28 September 2017

Sloppy Joes - Not Just for Kids Anymore

Sloppy Joes - Not Just for Kids Anymore / www.delightfulrepast.com

Sloppy Joes were never on the menu at our house when I was growing up, due to my father's aversion to ground meat. And a bad version of them was on the school lunch menu. So I didn't get off to a good start in life with Sloppy Joes.

Sloppy Joes originated in the US in the 1940s. Packaged Sloppy Joe seasoning mix and canned Sloppy Joe sauce came out in the 1960s. I'm sure the packaged and canned sauces are very tasty, but they are not organic; so I must make my own.

They might more often be thought of as kid-friendly food, but adults enjoy them as well. Though I'm just cooking for two most nights, I make a big batch and divide it into four meals (three for the freezer). In case that bit of math doesn't add up, Mr Delightful has two!

Sloppy Joes - Not Just for Kids Anymore / www.delightfulrepast.com

Sloppy Joes


(Makes 12)

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium (about 8 ounces/227 grams) yellow onion, finely diced
1 medium (about 4 ounces/113 grams) green bell pepper, finely diced
1 medium (about 4 ounces/113 grams) red bell pepper, finely diced
2 pounds (907 grams) lean ground beef or turkey
4 tablespoons (3 ounces/85 grams) tomato paste
2 teaspoons ground dried chiles
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon country Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 14.5-ounce can fire roasted crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup water
12 buns, split and toasted
Garnishes: shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapenos, sliced dill pickles


1 In large skillet (I use this All-Clad 4-quart sauté pan), heat oil and cook onion for about 5 minutes. Add bell peppers and continue cooking for about 2 minutes.

2 Add ground meat and continue cooking, breaking up the meat, until done and liquid is evaporated. If you're not using lean meat, you may have to drain off some fat; but wait until the liquid has evaporated.

3 Stir in tomato paste, ground chiles, salt, cumin, pepper, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce; cook for about 1 or 2 minutes.

4 Stir in crushed tomatoes and water. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes.

Note: Can be made a day or two ahead and refrigerated. Or freeze in meal-size portions for up to a month.

5 I use my own Homemade Hamburger Buns or similar ones from the bakery, split and well toasted on the griddle with half organic unsalted butter and half extra virgin olive oil, and 1/2 cup of meat mixture for each.

54 comments:

Angie's Recipes said...

It's my husband's favourite! He could have had two at one go too. Yours looks great, Jean.

Thomas "Sully" Sullivan said...

Sloppy Joe’s – the name intrigues me. Bad restaurant that failed a health inspection? Someone licked a counter and found the grit there to be tasty, and that’s how it got packaged as an add-in. Blah. I’m kinda with you on doing your own chemistry, wielding spices and seasonings to taste and throwing a tub of the stuff in the fridge for quick meals. I’ve come to like it cold, actually. Maybe some sour cream and black olives to bring it back to life. Or if I heat it in the microwave, I add some fresh cheese. A version I call Mexican Dragon is good with mushrooms, especially shiitake. The stuff is a natural repository for brands like Ragu tomato sauce (though, of course, you would make your own). I’ve even mixed it with spaghetti and raspberry coffee cake. Surprisingly, a crisp apple makes a nice palate cleanser. Meals with plug-in variations are a staple with me. Footnote: I only use 96% lean on the ground meat.

Manu said...

Oh it looks delicious!!
Thanks for sharing.
I'll five it a go :-)

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Angie! I fill our plates at the stove for dinners alone, and it's always just right for Mr Delightful when I put twice as much food on his plate as mine.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Sounds good, Sully! And, yes, the leaner the better - if for no other reason than I'm always making huge pans of stuff, and my pans are heavy, so I cannot be flinging them around draining fat off and it *would* have to be drained!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Manu, thank you! And do let me know how it turns out for you.

Mrs Shoes said...

Boot LOVES sloppy joes!! I'll give your recipe a try this week yet, for sure!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Mrs Shoes! And please come back and let me know how Boot like these.

Louca por porcelana said...

Humm,it looks good,Jean!The name is very fun...Hugs.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Maristella. Of course, I can't take credit for the name! In Portugese, Descuidado José, I think?

Richard Sheppard said...

I admit it, I'm a closet sloppy joe fan. Have been since I was a kid. And yes, I use the packet but I usually add onions and red bell peppers to the mix. This recipe sounds great and will have to give it a go next time I get a craving!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Richard, thanks for confessing! :D I hope you'll try my recipe soon - I don't think you're going to miss the packet at all - and let me know how you liked it.

Jeanie said...

Love sloppy Joes. Always have, always will. And always looking for a great recipe that doesn't end up too soupy and has loads of flavor. I think this is it!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Jeanie! I sure hope you like it!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Yum! Your recipe sounds really good, Jean. I have never made Sloppy Joes from scratch although a friend loaned me her recipe just the other day. Yours and hers are much the same and I'm quite sure much better than the canned which I make. {Sometimes I am feeling lazy and want to make something quick and sloppy joes has always been the go-to meal here.} Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your recipe. Growing up, my mother made her version and as tiny girl, I named them "Meaties." My siblings and I still refer to sloppy Joe's as "meaties." lol

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Sandi, thank you. Yes, on a more energetic day you might want to make it from scratch; but when time and energy are short, feel free to use the canned sauce - I won't judge! :D

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Mildred, I love it! "Meaties" is a great name! I have a friend whose family always called their version of chili mac "schmeggies" - I'm guessing at the spelling because they never wrote the name down and said they had no idea where it came from. You must be sure to pass down your "Meaties!"

Margie said...

I don't think that I've ever had sloppy joes. Maybe they aren't as popular north in the border?

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

That could be true, Margie. Was curious about that, so I'm glad you commented.

Lorrie said...

Margie's comment intrigued me because I grew up north of the border (but in the west) and we ate sloppy joes regularly. They were served at young people's gatherings, school cafeterias, and casual church dinners. I haven't made them for years! These look like a delicious update.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Lorrie, thanks for weighing in on that. So far, I have 2 Canadians who've had them and 1 Canadian who hasn't!

janice15 said...

I haven't eaten since my kids were small. Yours looks amazing.. I will have to give it a try.. with love Janice

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Janice. I hope you'll try it soon. Happy Autumn!

TONY said...

Ground meat- minced beef. Burger bun - bap. Sloppy Joe.... we don't have them. Its hard work translating a foreign language into English.
Add some chilli, kidney beans, tomatoes, a beef stock and this is my bolognese sauce, Jean

It sounds very nice. Take no notice of me. All the best, Tony

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Tony, you have my permission to use minced beef and baps and call these sandwiches Untidy Blokes!

Donna Parker said...

Wait, these were for kids? Oops.
Off to share and yum.
Dropped by from #BloggersPitStop and glad I did. :)

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Donna, thank you! We're still kids, right? Shares and yums are much appreciated!

prettyflyforawhitemom said...

Looks delicious!! #bloggerspitstop

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Patricia.

Susan J Meyerott, M.S. said...

I was about to step over this one but the mix of ingredients caught my eye. For some reason I'm into cumin with oregano these days. My daughter just emailed me asking how to make meatloaf...and what to serve with it. I think I'll share this sloppy Joe recipe to tell her to add it to her comfort food list (although I didn't fix them much for the kids). As always you make it look and sound good, Jean!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Sue, thank you so much! I hope your daughter will enjoy it, too. I really like cumin, too, *and* cilantro - I use that stuff like another salad green!

Cocoa and Lavender said...

I know that I'm very behind in reading my friends' posts and commenting, but the timing of this is amazing! We returned home from vacation to a dead refrigerator/freezer. Not exactly what you want to deal with when you're jetlagged… However, one of the few things we were able to save was a pound of ground beef. We made sloppy Joe's! We haven't had them in years, and it sounded fun. Yours sound better because it's a real recipe, so we need to try again. I also love that you make your homemade hamburger buns – I do, as well, and it makes such a difference!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Ohmygoodness, David! I've never had that happen, but I've always expected it. Is that crazy - but I always put ice cubes in the bin before going away so that I can know whether the power was out at some point. My ice cubes have always been intact! Thank you - I do hope you'll give the recipe a try. *I* think it's better than the ones made with "helpers," but you let me know what you think!

Dr. Elise Ho said...

This sounds as if it is a great recipe. I am sure that my son would love it.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks so much, ECH!

csuhpat1 said...

Now, that looks yummy. I will have to try that out. Thanks.

Eclectic Red Barn said...

I have not made sloppy joes in a long time but yours look so yummy, I need to make yours this week.
Stopping by What's For Dinner.
Hugs,
Bev

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, csuhpat1!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Bev. Let me know how you liked them.

Jhuls said...

I love the use of fire roasted tomatoes! Great recipe! Now, I am hungry!😂 Thanks for sharing!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Jhuls! Wish I had one right now!

Dee | GrammysGrid.com said...

I haven't had a sloppy joe in years. Your recipe sounds tasty! Thank you Jean for linking up at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I shared your post on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Grammy Dee. Your social media shares are much appreciated!

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

I just made Sloppy Joe's last week, Jean! I use my late beloved's mother's recipe, but yours looks sooooo tasty! My son that is living here with me would love your version. I must try next time. Thanks for sharing!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Kitty, thanks so much! Do let me know how your son (Mike?) likes it!

Miz Helen said...

Your Sloppy Joes look amazing! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday and come back soon!
Miz Helen

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank *you*, Miz Helen! See you Thursday with another classic!

handmade by amalia said...

This looks delicious, Jean. I've just had lunch and I'm still tempted :-)
Amalia
xo

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Amalia. I could use one for breakfast!

April J Harris said...

Hi Jean, I really enjoyed this post as it brought back some fun memories. I first had Sloppy Joe's at my friend's house and her Mom called them 'Sloppy Sams' as she didn't want to offend my Dad, whose name was Joe! They weren't something we ever ate at our house, but I really liked them. In later years my Mom would occasionally make the canned version, and when I grew up I'd even bring the cans back to the UK. Then I discovered a homemade version and there was no looking back. Love your recipe - it's a bit spicier than mine but it sounds really delcious! Thank you so much for sharing, and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

April, thank you so much for sharing your Sloppy Joe, er, Sam, story with me! That is so cute!

DIY Home Sweet Home said...

Your title cracked me up. I used to hate sloppy joes as a kid but now I love them. lol. These look delicious!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks so much, DIY! Glad you liked the title, too!