Grandmas Sloppy Joes

Grandma's Sloppy Joes are a timeless comfort food classic that brings hearty, homemade flavor to your table in just 30 minutes. This family-favorite recipe combines perfectly browned ground beef with a savory-sweet sauce made from ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and a touch of smoked paprika for extra depth. Finely chopped onions and green bell peppers add a fresh crunch, while simple pantry staples like tomato paste and mustard elevate the rich, tangy filling. Serve this irresistible mixture atop buttery toasted hamburger buns for a deliciously messy meal that’s sure to please kids and adults alike. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, these sloppy joes pair wonderfully with coleslaw, potato chips, or a crisp green salad. Let Grandma’s recipe bring a nostalgic touch to your next meal!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 0.75 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cup water
• 6 hamburger buns
• 2 tablespoons butter (optional, for toasting buns)

Directions

Step 1

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until fully browned, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 2

Drain any excess fat from the skillet and return it to the stove.

Step 3

Add the finely chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 4

Stir in the ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix to combine.

Step 5

Pour in the water to thin out the mixture slightly. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.

Step 6

While the filling simmers, toast the hamburger buns if desired. Spread a little butter on the cut sides of the buns and place them on a griddle or skillet over medium heat. Toast for 1-2 minutes until golden and crisp.

Step 7

Spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture onto the bottom half of each bun. Top with the other half of the bun and serve warm.

Step 8

Enjoy your Grandma's Sloppy Joes with a side of potato chips, coleslaw, or your favorite salad!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1432 grams (1432.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2104

Total Fat 128.50g	165%
Saturated Fat 59.10g	296%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 364mg	121%
Sodium 3769mg	164%
Total Carbohydrate 172.90g	63%
Dietary Fiber 90.20g	322%
Total Sugars 62.60g
Protein 165.10g	330%

Vitamin D 18IU	92%
Calcium 267mg	21%
Iron 18mg	100%
Potassium 2017mg	43%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.1%

Protein: 26.3%

Carbs: 27.6%