Best Sloppy Joes Recipe

Hands down this the BEST Sloppy Joes recipe (aka wimpies)!  This is my grandma’s recipe and my family has been making it for years.  It’s been a staple at every party and is always a hit.

Why This Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe Works

Whether you know this iconic recipe from your school days, (the Adam Sandler Lunch lady song keeps playing in my head) or it was a staple in your home growing up, my mom’s homemade recipe are the best!

For a dish that is this simple and easy to prepare, you need your flavors to be on point. Therefore, this easy Sloppy Joes recipe has the best flavor and it is very quick to prepare on a busy weekday or great for parties and get togethers because it can be made in large quantities to feed a crowd.

You can make it ahead of time and freeze it for later.  You can make them and keep them warm in a slow cooker parties.  And, you can even substitute ground turkey for the ground beef for a lighter version.  This recipe is very flexible.

How to Make this Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe – Step by Step

For a fast meal that is nutritious and comes together quick, nothing is better than my Best Sloppy Joe recipe.

• Step One: First, in a large skillet, place your green bell peppers, onions and ground beef.(Photo 1 below)
• Step Two: Next, prepare your seasonings celery seed, dry mustard, sugar,and then salt and pepper to taste (Photo 2 below)
• Step Three: Then cook together over medium heat, breaking up the beef as you go. I love my ground beef chopper for this task.  (Photo 3 below)

• Step One: Then drain the fat from the skillet. Next, after the ground meat has browned and the vegetables are tender add the seasonings and ketchup to the skillet.  (Photo 1 below)
• Step Two: Then add the vinegar to the skillet. (Photo 2 below)
• Step Three: Finally, simmer for 15 minutes and serve on your favorite roll. (Photo 3 below)

Can I use my Slow Cooker for this Best Sloppy Joe Recipe?

This is also a great crock pot Sloppy Joes recipe. Similarly, brown the beef, with the onions and peppers, and add it to your slow cooker with all of the other ingredients! Then set it and forget it. When dinner time rolls around, you’ll have delicious slow cooker Sloppy Joes!

 Recommendations for What to Serve with My Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe

I usually serve my easy sloppy joe recipe with my homemade Bread and Butter Pickles. It’s just one of those classic combinations — like peanut butter and jelly. I can’t have one without the other. I regularly like to make my homemade Baked Sweet Fries alongside this recipe.

Expert Tips for Making the Best Sloppy Joe Recipe

Versatility in my recipes are the key to keeping my family interested. So try these handy tips:

• Spice it up: Try putting a little hot sauce and some jalapeno peppers into the wimpie for a spicy twist.
• This Recipe Can be Doubled: This is a great recipe for a crowd. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and you can freeze half or serve to the team, church group or family reunion.
• Sneak in other Vegetables: If you have a hard time getting your kids to eat their veggies, try sneaking in some finely chopped vegetables to your sloppy joes. They will never know!
• Serve Over Rice: If you are gluten free, serve over rice, rice cauliflower or even mashed potatoes to make a hearty meal.

Shop This Recipe

• My favorite Meat Chopper
• Large Skillet
• Slow Cooker

More Recipes You Might Like

• Bread and Butter Pickles
• Sweet Potato Fries
• Sloppy Joe Puffs

Looking for more? Check out all of the Quick and Easy Meals on It Is a Keeper.

Recipes You May Have Missed

• Slow Cooker Chicken And Wild Rice Soup
• Instant Pot Meatloaf
• 2 Ingredient Berry Smoothie
• Honey Baked Ham

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4.22 from 33 votes

The Best Sloppy Joes Ever!

Hands down this the BEST Sloppy Joes recipe (aka wimpies)!  Whether you know this iconic recipe from your school days, (the Adam Sandler Lunch lady song keeps playing in my head) or it was a staple in your home growing up, my mom's homemade recipe are the best! 

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time20 mins

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: ground beef, sandwich

Servings: 6

Calories: 246kcal

Author: Christina Hitchcock

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 green bell pepper - chopped
• 1 onion - chopped
• 3/4 cup ketchup
• 1 teaspoon celery seed
• 2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 2 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Brown beef with onions and peppers in a large skillet.
• Drain well and return to skillet.
• Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Serve on your favorite sandwich roll.

Video

Notes

Versatility in my recipes are the key to keeping my family interested. So try these handy tips:

• Spice it up: Try putting a little hot sauce and some jalapeno peppers into the wimpie for a spicy twist.
• This Recipe Can be Doubled: This is a great recipe for a crowd. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and you can freeze half or serve to the team, church group or family reunion.
• Sneak in other Vegetables: If you have a hard time getting your kids to eat their veggies, try sneaking in some finely chopped vegetables to your sloppy joes. They will never know!
• Serve Over Rice: If you are gluten free, serve over rice, rice cauliflower or even mashed potatoes to make a hearty meal.

• Want to scale a recipe up or down? Simply type in a new serving amount and the recipe will automatically adjust! 
• When a recipe call for House Seasoning Blend, you can use this recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.  
• I always use unsalted butter in my recipes.
• I always use a meat thermometor to test for doneness when cooking meat.  This one is my favorite.  
• When a recipe is made in the oven, it should be pre-heated to the temperature in the recipe, unless otherwise noted.
• The nutritional information provided in this recipe is an estimate.  Learn more on how I calculate nutritional information for my recipes.