When I say "easy sloppy joes" I mean EASY. This is actually my mother in law's recipe and it's been an Adams' family favorite long before I was part of the picture. You'll only need 3 ingredients and 20 minutes to make these tasty sandwiches!
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Homemade sloppy joes are awesome when you need a ridiculously easy dinner for the family. They take minimal time and effort which is perfect for a busy weeknight.
Some of my other really easy go-to's are shredded chicken and rice casserole, air fryer chicken or salmon bites, and ground beef pasta bake.
But sloppy joes are top of list for effortless meals (crockpot salsa chicken comes in second).
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Simple: This recipe is so easy, so straightforward and really delicious.
Quick meal: All you have to do is brown the meat, add sauce and portion onto buns. You can toast the buns if you've got time, but it's not necessary.
Self serve: Different family members eating at different times? No problem! Make your sloppy joe mix, put a lid on the skillet to keep it warm and let people serve themselves as needed.
Family favorite: This is such a nostalgic recipe for my husband, who's family made sloppy joes often (and EVERY year on Halloween). It's easy to make this one a tradition since it's SO darn easy.
Meal prep friendly: Make and freeze, then warm it back up when needed.
Your Grocery List:
Many sloppy joe recipes claim only three ingredients but actually require more. This recipe is truly made with only 3 ingredients!
- Ground beef: I typically use 80/20% ground beef because higher fat content meat is more affordable. I simply drain extra fat after browning, or soak it up with a paper towel. You can use lean ground beef if preferred, or even ground turkey.
- Chili sauce: This sweet-tangy sauce is THE secret ingredient! Sloppy joes are often made by mixing ketchup (or tomato sauce), yellow mustard, brown sugar, various spices, and a vinegary ingredient like Worcestershire sauce. With chili sauce you're one and done. I buy the store brand from Kroger/Safeway or Heinz brand, find it by the ketchup and other condiments.
- Hamburger buns: We prefer sesame buns but any type will work. Also, hot dog buns will do the trick if you have some to use up!
- Optional toppings: Add a slice of cheddar cheese or some pickles to your sloppy joe if you want!
Quick Recipe Overview
Keep scrolling for the full recipe card and measurements. We’ll start here with a quick overview!
Make meat sauce:
- Brown meat over medium-high heat in a large skillet.
- Add chili sauce and stir well. Cook sauce and ground beef together for 10-15 minutes.
Assemble:
- Toast buns (optional) and spoon meat mixture on top.
- Add cheese and pickles to your sandwich if desired.
- Serve and enjoy!
Stacey's Top Tips
- Make sloppy joe mixture in a lidded skillet so it can be kept warm once cooked. This way everyone can self serve and eat when they need to (if it's the kind of night that requires flexibility)!
- Need to feed a crowd? This is one of the easiest recipes to double when you've got a lot of mouths to feed. You can also bulk things up with a finely chopped onion or green bell pepper (sauté with meat to soften).
- This recipe can be made in your crockpot. Brown beef, add it to the slow cooker and stir in chili sauce. Cook until hot and bubbly!
Easy Sides For Sloppy Joes
- Pickles: Whole pickles or pickle spears make the perfect, light side for these savory sandwiches.
- Chips: Classic ruffle potato chips are my favorite.
- Green beans: Another SUPER easy side! Dump a can of green beans into a saucepan and heat them up.
- Veggies: Air fryer sweet potato cubes or roasted broccoli and cauliflower. A simple garden salad would also be perfect.
- Coleslaw: It's a well known fact that any loose meat sandwich is great with cold, refreshing, classic coleslaw. Enjoy it on the side or even add a layer to your sloppy joe.
- Soup: Soup and sammies! A classic, age-old combo. I think sloppy joes would go great with a puréed soup like butternut squash.
- Cheese slices: On top or on the side!
Make Ahead & Storage
Storing leftovers: Allow leftovers to cool and transfer them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
How to freeze: Sloppy joes are excellent for make-ahead and meal prep because they freeze well. And it's easy to double this recipe so you can make a lot at once. Let sloppy joe mix cool down, then scoop into large Ziploc bags and press flat for convenient storage and quick thawing. Of course, you can also freeze in containers! Reheat, straight from frozen, on the stovetop or in the microwave. Thin with a splash of water if needed.
Fun tip! Meal-prepped or leftover sloppy joe meat is AWESOME on baked potatoes or added to grilled cheese sandwiches.
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Easy Sloppy Joes Recipe (3 Ingredients)
Equipment
- 1 Large skillet *I like to use one with a lid so I can keep sloppy joe mix warm once it's done!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 16 oz jar chili sauce *see note below
- 4-5 hamburger buns
Recipe notes:
General: Sloppy joe mix can be divided between 4-6 sandwiches depending on bun size. General: Want to bulk up your meat mixture with veggies? Add finely chopped onions or green pepper! Sauté with your hamburger meat to soften. Chili sauce: I buy the store brand from Kroger or Safeway, find it by the ketchup and other condiments! Heinz chili sauce is also a good option and has very similar ingredients to the store brand options.Instructions
- Brown ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat if necessary.1 lb ground beef
- Stir in chili sauce. Cook meat and sauce together for 10-15 minutes, then turn heat off.16 oz jar chili sauce
- Toast buns if desired and divide sloppy joe mixture evenly. Top sandwiches with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese and pickles if desired.4-5 hamburger buns
- Enjoy!
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