Sloppy Joes Sandwiches

There is a reason why Sloppy Joes have been around for so long and remain popular with kids and adults alike. Messiness aside, they taste really good! They are quick and easy to make and don’t require any special ingredients.

What are Sloppy Joes?

Basically Sloppy Joes is a combination of ground beef, onions, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce and seasonings that are simmered together creating a tasty mixture that is best served on a soft roll. Simplicity. Perfection. Happy eating.

Origin of Sloppy Joes

Cookbooks from the early 20th century have included recipes for sloppy Joes or similar dishes. They may have different names but similar ingredients. It has been suggested that the “loose meat sandwiches” that were sold in Sioux City, Iowa in the 1930’s were where sloppy Joes got their start.

My grandmother’s cookbook titled, The New American Cook Book from the 1940’s has a similar recipe for Cuban Beef Stew that contains stewed tomatoes, onions, seasonings and chopped beef.

Who Joe is or how it got into the title is also a mystery. What isn’t a mystery is the popularity of sloppy Joes.

How to make Sloppy Joes

Begin by chopping 1 onion.

Add the  ground beef and onion to a large skillet.

Cook over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, stirring to break up the beef.

When the beef is cooked through, drain off the fat.

Stir in a 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard, and a 1/4 teaspoon allspice. 

Pour in 2 8-ounce cans tomato sauce, 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce, and a 1/4 cup water. Stir to combine.

Bring almost to a boil then reduce the heat and gently simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.

Serving the sloppy joes sandwiches

For each Sloppy Joes sandwich, spoon about 1/2 cup meat mixture onto a soft bun.

Suggestions for great sides include Hazel’s Potato Salad, Coleslaw or our favorite Macaroni Salad.

Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial

PRINT RECIPE

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Cook beef and onion in a large skillet set over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Drain.

Stir in remaining ingredients. Bring almost to a boil; reduce heat and gently simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.

Spoon about 1/2 cup meat mixture onto each bun. Yield: 8 servings.

Serve on dinner rolls or buns. Click Classic Sandwich Buns for the recipe to make your own incredibly delicious rolls, easily, with the help of a bread machine.

You might also like…

Three Bean Salad

Macaroni and Cheese

Blended Mushroom Beef Burger

Sweet and Sour Meatloaf