Nothing like a good old-fashioned 3-ingredient sloppy joes recipe that the whole family will love. The easy homemade sauce is made of only 2 ingredients and is gluten-free. Together they make this classic ground beef sandwich saucy, sweet, and savory with a bit of tang.
Why this Easy 3-Ingredient Sloppy Joe Recipe is the Best: No need to brown the meat in a skillet like all the other recipes. I will show you how to cook this on the stovetop in a pot so that the sloppy joe meat is tender, soft, & saucy!
I first made this recipe when my kids were young and I realized I forgot to buy the sloppy joe seasoning packet I usually use. With 3 hungry toddlers, heading to the grocery store wasn't an option. The happy improvising is now the only way we make them.
Ok, now we cook!
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Ingredients
This sloppy joe sandwich meat are made without tomato paste/sauce, BBQ sauce, salsa, or any added brown sugar. It's super cheap & budget-friendly because there is no need for extra spending like a can of Manwich.
These simple sloppy joes with ketchup and mustard is already in your fridge!Simple, quick, & delish is the name of the game here. This recipe is one of my favorite ground beef recipes made with few ingredients.
Here are important notes for some ingredients:
- Ground Beef - I recommend 80/20, but leaner ratios or even ground chicken or turkey will work.
- Ketchup - this one item acts as both the tomato sauce base & sweetens it since almost every brand has sugar.
- Mustard - prepared yellow mustard is best but you can also use dijon.
See the recipe card for full list, quantities, & any substitutions/variations.
How to Make Homemade Sloppy Joe Meat
In less than 15 minutes, dinner is on the table. This is made in a pot, not a skillet like other ingredients & this is why this is the best... trust me!
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.
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.
Once the ground beef is broken up it should look like this. It is not pretty, I admit but it will be so good.
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.
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.
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.
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
Serving Suggestions
This delicious recipe is easy to make & economical so make it part of your regular mealtime routine & a back to school recipe favorite.
What to Serve with Sloppy Joes made from scratch : 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.
Recipe Tips & Behind the Scenes
Here's my recipe for success - including what I learned when testing, fun stories, recipe history, and more.
- #1 Tip - make sure to boil the ground meat, it comes out way more moist/tender than frying in a pan.
- Condiment substitutes - use your favorite brands, or try low-sodium, low-sugar, or spicy ketchup or mustard.
- The meat mixture is gluten-free and goes great on your favorite brand of gluten-free buns.
- The low-carb sloppy joe mix is also great in lettuce cups keeping it grain-free & keto-friendly.
- Add dried minced onion to the mix for added flavor, little carbs, & no prep/cutting.
Storing & Reheating
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 or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat, place the meat in a small pot. Warm on medium-low heat on the stove until it is hot.
FAQ
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.
Sloppy Joes go by other slang or regional terms. They include yum yums, slush burgers, dynamites, steamers, loose-meat sandwiches, spoon burgers, tavern sandwiches, or sloppy Janes.
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.
3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes
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
- Place leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheat the meat straight from the fridge (not frozen) in a pot on the stove over medium heat until hot.
Payton says
I will not buy Manwich again. This is cheaper and my boys loved it.
Angela says
Well if that isn't a gold star review I don't know what is! Thanks for the comment.