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3 Ingredient Sloppy Joes

You probably already have all you need to create sloppy joes from scratch and you’ll be amazed by how much better they are than any premade sloppy joe mix! Have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes with these quick and easy 3 Ingredient Sloppy Joes.

Close up of a 3 ingredients sloppy joe sandwich served on a sesame seed bun with seasoned fries on the plate.

Sloppy Joes are such a nostalgic, classic family meal. Meaty, saucy and ready in less than 30 minutes–What’s not to love?

If you’ve never made sloppy joes from scratch, you really are missing out. Sure, it’s easy to open up some sloppy joe mix from a can or package or to toss a package of seasoning into some ground beef… but sloppy joes are truly simple to make! And honestly the homemade version tastes so much better than any pre-packaged mix. 

That’s why this meal has stood the test of time. It’s simple, budget-friendly and can be on the table quickly for a last minute meal. It’s the perfect recipe to keep on hand for those nights when you really don’t want to cook but you have to anyway.

This 3 Ingredient Sloppy Joe Recipe really simplifies this dish for those who want to make it fast but it also gives a great foundation to build off to make your homemade sloppy joes your own. If you’re looking for the perfect mix of easy, fast and customizable, this recipe should be your go-to!

Why Make This Recipe

  1. 3 Ingredients: You may have everything you need for this sloppy joe recipe without even taking a trip to the store. There are just three ingredients in the sauce!
  2. Use Your Time Wisely: This is a great last minute meal idea! The meat and sauce cook up in minutes and you can spend the rest of your time prepping whatever you want to serve with it!
  3. Enjoy a Classic Taste: Sloppy Joes are an American classic. Bring a touch of nostalgia to dinner by serving up some sloppy joes.

What Do You Need to Make This Recipe

Ingredients shown are used to prepare 3 ingredient sloppy joes.
  1. Ground Beef: Ground beef is the heart of sloppy joes. You can use any fat ratio you prefer, but if the oil is excessive, be sure to drain the fat before you add in the sauce.
  2. Ketchup: Ketchup is a key ingredient for sloppy joes. It gives the sauce a slightly sweet tomato taste that pairs perfectly with the flavor of the beef.
  3. Mustard: Mustard gives your sloppy joes some savory balance.
  4. Mayochup: You can use mayonnaise and ketchup as a substitute if you don’t have mayochup on hand. 

Tools

  1. Medium Sized pan

How to Make This Recipe

Step One: Brown the Beef

In a medium-sized pan, brown the ground beef. Then drain the fat. 

Step Two: Add the Sauce

Cooked ground beef seasoned with 2 ingredients.

Add the mayo, ketchup, and mustard. Mix until a sauce forms. Allow the sauce to simmer for a few minutes until the flavors blend. Add salt to taste. 

Step Three: Assemble

Assemble Sloppy Joes on hamburger buns in addition to any other desired toppings. Enjoy! 

Expert Tips

Two plates of 3 ingredient sloppy joe sandwiches and a serving of seasoned crispy fries with a small bowl of ketchup on the side.
  • Most sloppy joe recipes call for brown sugar in the sauce. I felt like the ketchup alone made the sauce sweet enough, but if you prefer your meat mixture a little sweeter, add a tablespoon of brown sugar to the mix.
  • Be sure and drain the fat well before adding in your sauce ingredients. If you do not drain your fat your sauce will end up too greasy.
  • The only way to serve anything on a bun is to toast the bun first. It makes such a huge difference!

Recipe Variations

This recipe is so simple but that simplicity makes it very versatile.

  • Add some vegetables: This recipe is great with some onions, green peppers or red bell peppers. You could even add some mushrooms, carrots or spinach!
  • Add some flavor: A dash of worcestershire sauce, garlic or barbeque sauce would go well with this recipe and add another layer of flavor to the dish.
  • Add some spice: A little bit of cayenne, red pepper flakes or hot sauce would add a lovely little spice to the mix.
  • Add some sweet: A tablespoon of brown sugar is a welcome addition to a classic sloppy joe sauce
  • Switch up the protein: You don’t have to only use ground beef for sloppy joes. You could use ground turkey, ground chicken, ground pork or even sausage. I would recommend still using at least half the beef because the flavor will change dramatically depending on the meat you use.

How to Serve Sloppy Joes

Plate of fries and a sesame topped bun filled with 3 ingredient sloppy joes, ready to enjoy.

Sloppy Joes are typically served as a main dish, piled high on a bun. This meaty meal works great with a wide variety of sides. I recommend serving sloppy joes with:

FAQs

Can I Make This Sloppy Joe Mix Ahead of Time?

This is a great make ahead meal. You can make this recipe and put it in the refrigerator or freezer until you are ready to use. 

You can store this meat mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave to serve.

You can also freeze in an airtight container and thaw in the refrigerator the night before you want to use it. For a super quick meal, freeze individual servings of the mixture and thaw as needed.

You can also double this 3 Ingredient Sloppy Joe Recipe to feed a crowd or enjoy some now and save some for later! This is also a great meal to share with a neighbor who could use some extra love. It doesn’t take any extra effort on your part!

Additional Ways to Use Sloppy Joe Mix

This sloppy joe mix doesn’t have to be served just on a bun. There are plenty of ways to enjoy some saucy meat.

You could make this meal low carb by serving the meat over cauliflower rice or a fresh salad. It goes great with romaine lettuce and the sauce is a flavorful dressing. 

You could also make sloppy joe bowls. Serve the meat mixture over some rice with spinach or steamed broccoli.

This meat mixture also tastes great stuffed inside a baked potato or baked sweet potato. Top it with cheese and onions and you’ve got a whole new meal to enjoy!

Did you enjoy this recipe for 3 Ingredient Sloppy Joes? If so, make sure to check out these other recipes I picked out just for you: 

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Close up on 3 ingredient sloppy joes served on a sesame seed bun with crispy french fries alongside it.

3 Ingredient Sloppy Joes

You probably already have all you need to create sloppy joes from scratch and you’ll be amazed by how much better they are than any premade sloppy joe mix! Have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes with these quick and easy 3 Ingredient Sloppy Joes.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 393kcal

Equipment

  • Medium Sized pan

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • ¼ cup mayochup, instead you can split this into 2 tbsp of mayo + 2 tbsp of ketchup
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp mustard
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  • In a medium-sized pan, brown the 1 lb ground beef. Then drain the fat.
  • Add the 1/4 cup mayo, 2 tbsp ketchup, and 1 tbsp mustard. Mix until a sauce forms. Allow the sauce to simmer for a few minutes until the flavors blend. Add salt to taste.
  • Assemble Sloppy Joes on hamburger buns in addition to any other desired toppings. Enjoy!

Notes

Recipe copyright The Domestic Spoon. For educational or personal use only.
  • Ground Beef: Ground beef is the heart of sloppy joes. You can use any fat ratio you prefer, but if the oil is excessive, be sure to drain the fat before you add in the sauce.
  • Ketchup: Ketchup is a key ingredient for sloppy joes. It gives the sauce a slightly sweet tomato taste that pairs perfectly with the flavor of the beef.
  • Mustard: Mustard gives your sloppy joes some savory balance.
  • Mayochup: You can use mayonnaise and ketchup as a substitute if you don’t have mayochup on hand.
  • Most sloppy joe recipes call for brown sugar in the sauce. I felt like the ketchup alone made the sauce sweet enough, but if you prefer your meat mixture a little sweeter, add a tablespoon of brown sugar to the mix.
  • Be sure and drain the fat well before adding in your sauce ingredients. If you do not drain your fat your sauce will end up too greasy.
  • The only way to serve anything on a bun is to toast the bun first. It makes such a huge difference!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 393kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 274mg | Potassium: 336mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 2mg
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