Name: Sloppy Joe Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1/4 cup diced green pepper; 1/4 cup diced onion; 1 cup BBQ Sauce; 4 hamburger buns

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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!

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.

Add BBQ sauce. Stir in the BBQ sauce.

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

Serve. Spoon the sloppy joe filling onto hamburger buns.

Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions

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!