Name: Pioneer woman sloppy joes with ground beef
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ lbs ground beef; 1 medium onion, finely diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 green bell pepper, finely diced (optional); 1 cup ketchup; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 2 tbsp brown sugar; 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 tsp mustard (yellow or Dijon); 1 tsp chili powder (optional); ½ cup beef broth or water; 1 tbsp olive oil or butter; Salt and black pepper, to taste; 6 hamburger buns, toasted; Pickles or shredded cheese, for serving (optional)

The Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joes with Ground Beef is a classic American comfort food that never goes out of style. With juicy ground beef simmered in a sweet, tangy, and savory sauce, these sandwiches are messy, delicious, and perfect for family dinners. They’re quick to prepare, ready in under 30 minutes, and always a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults.

The flavor profile combines the richness of ground beef with ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and spices, creating a bold and satisfying filling. Piled high on soft hamburger buns and served with fries, coleslaw, or pickles, sloppy joes are the ultimate casual meal.

A Quick Glimpse at Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joes with Ground Beef

This recipe is hearty, saucy, and full of flavor. Ground beef is cooked with onions and garlic, then simmered in a tomato-based sauce that’s slightly sweet and tangy. The mixture is spooned over toasted buns, making a quick and affordable dinner option that’s as nostalgic as it is delicious.

Other Pioneer Woman Recipes

Why This Recipe is Worth Trying

Fast and easy – Ready in just 25–30 minutes.
Family-friendly – Kids love the saucy, flavorful filling.
Budget-friendly – Uses simple, affordable ingredients.
Make-ahead option – Tastes even better the next day.
Customizable – Easily adapted with extra spices or veggies.

Essential Ingredients for This Recipe

1 ½ lbs ground beef
1 medium onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, finely diced (optional)
1 cup ketchup
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp mustard (yellow or Dijon)
1 tsp chili powder (optional, for spice)
½ cup beef broth or water
1 tbsp olive oil or butter
Salt and pepper, to taste
6 hamburger buns (toasted)
Pickles or shredded cheese (optional toppings)

Directions to Make Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joes with Ground Beef

Cook the beef: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
Sauté vegetables: Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper to the skillet. Cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes.
Build the sauce: Stir in ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, chili powder, and broth. Mix well to combine.
Simmer: Reduce heat and let the mixture simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
Toast buns: Lightly toast hamburger buns for extra flavor and sturdiness.
Assemble sandwiches: Spoon the beef mixture generously onto buns. Add pickles or cheese if desired. Serve hot.

What I Got Wrong (And How I Fixed It)

Too runny – I added too much broth. Letting it simmer longer thickened the sauce.
Too sweet – Too much brown sugar made it overpowering. Reducing the sugar balanced the flavors.
Bland taste – The first time, I skipped mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Adding both gave the sauce its signature tang.

Unexpected Ways to Enjoy This Dish

Over-baked potatoes – Use the beef mixture as a topping for loaded potatoes.
As a pizza topping – Spread over pizza dough with cheese for a fun twist.
With pasta – Stir into cooked pasta for a quick sloppy joe pasta.
In quesadillas – Sandwich the filling with cheese in a tortilla and grill.

Best Tips for Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joes with Ground Beef Success

Toast the buns – Prevents sogginess and adds flavor.
Simmer long enough – Ensures the sauce thickens and clings to the meat.
Use lean beef – Keeps the filling from being too greasy.
Taste and adjust – Balance sweetness, tang, and spice to your liking.
Double the batch – This recipe freezes well for quick future meals.
Add vegetables – Carrots or zucchini can be finely grated and added for extra nutrition.

Tasty Twists on Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joes with Ground Beef

Spicy version – Add hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or jalapeños.
BBQ style – Swap ketchup for BBQ sauce for a smoky flavor.
Cheesy sloppy joes – Stir shredded cheddar directly into the mixture.
Turkey sloppy joes – Use ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter option.
Open-faced style – Serve on toasted bread with melted cheese under the broiler.

Best Ways to Store Your Sloppy Joe Filling

Refrigerator – Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer – Freeze portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
Keep buns separate – Store filling and bread separately to avoid sogginess.

Ways to Warm It Up Again

Stovetop method – Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Microwave method – Heat in short intervals, stirring between each one.
From frozen – Warm slowly in a skillet with a splash of water or broth until heated through.

Nutritional Breakdown (per serving, with bun)

Calories: ~380
Protein: 25g
Carbohydrates: 34g
Fat: 15g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 9g

Pioneer woman sloppy joes with ground beef

Print Recipe

This recipe is hearty, saucy, and full of flavor. Ground beef is cooked with onions and garlic, then simmered in a tomato-based sauce that’s slightly sweet and tangy. The mixture is spooned over toasted buns, making a quick and affordable dinner option that’s as nostalgic as it is delicious.

Author: Anabelle
Prep Time: 10
Cook Time: 20
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Skillet
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

1 ½ lbs ground beef
1 medium onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, finely diced (optional)
1 cup ketchup
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp mustard (yellow or Dijon)
1 tsp chili powder (optional)
½ cup beef broth or water
1 tbsp olive oil or butter
Salt and black pepper, to taste
6 hamburger buns, toasted

Pickles or shredded cheese, for serving (optional)

Instructions

Brown the beef – Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef, cook until browned, and drain excess fat.
Cook vegetables – Stir in onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
Make the sauce – Add ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, chili powder, and broth. Stir until combined.
Simmer the mixture – Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes until thickened.
Toast buns – Lightly toast the hamburger buns to prevent sogginess.
Assemble & serve – Spoon beef mixture onto buns, add pickles or cheese if desired, and serve hot.

FAQs

Can I make sloppy joes ahead of time?

Yes, the filling can be made 1–2 days ahead. Store it in the fridge, then reheat on the stovetop before serving. The flavor often improves after sitting overnight.

What can I serve with sloppy joes?

Classic sides include French fries, potato chips, coleslaw, pickles, or even a simple green salad. For a hearty meal, serve with baked beans or mac and cheese.

Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?

Absolutely. Ground turkey or chicken makes a leaner version of sloppy joes, though you may want to add a little extra seasoning for richness.

How do I thicken sloppy joe filling if it’s too runny?

Simply let it simmer uncovered for a few more minutes until the sauce reduces. You can also stir in a small spoonful of tomato paste to thicken quickly.

Wrapping It Up

The Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joes with Ground Beef is a timeless recipe that’s quick, delicious, and perfect for busy nights. With its rich, tangy sauce and hearty beef filling, it’s a dish that both kids and adults can enjoy together. Serve it with fries, chips, or a simple salad, and you’ve got a meal that’s as comforting as it is satisfying.

Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joes with Ground Beef