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    Home » Main Dishes

    Published: Oct 22, 2022 · Modified: Jan 23, 2023 by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes (Gluten-Free)

    Jump to Recipe

    Nothing like a good old-fashioned 3-ingredient sloppy joes recipe that the whole family will love. The easy homemade sloppy joe sauce is made of only 2 ingredients and is gluten-free. Together they make this classic sandwich saucy, sweet, and savory with a bit of tang.

    This delicious recipe is easy to make & economical so make it part of your regular mealtime routine. This goes great with any number of the best sloppy joe side dishes to have a complete meal. All that is left is to cook up some fries in the air fryer and enjoy.

    Plated with cheese on top.

    I first made this recipe when my kids were young and I realized I forgot to buy the sloppy joe packet I usually use. With 3 hungry small kids, heading to the grocery store didn't sound fun. So I improvised. There is a lot of flavor with just a few ingredients and you will agree it is the best sloppy joe recipe around.

    Since my kids, like most, practically live off ketchup I started there. I added some mustard since I didn't want it too sweet and that was just the thing. It was a hit. My daughter is such a fan of this recipe we actually call them "Sloppy Mileys" at our house!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make the Best Sloppy Joes
    • Top tip
    • Topping Ideas for Sloppy Joes
    • Substitutions & Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • FAQ
    • 3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes (Gluten-Free)

    I love making simple recipes homemade instead of using a product like Manwich. This recipe tastes way better than Manwich. Plus its only 3 ingredients that allow me to can control what I am eating.

    For instance, this sloppy joe recipe is grain-free, high-protein, low-carb, and low in sodium Whereas Manwich is not certified gluten-free. Not the mention all the other "stuff" in that can.

    Ingredients

    Since there are a few ingredients in this ground beef recipe, there is not much to be surprised by with this recipe. These sloppy joes are made without tomato paste, sauce, or any added sugar.

    This recipe is made with ketchup which is the tomato and sugar portion of a classic sloppy joe. Simple, quick, & delish is the name of the game here. This recipe is one of my favorite ground beef recipes made with few ingredients.

    You can use any fat-to-meat ratio of ground beef for this recipe. Because the meat is boiled, the fat will be cooked out without drying it out. So use your favorite.

    I am using the free ground beef I get every month in my ButcherBox. This was part of my new subscriber deal when I joined years ago and it sure has been a tasty deal. Find out what ButcherBox is offering now for new members & discover the high-quality grass-fed beef that is less expensive than what you find in grocery stores.

    ButcherBox logo image and link to buy.
    Ingredients on a table.
    • Ground Beef
    • Ketchup
    • Yellow Mustard

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    How to Make the Best Sloppy Joes

    The recipe for 3-Ingredient sloppy joes is so easy. In less than 15 minutes, dinner is on the table.

    Most recipes for sloppy joes start off with browning the meat. Not here. Browning the meat is not the best way to cook ground beef. Surprised?

    For the most tender and finely crumbled ground beef, boiling is the way to go. That will be the first step for making slopping joes, boil the ground beef.

    Adding water to a pot with ground beef in it.

    In a medium pot, add the ground beef & cover with 1-2 inches of water. Break up the meat in the water using a wooden spoon or spatula.

    Ground beef in a pot covered with water and a wooden spatula breaking it apart.

    Once the ground beef is broken up it should look like this. It is not pretty, I admit but it will be so good.

    Ground beef done boiling in a pot with fine pieces on a wooden spoon.

    Bring the meat and water to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it is boiling, turn it down to a low simmer. Let cook until all the meat is brown, about 3 minutes.

    Ground beef in the pot cooked and a spoon showing finely ground pieces.

    Drain the meat in a colander with fine openings. Return the meat to the pot.

    Now it is time to add the sauce ingredients. Add in 1 cup of ketchup and ¼ a cup of yellow mustard. Keep the heat on low and let it heat through for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.

    Ground beef in a pot with ketchup and mustard added to make 3-ingredient sloppy joes.

    Top tip

    If you like a saucier sloppy joe, add ½ a cup of water when adding the ketchup and mustard. Let it simmer for longer to make the sauce that will thicken up as it cooks.

    Once the meat is ready, use a small spoon to do a taste test. Add optional salt & pepper to taste if desired. I find the ketchup and mustard add enough salt and flavor that it is not needed.

    Toast up some hamburger buns or your favorite rolls. Add the sloppy joe meat to each bun. Have fun adding toppings (ideas listed below) for a mega tasty sloppy joe sandwich that is just how you like it.

    Sloppy joe meat ready in the pot on the stove.

    Topping Ideas for Sloppy Joes

    Sloppy joes are great as they are with the rich meat in sauce and a toasted bun. But add some additional toppings or some great side dishes and the simple meal becomes even better.

    Here are some good ideas for what to put on top of your loose meat sandwich for more flavor. Choose one or more of these topping ideas.

    • Shredded Cheese
    • Chopped raw onions
    • Pickled onions
    • Coleslaw
    • Dill or sweet pickles
    • Raw or pickled sliced jalapenos
    • Hot sauce
    • Sliced avocado
    3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes (Gluten-Free) On a bun with shredded cheese and chopped onions to the side for topping.

    Substitutions & Variations

    With only 3 ingredients one might think there are no substitutions or changes that can be made. This is a versatile recipe believe it or not. You can use poultry as a protein instead of beef. Also with a few changes, make this a low-carb, sugar-free, or low-sodium sloppy joe.

    • Ketchup - use a low-sodium or sugar-free ketchup for a healthier option
    • Yellow Mustard - use dijon mustard for a spicy kick
    • Ground Beef - use ground chicken or turkey for a healthier option - just know it will be drier & most as juicy or moist as when using beef (I have not tried this with any plant-based items like tofu or beyond-meat)
    • Onion - add 1 tablespoon of dried minced onions to the ground beef while boiling. It adds flavor and texture.

    This recipe is already dairy-free and gluten-free. Enjoy this homemade sloppy joe meat on your favorite gluten-free roll, bun, or bread.

    3-ingredient sloppy joe plated with a beer and a bowl of cheese in the background.

    Equipment

    The meat for these sloppy joes is not cooked in a skillet. It is cooked in a medium-sized sauce pot. You will need a pot and a colander to make this recipe. Here are the ones I recommend plus some great kitchen tools that every home cook should have.

    The Short Order Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. This helps with the costs of running the blog. Thank you!  

    3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes (Gluten-Free) On a bun with shredded cheese and chopped onions to the side for topping.

    Storage

    Store the meat separately from any toppings or buns you may use. Place the leftover meat in an air-tight container. Store in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

    Sloppy joe meat freezes well. Place any prepared meat in an air-tight Ziploc bag. Press all the air out of it before sealing. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator for 1-2 days before reheating.

    To reheat, place the meat in a small pot. Warm on medium-low heat on the stove until it is hot.

    FAQ

    What is the difference between Manwich & sloppy joes?

    Both are a term people use interchangeably for sloppy joe meat. Manwich is a commercial brand that is canned and sold in stores. It is a ready-made sauce to add to ground meat to make sloppy joes. Sloppy joes is the general term for the recipe.

    What are other names for a sloppy Joe?

    Besides the brand name Manwich, sloppy Joes go by other slang or terms. They include yum yums, slush burgers, dynamites, steamers, loose-meat sandwiches, spoon burgers, tavern sandwiches, or sloppy Janes.

    How to make a sloppy joe fancy?

    This simple recipe is a great start to making a fancy sloppy joe sandwich. This recipe can be elevated in several ways for a gourmet or fancy twist on a classic American sandwich. Here are some fun ideas:

    Serve it on a fancy roll or bread like brioche, croissant, or baguette. Also, add fancy toppings like a poached or fried egg, drizzle with cheese fondue, or fried onion strings.

    A big sloppy joe covered in cheese on a bun.
    Sloppy joe meat on a bun with cheese plated and ready to eat.

    3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes (Gluten-Free)

    Angela
    This easy homemade sloppy joe sauce is made of only 3 ingredients. Together they make this classic sandwich saucy, sweet, and savory with a bit of tang. There is a lot of flavor with just a few ingredients.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 12 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6

    Equipment

    • sauce pot
    • colander

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound ground beef
    • 1 cup ketchup
    • ¼ cup yellow mustard
    • ½ cup water optional - for a saucier sloppy joe
    • salt & pepper optional - to taste

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium pot, add the ground beef & cover with 1-2 inches of water. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break the meat apart.
    • Turn the stove to medium-high heat to bring the meat and water to a boil.
    • Once it is boiling, turn it down to low so it will simmer. Let the meat cook until all the pieces are brown, about 3 minutes.
    • Drain the meat in a colander with fine openings. Return the meat to the pot.
    • Add in 1 cup of ketchup and ¼ a cup of yellow mustard. Keep the heat on low and let it heat through for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
    • Taste test the meat. Add optional salt & pepper to taste. I find the ketchup and mustard add enough salt and flavor that it is not needed.
    • Spoon over toasted hamburger buns or rolls to serve. Top with any of the suggested ideas shared above. Enjoy.

    Notes

    Nutrition Facts
    Servings: 6
    Amount per serving  
    Calories 177
    % Daily Value*
    Total Fat 5.2g 7%
    Saturated Fat 1.8g 9%
    Cholesterol 68mg 23%
    Sodium 502mg 22%
    Total Carbohydrate 8.1g 3%
    Dietary Fiber 0.4g 2%
    Total Sugars 6.9g  
    Protein 23.9g  
    Vitamin D 0mcg 0%
    Calcium 12mg 1%
    Iron 15mg 81%
    Potassium 433mg 9%
    *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.
    Keyword 3-ingredient, dairy-free, easy, high-protein, kid favorite, low carb, quick, simple
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Payton says

      October 24, 2022 at 6:59 pm

      5 stars
      I will not buy Manwich again. This is cheaper and my boys loved it.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        October 25, 2022 at 7:25 pm

        Well if that isn't a gold star review I don't know what is! Thanks for the comment.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Angela I’m Angela, a petite mom that loves to cook, eat, drink, & explore all things food. I have been cooking since I could pull up a stool to finally reach the counter. I still rely on my trusty stool every day. I am a former personal chef turned blogger that hopes you find something new & tasty to love while you are here.

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