Sloppy Joes for a Crowd

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Meaty, tangy and delicious Sloppy Joes sandwiches are always a great idea to feed a hungry crowd. This family-friendly (and budget-friendly!) easy recipe makes 16 servings in only 30 minutes with simple pantry staples.

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Sloppy Joes are one of my favorite sandwiches! They are easy to make and there are so many ways to tweak the flavor. Homemade Sloppy Joes are also one of the best recipes to make for a large group.

When I was a kid, my 4-H club used to raise money by operating a food stand at local auctions. We always had Sloppy Joes (and hot dogs, of course) as one of our menu options. This recipe was one that we used a lot for these fundraisers. It was created by a friend of our family, and we always called these Gail’s Sloppy Joes.

We’ve not changed the basic recipe much over the years because it’s always such a big hit. Made with simple ingredients, and you can scale it up or down easily as needed. As-is, it makes enough ground beef mixture for 16 sandwiches. But feel free to halve or even double the amount!

Recipe Ingredients

Ground beef. 85-90% lean is best for the most meaty and delicious sandwiches. Ground turkey is also a great substitute.

Onions. White onions have a nice balance of bite of sweetness.

Salt and pepper. A bit of each to taste.

Worcestershire sauce. Adds even more savory and umami flavors.

Flour. To thicken the ground beef mixture.

Ketchup. We suggest low sodium. That way you have more control of the seasonings.

Diced tomatoes. Fresh is best, but canned will do well in a pinch.

Brown mustard. A bit of spicy mustard is a tasty, tangy surprise.

Barbecue sauce. Our not-so-secret ingredient for rich, sweet, and smoky Sloppy Joe sandwiches. I prefer a spicy barbecue sauce in mine.

Cooked savory sloppy joes to feed a crowd. With ketchup and spices, loaded onto a hamburger bun. The sandwich is sitting on a white plate on top of a decorative red and white napkin.

How to Make Sloppy Joes to Feed a Crowd

Cook ground beef and onion together over medium-high heat until beef is brown and onions are translucent. Drain any excess fat.

Skillet with cooked ground beef and onion.

Add salt, pepper and Worcestershire and stir to combine.

Sprinkle flour and stir. Cook on medium heat for 2 minutes.
Add ketchup, tomatoes, mustard and barbecue sauce and stir well to combine. Cook on medium heat until mixture begins to bubble. Reduce heat to low and simmer until you reach your desired consistency.

Sloppy joes beef and tomato mixture cooking in a skillet.

Load the meat onto hamburger buns or spoon over hot dogs. Serve Sloppy Joes warm to your hungry crowd, and get ready for cheers all around!

Plated sloppy joes sandwich on a white plate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Sloppy Joes do you get from a pound of meat?

1 lb of ground beef will yield approximately 5-6 sandwiches. This recipe calls for 3 pounds, which is roughly 15-18 servings, depending on how hefty you like each sandwich to be.

Is Sloppy Joe and Manwich the same thing?

Yes and no. Sloppy Joes is the name of ground beef cooked with ketchup, mustard, and spices. Manwich is a canned version of the ketchup mixture, and is added to the beef after cooking.

What do you put on a Sloppy Joe?

Top the sandwiches with diced white onion, shredded cheese or cheese slices, jalapeno slices, crispy fried onions, tomato slices – just to name a few ideas. Any toppings you typically put on burgers or hot dogs are great on these! For large gatherings, try setting up a fun toppings bar and let folks add their favorites.

What do you eat with Sloppy Joes?

I usually serve wavy potato chips with these because I like to use the chips to scoop up all the bits that fall out of my sandwich! We also like to pair with other barbecue side dishes. Enjoy with baked beans, potato or macaroni salad, or a fresh green salad.

How long do leftovers last?

Leftovers will keep well for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

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