Craving a taste of nostalgia with a twist? This Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe With Ketchup is just what you need! It's a classic, messy, and oh-so-delicious dish that's perfect for any night of the week. Made with hearty ground beef, crispy bacon, and a tangy, savory sauce, these Sloppy Joes are sure to bring back fond memories and create new ones.
Jump to:
Why This Recipe Works
- Rich and Hearty: Made with ground sirloin, bacon, and a mix of spices, this old-fashioned sloppy joe recipe is packed with rich, savory flavors.
- Easy Comfort Food: This old-fashioned sloppy joe recipe offers a classic comfort food experience, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
- Flavorful Homemade Sloppy Joe Sauce: The combination of Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, tomato sauce, and brown sugar creates a deliciously tangy and sweet sauce that everyone will enjoy.
🥘 Ingredients
- Ground Sirloin: Lean and flavorful choice for the base of the old-fashioned sloppy joe recipe.
- Sweet Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the dish.
- Red Bell Pepper: Provides color, texture, and a hint of sweetness.
- Bacon: Adds a smoky flavor and richness to the old-fashioned sloppy joe recipe.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Enhances the umami flavor and adds depth.
- Soy Sauce: Adds a savory richness and depth of flavor.
- Tomato Sauce: Forms the base of the sauce, providing acidity and richness.
- Ketchup: Adds sweetness and tanginess to the sauce.
- Chili Powder: Adds warmth and complexity to the flavor profile.
- Cumin: Adds earthiness and depth to the dish.
- Paprika: Provides color and a subtle smokiness.
- Dry Mustard: Adds tanginess and depth of flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Balances the acidity of the tomatoes and adds sweetness.
- Garlic Salt: Infuses garlic flavor and adds seasoning.
- Seasoned Salt: Adds a balanced blend of flavors to enhance the taste.
- Hamburger Buns: Serve as the vessel for enjoying the old-fashioned sloppy joe recipe, toasted for added texture.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- BBQ Twist: Elevate the flavor of lean ground beef with the tangy sweetness of BBQ sauce, adding depth and richness to your Sloppy Joes.
- Spicy Turkey: Elevate the flavor profile by using ground turkey, adding a tablespoon of tomato paste for depth, and tossing in some diced jalapeno for a spicy kick.
- Veggie Delight: Add diced mushrooms, green pepper, carrots, and zucchini for extra texture and nutrition, making it a hearty vegetarian alternative.
🔪 How To Make Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes With Ketchup
- Step 1: In a large skillet, cook the ground sirloin until fully browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat on paper towels, then return the meat to the skillet.
- Step 2: Add the chopped onion and red bell pepper to the skillet. Cook on low for 5 minutes. Cook the bacon until crispy, drain the fat, and set aside.
- Step 3: Add Worcestershire and soy sauce to the skillet and stir. Then add tomato sauce, ketchup, chili powder, cumin, paprika, dry mustard, brown sugar, garlic salt, and seasoned salt. Stir to combine. Let it simmer on low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, toast the buns in a toaster or in the oven until lightly toasted.
- Step 4: After 20 minutes of simmering, stir the Sloppy Joe mixture. Crumble the bacon over it and mix well. Serve on toasted buns, either open-faced or as sandwiches. Pair with chips and condiments like pickles, olives, banana peppers, or relish.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Simmer Slowly: Let the Sloppy Joe mixture simmer on low heat to allow the flavors to meld together and intensify.
- Consistency Check: Adjust the thickness of the Sloppy Joe filling by simmering longer for a thicker consistency or adding a splash of broth if it becomes too thick.
💭 FAQs
To thicken Sloppy Joes, you can simmer the mixture uncovered to reduce the sauce or mix in a tablespoon of cornstarch with water and add it to the sauce to thicken it quickly. Another quick option is to stir in some tomato paste, which enriches the flavor and adds thickness.
Crisp coleslaw or a tangy pickled vegetable medley makes excellent sides for Sloppy Joes, providing a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory meat. Steamed green beans or roasted Brussels sprouts also pair well, adding a nutritious and flavorful balance to the meal.
Leftover Sloppy Joe meat can be repurposed into a hearty filling for tacos, burritos, or quesadillas, adding a flavorful twist to these classic dishes. Alternatively, use it as a robust topping for baked potatoes or mix it into macaroni and cheese for a savory, meaty upgrade to the meal.
Store any leftover Sloppy Joes mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
You can freeze sloppy joes mixture for up to 2-3 months.
Defrost the sloppy joes mixture in the refrigerator overnight.
🧂Serving Suggestions
Wondering what sides go with sloppy Joes? Here are some of my favorite foods that go well with sloppy Joes.
- Coleslaw: A classic pairing, coleslaw adds a refreshing crunch and tanginess that balances the richness of the old fashioned sloppy joes recipe.
- Sweet Potato Fries: Serve crispy sweet potato fries on the side for a deliciously sweet and savory contrast to the old fashioned sloppy joes recipe.
- Corn on the Cob: Boil or grill corn on the cob and serve it with butter and a sprinkle of salt for a simple and tasty side dish.
- Baked Beans: Hearty and flavorful baked beans are a traditional accompaniment to classic sloppy joes, adding protein and sweetness to the meal.
- Potato Salad: Creamy potato salad, flavored with mustard, mayonnaise, and herbs, provides a comforting and satisfying side dish.
🍽 Related Recipes
Did you make this recipe? Leave a review and a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below, or tag us in our Facebook Group! Alternatively, bookmark it in your browser or save to Pinterest.
Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds Ground Sirloin
- 1 Onion chopped
- 1 Red Pepper chopped
- 10 Strips Bacon
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Tomato Sauce
- ¼ Cup Ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 Tablespoon Paprika
- 1 Tablespoon Dry Mustard
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 8 Hamburger Buns
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown the ground sirloin until fully cooked and no pink remains. Ensure the meat is a dark brown. Drain the excess fat on paper towels and place the browned sirloin back in the skillet.
- Add the chopped onion and chopped red bell pepper to the skillet. Cook on low heat for 5 minutes.
- Cook the bacon until crispy. Drain the fat from the bacon and set it aside.
- Add the Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce to the skillet. Stir well. Add the tomato sauce, ketchup, chili powder, cumin, paprika, dry mustard, brown sugar, garlic salt, and seasoned salt to the skillet. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Let the mixture simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- While the Sloppy Joes are simmering, toast the buns. You can toast them in a toaster or on a cookie sheet in the oven until they are lightly toasted.
- After 20 minutes of simmering, stir the Sloppy Joe mixture. Crumble the cooked bacon over the meat mixture and stir to combine.
- Serve the Sloppy Joe mixture on the toasted buns. You can serve them open-faced or as sandwiches. Accompany with chips and condiments of your choice, such as pickles, olives, banana peppers, relish, or other favorites.
This saucy classic brings back all the cozy vibes—smoky bacon, tangy ketchup, and a hint of spice piled high on a toasted bun. Comfort food at its finest!