This Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joes Recipe is a classic and savory recipe, which is made with ground beef and ketchup. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, ready in about 40 minutes.
Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joes Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. butter, plus more for buttering rolls
- 2 1/2 lb. ground beef
- 1/2 large onion, diced
- 1 large green bell pepper, diced
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups ketchup
- 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 2 tsp. chili powder, plus more to taste
- 1 tsp. dry mustard
- 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes, plus more to taste
- 1 cup water
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 Tbsp. tomato paste (optional)
- Worcestershire sauce, to taste
- Tabasco sauce, to taste (optional)
- 8 Kaiser rolls
- Kettle cooked potato chips, for serving
How To Make Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joes
- Brown the beef: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until it is fully browned. Drain off most of the excess fat.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for a few minutes, stirring, until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Simmer the sauce: Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, chili powder, dry mustard, red pepper flakes, and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for at least 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Adjust seasonings: Add salt, pepper, and optional additions like tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, or Tabasco to taste. Stir well and adjust any seasonings as needed.
- Toast the buns and serve: Spread butter on the inside of the Kaiser rolls and toast them on a hot griddle or in a skillet until golden brown. Spoon a generous amount of the meat mixture onto the bottom buns and serve immediately with kettle cooked chips.

Recipe Tips
- How do I get the best flavor? Don’t rush the simmer. Letting the sauce cook for at least 15 minutes is key to letting the flavors deepen and develop.
- How do I prevent a soggy bun? Toasting the buttered buns is essential. It creates a slight barrier that helps prevent the bun from getting soggy from the sauce and adds a delicious crunch.
- Can I use different meat? Yes, this recipe works great with ground turkey or ground chicken for a leaner option.
- How can I thicken the sauce if it’s too thin? If your sauce is too watery, let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to allow some of the liquid to evaporate. The optional tomato paste also helps to thicken the consistency.
What To Serve With Sloppy Joes
While kettle chips are a classic pairing, these also go great with:
- Creamy coleslaw
- Dill pickle spears
- Macaroni and cheese
- A simple side salad
- Tater tots or french fries
How To Store Sloppy Joes
- Refrigerate: Store the leftover meat mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. It’s a great recipe for meal prep as the flavor gets even better the next day.
- Freeze: Let the meat cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Sloppy Joes Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 32g
- Fat: 26g
- Sodium: 980mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely. The sloppy joe mixture can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge. It reheats beautifully on the stovetop, making it perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Is this recipe spicy?
It has a very mild kick from the red pepper flakes and chili powder. You can easily adjust the heat by reducing or increasing the amount of red pepper flakes, or by adding a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.
What is the best ground beef to use?
A lean ground beef like 85/15 or 90/10 works well because it provides great flavor without creating excessive grease that you have to drain off.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Stuffed Mushrooms Sausage Cream Cheese Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Sausage and Potato Soup Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Sausage and Gnocchi Recipe
Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joes Recipe
Description
A classic, sweet and tangy homemade sloppy joe recipe, simmered to perfection and served on buttery, toasted buns for the ultimate family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large skillet; brown the ground beef and drain off most of the fat.
- Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic; cook until softened.
- Stir in ketchup, brown sugar, chili powder, dry mustard, red pepper flakes, and water.
- Simmer the mixture for 15 minutes to allow flavors to combine.
- Season to taste with salt, pepper, and optional sauces.
- Butter and toast the Kaiser rolls on a griddle.
- Spoon the meat mixture onto the toasted buns and serve immediately.
Notes
- u003cliu003eToasting the buttered buns is a crucial step to prevent them from becoming soggy and adds great texture.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eDraining the fat after browning the beef will result in a less greasy final product.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFeel free to adjust the brown sugar and red pepper flakes to make the sloppy joes sweeter, spicier, or more savory to suit your taste.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThe optional tomato paste adds a wonderful depth of flavor and helps thicken the sauce.u003c/liu003e
