Old Fashioned Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe from the 1950s

This recipe for homemade sloppy Joes is a classic. When I feel like comfort food, this recipe from the 1950s fits the bill perfectly. Tender ground beef with tomato and our special seasonings is piled high on soft burger buns for the ultimate easy and delicious meal!

Homemade Sloppy Joes

This classic sloppy joes recipe is loaded with ground beef, green bell peppers, chopped onions, brown sugar, tomato sauce, and more. Grab your hamburger buns and load up for the best sloppy Joes you will ever eat.

Serve this up for busy weeknights or for a simple lunch on the weekend. You can even make a double batch and feed a crowd. This easy recipe is tasty all year round. 

 I love dinners that the whole family can enjoy. Check out my easy taco bake for another easy meal. Pair your grandma’s sloppy Joes with crispy French fries, sweet potato fries, mango slaw, or a simple green salad. The side dishes are endless. Even a bag of crunchy potato chips makes for a great side. 

Recipe Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 4 burger buns
• 1 green pepper diced
• 2 tsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 onion chopped
• 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp granulated garlic
• 1/3 tsp cumin
• 1/2 cup beef broth or water

How to Make Homemade Sloppy Joes

Warm a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet until sizzling.

Reduce heat to medium, add the lean ground beef, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally with a spatula. 

Add the chopped peppers, onions and garlic to the meat, cooking for about another 5 minutes.

Add spices, brown sugar, tomato paste, and Dijon mustard. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Pour in broth. Continue to stir, cooking the ground beef for another 10 minutes with the lid on.

Toast the buns cut side up under low broil. Keep an eye on them as oven temperatures vary. 

Top with a few tablespoons of sloppy Joe mixture.

Add the top of the bun. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• Cook the ground meat until fully cooked and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease from the pan. 
• Sauteing the diced onion and pepper is necessary, as it tenderizes the veggies and enhances the flavor. 
• Allow the mixture to simmer on low, stirring occasionally to help blend all the ingredients. 
• To make this in a slow cooker, cook your beef and then add your ingredients into the slow cooker. Stir the meat in, and cook on low for 2-3 hours. 
• Swap the lean beef with ground turkey, chicken, or other loose meat. 
• Add 1/2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to the mixture for a tangy twist. 
• Use yellow mustard in replace of Dijon. Or if you like spicy food, reach for spicy mustard.
• In addition to the green bell pepper, add some jalapeno pepper to spice up the mixture. 
• Use slider buns for serving up instead of regular buns. This makes a great party food!
• Add some BBQ sauce for a smoky flavor to this easy sloppy Joe recipe. It will transform the whole dish.

How to Store Sloppy Joes

Store your leftover sloppy Joes in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. This mixture reheats well and tastes even better the next day as the flavors blend even more. 

You can also extend the shelf life by freezing the leftover meat mixture. Place it in a freezer bag or container and freeze for 1-2 months. Then, thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours before eating, or defrost straight from the freezer. 

Best Way to Reheat Leftovers

Reheating can be quickly warmed in the microwave. Alternatively, heat the sloppy joe mixture in a skillet on the stovetop on low. Make sure to stir often, or it may burn. 

What would you serve with our homemade sloppy Joes?

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