Old Fashioned Heinz Ketchup Sloppy Joe Recipe
This old fashioned Heinz ketchup sloppy joe recipe is a delicious comfort food with meat sauce piled onto a bun. Its messy, satisfying, and packed with flavor.
It’s our family’s favorite sloppy joes recipe for an easy dinner on busy nights when there’s not much time to cook. There’s ground beef covered in tomato sauce with Heinz ketchup, a little brown sugar, onions and bell peppers.
The first time I had sloppy joes was when I was a kid. It was my favorite meal to see on the dinner table. When served with French fries, it made it that much better. To this day French fries are my favorite food! What’s your favorite food?
Sloppy Joe History
The origin of the original sloppy Joe recipe is hard to know for sure. However, the first theory is that it was invented in 1917 in Havana. Though the true date of invention isn’t verified. I am sure glad it made its way to Canada!
The 1930s is when the sloppy Joe made it to America and in the 1940s-1970s it became a popular recipe in cookbooks. It was also popular in school lunch cafeterias.
In the 1960’s food businesses started canning sloppy Joe mix because it was so loved and popular. Its now a perfect recipe for family dinners.
Sloppy Joe Sandwich Ingredients
Made with simple ingredients you can easily find at your local grocery store
- lb ground beef- Once browned, make sure to strain off the excess fat.
- Onion- I used a small yellow onion, diced it and fried it with the ground beef and peppers.
- Green pepper- Yellow or red peppers work as well. I prefer red personally so I used that in this recipe.
- Tomato sauce- I used canned tomato sauce that was garlic flavored.
- Ketchup- I used Heinz ketchup, it gives that classic sloppy joes flavor. You can use whatever ketchup you have on hand though.
- Brown sugar- Just a little bit to balance out the flavors.
- Prepared mustard- I used regular yellow mustard to add some kick to the homemade sloppy joe sauce.
- Worcestershire sauce- Used to enhance the flavor. I know some people don’t like it so you are welcome to leave it out of course!
- Salt and black pepper to taste- Enhances the flavor. What’s a meal without salt and pepper? I used cracked pepper.
- Hamburger buns- Soaks up the sloppy joe mixture.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make the best sloppy joes
- Step 1: Mix the sauce ingredients together in a bowl and set it aside.
- Step 2: Cook the beef over medium heat until browned, then strain off the fat.
- Step 3: Return to the heat and add in the onions and peppers. Cook for 5 more minutes or until vegetables are soft.
- Step 4: Add the sauce to the meat mixture and simmer on medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes uncovered.
Step 5: Serve this easy recipe on a hamburger bun. It also tastes great when its on a toasted bun.
Sloppy Joe Toppings
Serve this old school recipe on a hamburger bun with:
- Sliced onions
- Pickles
- Shredded cheddar cheese or sliced cheese
- Sliced tomatoes
- Dash of hot sauce
What to serve with this easy sloppy joe recipe
- Coleslaw
- French fries
- Homemade mac and cheese like this recipe here
- Macaroni or potato salad
- Sweet potato fries
- Potato chips
- Broccoli salad like this recipe here
- Corn on the cob
- Fresh salad
- Potato wedges
- Carrot and celery sticks with ranch dressing for dip
- Onion rings
How to store this old-fashioned sloppy joes recipe
Store the sloppy joe meat mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to allow it to come to room temperature before storing. It tastes great the next day!
Re-heat it either on the stove top on medium low heat or re-heat it in the microwave in intervals making sure to stir at each interval.
To freeze the sloppy joe mixture, either add it to freezer bags or to a freezer-safe container once it comes to room temperature. It can last in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To re-heat from the freezer place it in the fridge to thaw then either heat it on the stove top or in the microwave.
-Enjoy your delicious sloppy joes! Happy cooking!
Old Fashioned Heinz Ketchup Sloppy Joe Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 Tbsp. prepared mustard
- 1 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce optional
- 1 lb ground beef
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1/2 green, yellow or red pepper, diced
- hamburger buns
Instructions
- In a bowl add in the tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar and Worcestershire and mix well. Set aside.
- Brown the beef over medium heat, season with salt and pepper. Strain off the fat once cooked and return to the pan.
- On medium heat still add to the meat, the onions and peppers. Cook for 5 minutes or until vegetables are soft.
- Add the sauce to the meat mixture, mix and simmer for 15-20 minutes with the lid off until sauce thickens.
- Serve on a soft or toasted bun
Notes
Serve It With These Classic Sides :
Looking for sides to go with the sloppy Joe’s? Try these:
