Classic Sloppy Joes
Updated March 18, 2025
- Total Time
- 22 minutes
- Prep Time
- 10 minutes
- Cook Time
- 15 minutes
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
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Ingredients
- 18-ounce can tomato sauce
- ½cup ketchup
- 1½tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
- ½teaspoon dry mustard
- 1teaspoon molasses
- 1garlic clove, finely minced
- ¼teaspoon orange zest
- Pinch of ground cloves
- Hot sauce to taste
- 1pound ground beef
- ½small onion, finely chopped
- 6whole-wheat hamburger buns, toasted if desired
For the Sauce
For the Meat
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)
346 calories; 18 grams fat; 6 grams saturated fat; 1 gram trans fat; 8 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 29 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 10 grams sugars; 18 grams protein; 659 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation
- Step 1
In a saucepan over low heat combine the sauce ingredients. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix well, and simmer while preparing the meat.
- Step 2
Heat a heavy nonstick or cast-iron skillet, at least 10 inches in diameter, over medium-high heat. Add the ground sirloin, and saute, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the meat is no longer pink. Turn the meat into a strainer or colander lined with paper towels, allowing the fat to drain off.
- Step 3
Add the onion to the pan, and sauté, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is translucent. Return the meat to the pan, and add the sauce. Heat for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and season with salt, pepper or more hot sauce, if desired. Spoon ½ cup of the mixture over each bun. Serve immediately.
- This dish freezes well.
Private Notes
Comments
This makes a manageable amt. of sloppy joes, great if you aren't feeding the whole 7th grade! But we all felt the orange peel gave it kind of a weird taste, so after the first try, I've left it out. Like any good Sloppy Joe recipe, it's very forgiving. Honey instead of molasses? Fine! Any kind of mustard, also OK. But don't skip it altogether. Also, chili sauce in place of ketchup? Genius!
1/2 to 1 teaspoon of white vinegar in place of the orange zest provides a good balance for the sweetness in the molasses and ketchup.
Sometimes you need to eat something that you first encountered in the school cafeteria, when you were ravenously hungry. This recipe replicates the sloppy joes of your childhood, with the some added health benefits (low fat and sodium) that in no way detract from the taste. Buy a large bottle of store brand ketchup and double this recipe--freezes well for those evenings when you need comfort food.
Great recipe! I liked the orange zest in it. I did find it to be a bit too watery though, so I ended up reducing it down. I think next time I’ll reduce the sauce more before it’s combined with the beef.
About 1/2 tsp smoked paprika adds a slight depth that graduates it from middle school.
This was delicious! My son-in-law had 3 helpings of it and asked for the recipe. I made it as written, but omitted the orange zest. The only other thing I did was was to make the sauce in a crockpot. After mixing it, I added the cooked meat and onion, stirred it all together and left it on Low for 2+ hours. This allowed me extra time to prep other menu items, and it was nice and hot by dinner time. I also think it allowed the flavors to meld more than they would if cooked right before dinner.