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!
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Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe
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
February 6, 2018 at 6:58 PMWe 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
December 30, 2017 at 7:31 PMSloppy joes are so good! I love this recipe