One of my favorite quotes about food comes from Michael Pollan (rule #45, Food Rules): “Eat all the junk food you want as long as you cook it yourself.” That rule, to me, perfectly sums up what a real food lifestyle is all about–taking responsibility for our food.

A (homemade) real food sloppy joe recipe that can be made in under 30 minutes. Real, inexpensive meal idea.

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A real food lifestyle isn’t about fancy ingredients or a restrictive diet. It’s about getting back to the basics of buying (and growing) real ingredients and cooking/preparing our own nourishing meals. Real food is that simple. It’s about taking responsibility for the food we choose to consume, making that food, and enjoying that food.

A (homemade) real food sloppy joe recipe that can be made in under 30 minutes. Real, inexpensive meal idea.

If you want to eat something–a cookie, sloppy joes, pizza, pancakes, a salad–make it yourself. And on those days/nights when you need to go out, find someone/someplace you trust to make it for you, like a favorite local restaurant.

A (homemade) real food sloppy joe recipe that can be made in under 30 minutes. Real, inexpensive meal idea.

Today, let’s put Michael Pollan’s rule into practice, just like we do every week, and make some homemade sloppy joes.

Side Note: I don’t think sloppy joes are junk food, but I think Pollan’s quote can be applied to more than just traditional “junk food.” 

A (homemade) real food sloppy joe recipe that can be made in under 30 minutes. Real, inexpensive meal idea.

This one-skillet, homemade sloppy joe recipe comes together in the same amount of time it takes to make sloppy joes using a can of Manwich (Was anyone else raised on the bright orange and brown cans?), so it’s a great meal to make even on the busiest of nights.

If you want to do some prep in advance, chop the onions and peppers and store them in a container, and then prep the sauce in a separate storage container. Store everything in the fridge. When you’re ready to make the sloppy joes, simply sauté the veggies, brown the meat, and pour the sauce over the mixture.

A (homemade) real food sloppy joe recipe that can be made in under 30 minutes. Real, inexpensive meal idea.

I also recommend spreading butter over the burger buns (Silver Hills Bakery brand is my favorite, or use this homemade recipe) and then place them under the broiler (set on low) until they’re toasted. Serve the sloppy joes on the warm, toasted buns, along with some sauerkraut (so good) and an easy weeknight salad on the side.

30-Minute Homemade Sloppy Joes
4.54 from 13 votes

30-Minute Homemade Sloppy Joes

A (homemade) real food sloppy joe recipe that can be made in under 30 minutes. 
Kristin Marr
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 330 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 TB extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 medium green bell pepper diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 garlic cloves minced

Sloppy Joe Sauce:

Instructions

  • Heat a large skillet with tall sides (this is my skillet, pictured), or a dutch oven, over medium-high heat.
  • Add the oil to the hot skillet, along with the diced onions and peppers. Cook until softened and translucent. Add garlic in the final minute so it doesn’t burn.
  • Push the onions and peppers to the outside of the pan, clearing a spot in the middle. Add the ground beef and cook through. 
  • While the beef is browning, mix the sauce.
  • Add all the sauce ingredients to a mixing bowl (tomato sauce through salt) and stir well to combine. 
  • If there's a lot of fat in the skillet (this will depend on your ground beef), drain the fat before proceeding on...Once the beef is cooked through, stir in the sauce. Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes. I cover the skillet and check on the mixture every few minutes, stirring if needed, to prevent a particular area from burning/sticking. 
  • Serve on fresh buns. I also like to serve these with sauerkraut. 

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 330kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 20gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 329mgPotassium: 426mgSugar: 2gVitamin A: 115IUVitamin C: 14.6mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 2.7mg
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

A (homemade) real food sloppy joe recipe that can be made in under 30 minutes. Real, inexpensive meal idea.

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12 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Made tonight. Family hit! I must say, this is the 4th recipe I’ve tried of yours and all 4 were loved and saved as fav’s!

  2. So delicious! Best sloppy joe recipe I have made. Thank you!! And I love the simple and clean ingredients ☺️

  3. 5 stars
    This is the best sloppy joe recipe, hands down, I’ve ever tried. My neighbors are asking for it and my kids beg me to make it. Thanks so much for sharing. Love so many of your recipes.

  4. Woke up this morning trying to think of what to make with what I have in fridge and *BOOM* here it is. Thank you. ?