Spicy Sloppy Joes
Spicy Sloppy Joes are a bold twist on the classic sandwich, featuring seasoned ground beef simmered in a tangy tomato-based sauce with a fiery kick from sriracha sauce. Served on a soft bun, they’re the perfect blend of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors for a satisfying, messy meal!
Sweet and Spicy Sloppy Joes
Oh the memories of eating sloppy joes with my five siblings and parents around the dinner table! Since there were eight of us, Mom had to stretch meals to feed our family. Ground beef and the fixins’ can go a long way.
Other memories of meals we ate as kids include a cheesy ground beef casserole, scalloped potatoes and ham, German pancakes, chicken and sauerkraut, and a big pot of hot dogs and kraut. So as you can see, it was beyond time to share a sloppy Joe recipe. While this one isn’t from Norma Jean, it starts with a simple base that was close to hers.
Why This Recipe Works:
- SPICY – You know I love a spicy kick in many of our recipes. So it should be no surprise that I’d add a healthy dose of sriracha sauce to these sloppy joes! If you don’t love sriracha, try some diced jalapeños instead.
- BIG AND SLOPPY – We’re adding a large spoonful of sloppy joes to soft buns. The messier the better, right?
- COMFORT FOOD – These spicy sloppy joes are comfort food to the max. A little bit spicy and a little bit sweet!
- NOSTALGIC – We grew up eating sloppy joes so this recipe is nostalgic in the sweetest way.
What You’ll Need:
- Olive Oil
- Veggies – a combo of onion and jalapeno
- Ground Beef (90% lean)
- Salt and Pepper
- Yellow Mustard
- Ketchup
- Sriracha Sauce
- Tomato Paste
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Brown Sugar
Pro-Tip: We like to serve our sloppy joes on soft buns with dill pickle slices.
How to make Spicy Sloppy Joes:
Step 1
Brown Beef. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and add diced onions, jalapeños, ground beef, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and cooked through, using a spatula to break up the beef. Stir frequently.
If using beef with a high fat content, you may want to drain it. Otherwise, it’s ok to skip this step.
Step 2
Add remaining ingredients. Then add the yellow mustard, ketchup, sriracha sauce, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Stir well and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook an additional 15-20 minutes, adding water as needed to moisten. (I added between 1/4 – 1/2 cup of water as it cooked.)
Step 3
Serve. Serve spicy sloppy joes on some soft burger buns with slices of dill pickles.
Buns to pair with sloppy joes:
To prevent the buns from getting too soggy, toast the buns and add sloppy Joe mixture right before serving.
- We like to make our Soft Burger Buns (photos below) to pair with these spicy joes! But any soft bun will do nicely.
- Mini Brioche Buns – Shape the buns a little larger to go with this nostalgic recipe.
- Everything Bagel Rolls – This is another delicious bread recipe to use as a base for these sloppy joes. Enjoy!
What to Serve with Spicy Sloppy Joes:
- SALAD – Some of our favorites include Arugula Quinoa Salad, Hearts of Palm Salad, and Goat Cheese Quinoa Salad.
- POTATOES – Serve this classic with Loaded Potato Skins, Mustard Roasted Potatoes, Baked Garlic Home Fries, or Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes.
- VEGGIES – We love adding some greens, including Teriyaki Brussels Sprouts, Crispy Parmesan Brussels Sprouts, or Roasted Asparagus with Prosciutto.
Recipe FAQs:
To make these spicier, add any combo of red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, jalapeños, fresh serranos, or habaneros.
Yes, the flavors improve as the sauce sits. Store the mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat before serving.
Yes, let it cool completely and store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat on the stovetop or microwave before serving.
Toast the buns lightly and serve the sloppy joe mixture immediately after assembling. You can also spread a thin layer of butter or mayonnaise on the buns as a barrier.
Other Delicious Sandwich Recipes:
There is nothing better than a sandwich! Try one of the following recipes next.
Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)
xoxo ~Sue
Spicy Sloppy Joes Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup white onion – diced
- 1/2 cup bell pepper (any color) – diced
- 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup sriracha sauce
- 2 Tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1-2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- sandwich buns and pickles – to serve
Instructions
- Brown Beef. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and add diced onions, jalapeños, ground beef, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and cooked through, using a spatula to break up the beef. Stir frequently.If using beef with a high fat content, you may want to drain it. Otherwise, it's ok to skip this step.
- Add remaining ingredients. Then add the yellow mustard, ketchup, sriracha sauce, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Stir well and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook an additional 15-20 minutes, adding water as needed to moisten. (I added between 1/4 – 1/2 cup of water as it cooked.)
- Serve. Serve spicy sloppy joes on some soft burger buns with slices of dill pickles.
Notes
- To prevent the buns from getting too soggy, toast the buns and add sloppy Joe mixture right before serving.
- Store leftover sloppy Joe mixture in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To freeze, let sloppy joes cool completely and store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat on the stovetop or microwave before serving.