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These are an old-fashioned family classic that is part comfort food, part cafeteria staple, and 100% delicious! YES! These Classic Sloppy Joes are the ground beef dinner you’ve been waiting for.
I’m always looking for a new way to use ground beef or even ground turkey. We always seem to have it and it’s so convenient to pull a package out and let it thaw while I rack my brain for something new to make.
Classic Sloppy Joes, while not new, are certainly a nice way to change up the dinner menu. If you haven’t had one since grade school it might be time to try them for dinner tonight.
A Quick Dinner!
And when the family rolls in ready to eat you can count on everyone being happy about dinner, the hungry man-cubs, the hangry teens, the cook, and probably even the dog, if she’s lucky.
Maybe you want to use your instant pot for dinner. Try my EASY Instant Pot Sloppy Joes! If you double the recipe you have enough to feed a huge crowd!
What’s in homemade sloppy joes?
- ground beef
- butter
- garlic powder
- chopped onions
- chopped celery
- red bell pepper
- ketchup
- worcestershire sauce
- quick oats
- water
What if my Sloppy Joes are runny?
That can happen, I mean in a way they’re supposed to be runny. BUT if you’ve found that yours are particularly runny keep cooking them off for a while. They’ll just get thicker and thicker as cook off the moisture.
BUT if you feel they’re not getting thicker add another 1-2 TBSP of quick oats to help thicken them up. Add one Tablespoon and see how it goes. If that’s not enough try another one. Cook well after each addition so you don’t have weird lumps of oats in your filling.
Classic Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 TBSP butter, optional only needed if your beef is very lean
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1/2 small onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup celery, chopped
- 1/2 sweet bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic granules, minced in jars, or dried minced or powder work as well, just adjust amounts to your liking
- 3/4 cup water
- 3 TBSP quick cooking rolled oats, you can use whole regular rolled oats just lay them on the cutting board and chop them with a big knife first
- 8 hamburger buns, toasted if you prefer
Instructions
- melt the butter, if you're using it, in a dutch oven over medium high heat, begin to brown the ground beef, cooking and breaking it up
- after 5 minutes add the onions, celery and peppers, cook about 2 more minutes
- then add the rest of the ingredients through the rolled oats
- bring to a boil then reduce heat, cover and cook for 10 minutes, don't let it burn reduce heat to keep it simmering
- after 10 minutes remove the lid and continue simmering until the sauce is reduced and thickened about 5 minutes, stir as needed
- taste for salt and pepper, add if necessary
- serve on hamburger buns
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Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1 ServingsAmount Per Serving Calories 457Total Fat 21gSaturated Fat 8gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 10gCholesterol 89mgSodium 553mgCarbohydrates 35gFiber 2gSugar 8gProtein 32g
This nutrition information was calculated using a computer program, results may vary.
Classic Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 TBSP butter, optional only needed if your beef is very lean
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1/2 small onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup celery, chopped
- 1/2 sweet bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic granules, minced in jars, or dried minced or powder work as well, just adjust amounts to your liking
- 3/4 cup water
- 3 TBSP quick cooking rolled oats, you can use whole regular rolled oats just lay them on the cutting board and chop them with a big knife first
- 8 hamburger buns, toasted if you prefer
Instructions
- melt the butter, if you're using it, in a dutch oven over medium high heat, begin to brown the ground beef, cooking and breaking it up
- after 5 minutes add the onions, celery and peppers, cook about 2 more minutes
- then add the rest of the ingredients through the rolled oats
- bring to a boil then reduce heat, cover and cook for 10 minutes, don't let it burn reduce heat to keep it simmering
- after 10 minutes remove the lid and continue simmering until the sauce is reduced and thickened about 5 minutes, stir as needed
- taste for salt and pepper, add if necessary
- serve on hamburger buns
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1 ServingsAmount Per Serving Calories 457Total Fat 21gSaturated Fat 8gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 10gCholesterol 89mgSodium 553mgCarbohydrates 35gFiber 2gSugar 8gProtein 32g
This nutrition information was calculated using a computer program, results may vary.
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I don't make them often (now that we are empty nesters) but there is nothing like a GOOD sloppy joe for a quick dinner. GREAT photo!!
That's so true, there is nothing like a good sloppy joe for dinner–so easy and tasty! Thanks : )
this sounds super yummy, I have been known to add corn to mine in order to help stretch the meat
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yes! that’s a good one or even beans-we love that variation.
Bringing me back to my childhood right here!! Pinned!
We love Sloppy Joes, Laura! I have got to make some soon. This recipe has left me with a hankering for some in the worst way! P~
I’ve never thought to use oats as a filler for my sloppy joes. Will have to try this.
Ground beef is so great for its versatility and these sloppy joes sound fab!