Go Back
Finished Sloppy Joes

Seriously the BEST Sloppy Joes recipe!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Rise time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings
Calories 443 kcal

Ingredients
  

Buns

  • 2 cups warm water
  • 1/8 cup honey
  • 1 1/2 tsp yeast
  • 1/8 cup oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 5-6 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds (opt.)

Sloppy Joe Mix

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 3/4 tsp seasoning salt
  • 1 6oz can tomato paste
  • 1 8oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups water+2tsp
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 2 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp brown sugar
  • 3/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp molasses
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp dried minced onions
  • 4 tbsp ketchup
  • 4 tbsp BBQ sauce
  • 1 tbsp mustard
  • 1/2 tsp Worcestershire

Instructions
 

Buns

  • Combine the water, honey, and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Let rest 10 minutes, to bloom.
  • When yeast is ready, add salt, garlic powder, and oil to the yeast mixture, giving it a good stir.
  • Add 5 cups of flour to the yeast mixture, kneading the dough together. Add more flour as needed. You don’t want the dough to stick to your finger when pressed.
  • Continue to knead for 5-7 minutes, then cover and let rest about an hour(or until doubled in size).
  • Shape dough into small evenly-sized spheres, you should get roughly 13. Cover buns with a layer of plastic wrap or parchment paper and place a baking sheet on top of the buns. This will add weight, keeping the tops more flat, like a burger bun.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  • Let rest another hour, until risen, keeping in mind these will be more rounded on the sides and flat on top when done rising.
  • Once buns have risen, baste with egg wash, sprinkle with sesame seeds, then place them in the oven and bake for 12-14 minutes, until golden brown on top.

Sloppy Joe Mix

  • Line a plate with paper towels, and place a colander on the paper towels. Set aside.
  • In a frying pan, add the ground beef and seasoning salt. Cook fully, breaking the meat up as it cooks. Strain in the colander and set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan, add tomato paste, tomato sauce, 1 1/2 cups water, milk, salt, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, whisking together.
  • Over med. heat, continue whisking ingredients while they heat up. The tomato paste will mix in better as the mixture gets warmer.
  • In a small bowl, combine the remaining 2tsp water and 2tsp cornstarch.
  • When the mixture is heated through thoroughly, whisk in the cornstarch and water mixture.
  • Place the pan on the stovetop over medium heat, and simmer a few minutes more, allowing the mixture to slightly thicken. Once it thickens a little, remove the pan from the heat.
  • Pour the ground beef back into the frying pan and mix in 2 1/4 cups of the tomato sauce mixture.
  • Add in BBQ sauce, Worcestershire, ketchup, mustard, molasses, and dried minced onions.
  • Place back on the stovetop and turn heat to med/low. Simmer 5 minutes, to let the flavors meld together, then serve on homemade buns and enjoy!

Notes

  • The sauce for this recipe makes enough for 2 meals. Use 2 1/4 cup in 2lbs of ground beef and freeze the other 2 1/4 cup sauce, OR use all of it in 4lbs ground beef.
  • This recipe freezes well.
Keyword Meaty, Savory, Sloppy