The BEST Homemade Sloppy Joe recipe is made with ground beef, onion, and bell pepper in a flavorful BBQ sauce and served on toasted buns. This makes an easy 30-minute meal perfect for busy weeknights and easy weekends.

This easy homemade sloppy joe makes such a delicious, quick, and easy dinner. Along with Bart’s Hamburgers, my Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches, and Cuban Sandwiches, it is a definite favorite.

Photo of sloppy joes on a white plate with a second in the background.

If you want an inexpensive yet delicious meal that the whole family loves, this easy Sloppy Joe Recipe is a classic. The ground beef is sauteed in a skillet along with diced green pepper and onion and then simmers in my flavorful BBQ sauce for the ultimate sloppy joe!

How to Make Sloppy Joe Recipe

Ingredients

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

Photo of ground beef, onion, green pepper, bbq sauce, and buns on a white background.
  • Ground beef – I love to use ground chuck, which is an 80/20 blend (80% lean, 20% fat). The ratio of lean beef to fat makes a difference for flavorful Sloppy Joes.
  • Green pepper and onion – Diced green pepper and onion add crunch and flavor to the sandwich.
  • BBQ sauce – While many people use tomato sauce or ketchup, I prefer to use my BBQ sauce recipe. It adds so much flavor and once I started making them that way, I just can’t make them any other way!
  • Hamburger buns – I love to toast my hamburger buns, but that certainly isn’t required!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Photo of cooked ground beef, onion, and green pepper in a skillet.

Cook. Add the ground beef, pepper, and onion to a skillet over medium heat. Cook until all the ground beef is browned and the onion is translucent about 5 minutes. Drain away any excess drippings.

Image of sloppy joe in a skillet.

Add BBQ sauce. Stir in the BBQ sauce.

Photo of sloppy joe filling.

Simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the sauce has reduced and the meat mixture is thick, about 10 minutes.

Photo of Sloppy Joe components.

Serve. Spoon the sloppy joe filling onto hamburger buns.

Storage Tips

To make ahead. Prepare the filling as instructed. Cool and then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

To freeze. Prepare the filling as instructed. Cool and store in a freezer-safe, airtight container for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in a skillet on the stove and serve.

Sloppy Joe on a hamburger bun on a white plate.

Here’s my Sloppy Joe Recipe. I hope you love it!

Sloppy Joe on a hamburger bun on a white plate.
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Sloppy Joe Recipe

Robyn Stone
5 from 1 vote
The BEST Homemade Sloppy Joe recipe made with ground beef, onion, and bell pepper in a flavorful BBQ sauce served on toasted buns. Easy 30 minute meal.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/4 cup bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup diced onion
  • 1 cup BBQ Sauce
  • 4 hamburger buns

Instructions 

  • Cook. Add the ground beef, pepper, and onion to a skillet over medium heat. Cook until all the ground beef is browned and the onions are translucent about 5 minutes. Drain away any excess drippings.
    Photo of cooked ground beef, onion, and green pepper in a skillet.
  • Add sauce. Stir in the BBQ Sauce. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the sauce has reduced and the meat mixture is thick about 10 minutes.
    Image of sloppy joe in a skillet.
  • Serve. Spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture onto the toasted hamburger buns.

Notes

To make ahead. Prepare the filling as instructed. Cool and then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To freeze. Prepare the filling as instructed. Cool and store in a freezer-safe, airtight container for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in a skillet on the stove and serve.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 537kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 1060mg | Potassium: 549mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 172IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 111mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Enjoy!
Robyn xo

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About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

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Recipe Review




2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Robyn, I made this last night for dinner and I’m telling you it was a hit at my house. My family raved over it and asked me to make it for them again. I loved how easy it was to make. I made your BBQ sauce to use in it and one said I need to keep that to put on everything. Thanks for sharing these recipes.

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Anne, I’m happy that everyone loved this simple recipe and loved the BBQ sauce, too.