There’s no need to make sloppy joe sandwiches from a can when this super easy recipe is healthier, tastier, and just as quick. 

I live in a house full of Joes. My husband and son are both Joes and I am MaryJo—so it only seemed fitting to share my recipe for the ultimate American sandwich.

This little sandwich has been a staple in many households for decades. No doubt because it is quick and inexpensive to make, fun to eat, and has a goofy name. Was it a family favorite at your house growing up?

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Why are they called Sloppy Joes?

There are a few different rumors circulating on the origins of the sandwich and the name. One is that a fellow named Jose Garcias served a similar dish in his Havana, Cuba restaurant that was well-known for being a bit “sloppy”. 

Another story comes from Sioux City, Iowa in the 1950s, where a local cook named—you guessed it—Joe added tomato sauce to his famous loose meat sandwiches.

In other regions of the country, sloppy joes go by different, equally charming names. You may know them as:

• dynamites
• barbecues
• sloppy janes
• wimpies
• slushburgers
• yum yums

Looking for other simple ground beef recipes? Here are a few to try:
Blue Cheese Burgers
Easy Taco Skillet

Homemade Sloppy Joe Sandwiches

Get ready to ditch the canned Manwich to create your own delicious homemade version.

Ingredients:

ground beef
bell pepper
onion
tomato sauce
tomato paste
brown sugar
olive oil
minced garlic
Worcestershire sauce
mustard
salt & pepper
hamburger buns
melted butter

You’re going to need a large skillet for making this dish. I absolutely love my 360 Cookware frying pan and highly recommend it. 

Start by chopping your onion and pepper. I like them very finely chopped, personally.

Then, add a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat to your large frying pan. Add your onion, pepper, and minced garlic to the pan and season it to taste with salt & pepper. Saute for about 5 minutes, until the veggies soften.

Add in the ground beef, breaking it up into small pieces. Cook, while continuing to break up, until the meat is thoroughly browned. Remove from heat and drain the excess fat from the skillet.

Return the pan to heat and add in tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and mustard. Stir it until it is well combined. Simmer uncovered until heated through, about 5 minutes. Season with additional salt & pepper, if desired.

While the meat mixture is simmering, preheat your oven broiler to high. Separate the hamburger buns, arranging them on a large baking sheet.

Brush each side of the buns with melted butter and place in the oven. Broil for 4-5 minutes or until buns are golden brown, flipping buns over halfway through cook time.

Place bun bottoms onto individual plates and spoon warm hamburger mixture onto buns. Cover with the top buns and serve with a fabulous side dish like these air fryer sweet potatoes, air fryer baby potatoes or sauteed green beans.

These delicious homemade sloppy joes are a quick and easy family favorite dinner any night of the week. 

Did you give these homemade sloppy joe sandwiches a try? Let me know in the comments below or snap a photo and tag @coolbeanliving on Instagram. I’d love to see it!