This easy sloppy joe recipe is a total crowd pleaser and this quick, unique and flavorful recipe is sure to be a hit with the entire family. Try it today!
Sloppy Joes are not my idea of an elegant dinner. But they do make a hearty and satisfying {and FAST} weeknight meal! This easy sloppy joe recipe is one of Andy’s favorite dinners – he could probably eat them once a week.
When we first got married, we were on opposite sides of the sloppy joe spectrum. And yes, there is a sloppy joe spectrum – hear me out! Actually, when we got married Andy and I were on the opposite ends of the spectrum when it came to most foods.
Cooking was a learning curve for both of us! Basically, I wasn’t aware you could buy sloppy joes in a can, and Andy wasn’t aware you could make it homemade, without a can. I’ve actually discovered numerous canned goods available at the grocery store that I had no idea existed before Andy and I got married, haha!
I finally convinced him to let me make a homemade version from one of my shiny, clean paged, new cookbooks and he grudgingly admitted they were pretty good. I revisited that recipe many times since and it’s become a family favorite. I always call it a win when he wants to take leftovers for lunch the next day!
I have gradually altered that original recipe I used over the years and this easy sloppy joe recipe is where it’s ended up and stayed for the past while. I can’t say it will stay there permanently because it’s me and I just have to be me. I really love the orange zest, it adds such a great flavor surprise. Try it before you skip adding it! You don’t want the zest to be overpowering, just a hint of orange so be sure to add some and taste as you go. Fun fact: orange zest also adds a great little somethin’- somethin’ to BBQ pork sandwiches, another family favorite!
We love to butter the insides of the buns and put them on a griddle until they are golden. Cheese is also a great addition to any dinner sandwich!
For a side dish, I love to make seasoned oven baked potato wedges or rice, we are kinda weird and eat quite a bit of rice because Andy lived in Japan for a while and loves it. I actually grew up eating quite a bit of rice as well because my dad also lived in Japan for a while and loved it! Strange, I know. We also love them with easy canned green bean recipe!
Tell me how you like the orange zest!
PIN this recipe on your Quick Dinner board to SAVE it for later! Follow Longbourn Farm on Pinterest for more great tips, ideas, and recipes!
Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground meat
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon prepared mustard
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown ground meat.
- While meat is browning, whisk remaining ingredients except the orange zest for the sauce.
- When the meat is almost finished browning, add the onion and garlic and cook until translucent.
- Add the sauce and simmer until thickened, about 5-8 minutes.
- Add the orange zest and cook for another minute.
- Serve on hamburger buns that have been buttered and heated until golden on a griddle.
Meg says
We made these tonight for dinner – so good! Definitely a keeper. I didn’t have a whole cup of ketsup so I used honey barbecue sauce to make up the difference. Looking forward to these leftovers.
Sammi Windley says
Sloppy joes are so good! I love this recipe