Toast those buns (you’ll thank me later), grab some napkins, and welcome yourself to the clean plate club!
INGREDIENT NOTES
- Ground Beef: I like 85-88% lean for the perfect balance of juiciness and flavor without too much grease.
- Ketchup: The base of the sauce. Use a good-quality ketchup for the richest flavor.
- Tomato Paste: Adds depth and thickens the sauce beautifully.
- Balsamic Vinegar: The secret ingredient that gives this old fashioned Sloppy Joe recipe its rich, tangy sweetness.
- Garlic & Onion Powder: Simple pantry staples that add savory depth in seconds.
- Buns: Go for soft, bakery-style buns and toast them for the perfect contrast of crispy edges and saucy center.
VARIATIONS
Cheesy Sloppy Joes: Melt a slice of cheddar or provolone on top of the meat right before serving.
Spicy Kick: Add ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for heat.
Loaded BBQ Style: Stir in 2 tablespoons of your favorite barbecue sauce for a smoky twist.
Italian Sloppy Joes: Add a sprinkle of Italian seasoning and top with mozzarella for a Mediterranean spin.
Sloppy Joe Bowls: Skip the buns and serve the mixture over mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted veggies.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- Classic Pairing: Serve with air fryer french fries or crispy potato chips for that diner-style combo.
- Fresh Contrast: Add a big bowl of copycat Olive Garden salad on the side for a crisp, tangy bite.
- Comfort Side: Pair this homemade Sloppy Joe recipe with cheesy scalloped potatoes for a cozy, satisfying meal.
- Beverage Pairing: Ice-cold cola or root beer balances the savory sweetness perfectly.
HOMEMADE SLOPPY JOE RECIPE FAQ
Yes! Ground turkey or chicken both work beautifully. Add an extra tablespoon of tomato paste for richer flavor, then taste and add more seasonings if needed.
Simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes, or stir in 1 teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of water.
Absolutely. Brown the meat first, then add all ingredients to the slow cooker and heat on low for 2-3 hours.
Spread butter on the cut sides and toast them face down in a skillet. Or, place them cut side up on a sheet pan and broil until golden brown.
Over the years, I’ve made hundreds of weeknight dinners, but this Sloppy Joe recipe with ketchup is one that stands the test of time.
The science behind the sauce is simple: the acidity from the vinegar balances the sweetness of the ketchup and enhances the umami in the beef.
The result? A perfectly thick, glossy sauce that clings to every bite.
After more than a decade on our site, this one remains a reader favorite because it hits that nostalgic sweet spot between easy and unforgettable.
DONNA’S PRO TIPS
- Toast the Buns: Butter and toast your hamburger buns for the best flavor and structure.
- Don’t Skip the Balsamic Vinegar: It’s the secret to depth and tang! Don’t substitute it with plain white vinegar either.
- Control the Sauce Thickness: Simmer longer for thicker sauce, shorter for saucier sandwiches.
- Batch Cook: Double the recipe and freeze half for instant weeknight dinners.
- Serve it Right: Spoon generously… the “sloppy” is part of the fun!
TOOLS NEEDED
- 10-Inch Skillet: For browning the ground beef and simmering the filling.
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula: For breaking up and stirring the meat.
- Mixing Spoon: To combine the sauce ingredients evenly.
- Toaster Oven or Skillet: For toasting hamburger buns.
- Airtight Container: Perfect for leftovers or freezing extra filling.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Lazy Day Recipes
Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef, I like 88%
- 1 1/4 cups ketchup
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup water
- 6 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Cook the Beef: In a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned and crumbly, about 5–6 minutes. Drain any excess liquid.
- Add the Sauce Ingredients: Stir in ketchup, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and water. Mix well to combine.
- Simmer for Flavor: Cover and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and clings to the meat.
- Toast the Buns (Optional but Amazing): Butter the cut sides of your hamburger buns and toast them in a hot skillet or oven until golden and crisp.
- Assemble and Serve: Spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture generously over toasted buns. Serve immediately and dig in!
Video
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published October 2015, updated and republished November 2025
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We’re Donna and Chad, the dream team behind The Slow Roasted Italian. Our focus is on taking complicated OUT of the kitchen. Life is busy enough, making meals should be fast and easy, to help make your life as simple as possible. Read More >>
These are delicious! Never been a fan of regular sloppy Joes so what a great change. Buttering and toasting the buns makes all the difference!
Thanks so much, Ginger! We are so happy you enjoyed it!
ADD SOME CHOPPED ONION AND GREEN PEPPER SOOOO GOOD
Hi! I make my sloppy joes almost like yours except I do add a little minced onion and green pepper as well as Worcestershire sauce instead of balsamic vinegar. I'll have to try the vinegar next time and see if that's something I want to change to!
Thank you for all the delicious recipes, I really enjoy them!
Thanks so much! We are so happy you enjoy them!
I made these. My husband said this is the best sloppy joe he ever had. They really are very good. I will certainly be making these again.
I add about a quarter cup yellow mustard or to taste
No viniger definite onion
I have no idea what happened but followed it to a t. It was so vinegary we couldn't eat it and had to just eat mashed potatoes for dinner. I even added more water, tomato juice and even some brown sugar to try to even it out. Didn't work. Do you really put a whole tablespoon into this?
I love Sloppy Joes – my husband, not so much. He'd agree to eat them once every couple of months or so, & we always bought the canned stuff. I made this recipe tonight & he LOVED it! It was really good & easy to make. He said that now, he would like to have this a lot more often, so thank you for making him a Sloppy Joe lover!
SO easy!! Tatses amazing
I use some diced onions which I cook with the burger and use Worcestershire sauce instead of vinegar but I’m sure your recipe is good as well.
I ate sloppy Joe’s as a kid it was the canned stuff as I got older I couldn’t stand it I seen your recipe and I liked the mixture of ingredients and thought I would give it a go boy I’m so glad I did soooo yummy I’m a sloppy Joe lover for sure wayyyy better then the canned stuff. Thank you for sharing will definitely rotate this often.
Hi Patty!
We’re so glad that you enjoyed the recipe.
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
I use this recipe but add Worcestershire, liquid smoke, brown sugar and I dice 2 jalapenos (with or without the seeds). Always cook in slow cooker to blend the flavors.
Hi Kathy!
Those are delicious additions. Sounds amazing!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn