Homemade Sloppy Joes with red peppers, ground beef and onions cooked in a rich tomato sauce served on a toasty bun. Terrific with a big pile of spicy crispy onions too!
This is one of those forever recipes you’re going to love, and it’s not just for kids!
Sloppy Joes are an American creation dating back to the 1940’s. I remember enjoying them as a child when my mom used seasoning packages from McCormick. Just add water and ground beef and dinner was ready. But Sloppy Joes are not just a kid favorite sandwich! Even though we’re empty-nesters, we still love a good Sloppy Joe from time to time, especially while camping in the fall. You can easily double the recipe to feed a crowd or freeze the filling to have on hand when needed. Freezing is perfect for camping too, just put the frozen container of Sloppy Joe meat in the cooler and it should be just about thawed in time to warm up for dinner. One pot for quick and easy cleanup too – woohoo!
Homemade Sloppy Joes are an easy, flavorful and hearty sandwich the whole family will crave, with or without the spicy, crispy onions!
Let’s talk about spicy crispy onions for a minute. Made with thin sliced sweet onions, buttermilk and a well spiced flour mixture, these simple onions are great served in many ways. Eat them as a snack, as a terrific topping for Sloppy Joes and hamburgers, or in place of croutons on a salad. These homemade crispy onions are excellent as a topping for your holiday green bean casserole; so delicious. Frying is my least favorite way to cook and I avoid it whenever possible, but in this case, it’s so worth the effort! Make a big batch and rewarm leftovers in a warm 300F oven for a crispy tasty treat.
Sloppy Joes make great camping food!
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Red peppers, ground beef and onions cooked in a rich tomato sauce served on a toasty bun. Terrific served with a big pile of spicy crispy onions too!
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef (90-95%)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped (seeds and ribs removed)
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons Montreal Steak Seasoning (low-sodium from McCormick)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 5 tablespoons tomato paste (3 ounces)
- 4-6 toasted buns or rolls for serving
- 1 large sweet onion like Vidalia, halved and thin sliced
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
Heat a large saucepan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil and swirl to coat.
Add the ground beef. Cook stirring frequently to break up the meat. Once browned add the onion and red bell pepper. Cook for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are crisp tender. Add the brown sugar, seasoning, cayenne, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce and tomato paste.
Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently. Keep warm while preparing the crispy onions if using.
Place the onions in a medium mixing bowl and pour the buttermilk over the sliced onions. In a shallow bowl combine the flour, cayenne, salt and pepper. Line a baking sheet or large platter with paper towels. Set all aside.
Add vegetable oil to a large deep saucepan set over medium-high heat. Heat the oil until it reaches 375F. Grab a handful of the onions and drain slightly before scattering in the bowl of flour. Toss to coat with the flour, shake off excess and carefully place in the hot oil.
Cook, stirring gently to break up the onions until browned and crispy, about 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to the paper towel lined platter. Continue cooking until all onions are fried.
To serve, spoon Sloppy Joe mixture over toasted buns and top with a handful of crispy onions. Serve immediately.
The prepared Sloppy Joe mixture can be frozen for up to 30-days. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and heat on medium until bubbly.
Cooked crispy onions can be reheated on a baking sheet at 300F for about 15 minutes.
Leftover tomato paste can be flash frozen in 1 tablespoon mounds on a parchment lined baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to an airtight container and freeze until needed.
Sloppy Joe mixture adapted from Rachel Ray
Crispy Onions inspired by Half Baked Harvest
When we get our next nip of fall in the air I would love to make these! Those crispy onions make them so appealing, Tricia!
Thanks Susan – the little crunch is a nice addition to these well flavored Sloppy Joes 🙂
Cayenne wouldn’t be optional in MY Sloppy Joes! Such a classic dish, and so good. Never had crispy onions with them, though (and again, the cayenne would NOT be optional!) Great idea. Thanks!
Haha – I agree John – thanks so much!
I make sloppy joe at least once a month. However I have never tried these with crispy fried onions. No doubt with those I would be making sloppy joe every day!
Oh try it with the crispy onions Abbe – you’re going to love the crunch 🙂
Love a sloppy joe! This looks so inviting with those crispy onions, too 🙂 Putting this one on the menu!
Thanks Jennifer. Such a great fall sandwich.
My husband’s favourite meal! Love those crisp onions a lot 🙂
Thanks Angie – my husband loves them too!
This is my DREAM meal! Those onions are to die for! Pinning and sharing and then running to the grocery store…
Those onions really add so much to everything. These sandwiches are great too – thank you Sue!
Oh my goodness, I haven’t have sloppy joes in years (too many to say and not scare myself) but you have made me want to pull out the pot and make a big batch! And those onions… yum!!
I bet your grandkids would love these. Such a classic!
Both recipes look delicious and I can imagine how good they are together.
Thanks Larry – they are wonderful as a team!
TRicia !! Welcome back! WE MISSED YOU… and We love sloppy Joes! And we LOVE your new site! Your sister-in-law did a wonderful job! The photo of you is gorgeous too!! What a fun weekend camping, we’re so glad you shared the photos with us! Have a great week! xxoo Anna and Liz
love the new look! Its perfect and who doesn’t love sloppy joes. they are easy and so flavorful
i love sloppy joes! They are easy to make and pleases everyone in the family. I am also loving your new look! It looks perfect!
I officially want to go on your vacations! Looks like a lovely and relaxing place. Now, I'm off to see if I have any of the ingredients for sloppy joes 😉
Hi Tricia, looks like a beautiful place, what a beautiful doe, love these sloppy joes!
What a great weekend! Sounds like the perfect getaway. And I love sloppy joes. there are so many versions of them. i call mine sloppy joses because I add green chilies. Alex has done part of the Appalachian Trail and I think it would be much easier than worrying about the altitude out here!
How fun! I know that area is beautiful and it's a great place to visit. The sloppy joes look great, perfect for your fun time!
Beautiful, beautiful pictures Tricia! I feel like I was there with those flirting deer! I know those sloppy joe's tasted just amazing out in that fresh air, probably better than the most gourmet meal!
What a nice way to spend a holiday weekend. Your sloppy joe's look delicious. This is one of my family's favorites. I'll have to try your recipe. I'm ashamed to admit that our sauce usually comes from a can.
YUM! YUM! The sloppy joe's look wonderful! 😛 I LOOOOVE your pictures Tricia! We live in the Cumberland Mountains & I NEVER get tired of their beauty! We have bear, & even wild mountain lions & panthers! Right in our backyard, literally! So, I know what you mean about the wild animals! Our deer come right up to the house too. I LOVE to see them! Thank you so much for sharing your
Nice pictures of the mountains Tricia and I think the sloppy joes are the perfect camping meal – I'll really like them and usually tackle with a fork as well. Bev loves hamburgers and hot dog chili and regular chili but she does not care for sloppy joes which I do not understand and we don't have them often.
love me some sloppy joes. really i love them and the pictures of the Appalachian Trail are gorgeous. How much fun to be able to go hiking on that
Gorgeous nature shots, Tricia. Your sloppy joe looks mouthwatering.
I grew up in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia (and on sloppy joe's). Thanks for the memories!!<br /><br />Best,<br />Bonnie
It sounds like paradise Tricia!