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    Home » Easy Recipes » Sandwiches

    Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe - 3 Ingredients

    Published: Apr 13, 2025 · Modified: Apr 13, 2025 by Susan Moncrieff · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This easy 3 ingredient sloppy Joe recipe is one of my go-to dinners when I need something fast, filling, and budget-friendly. It's made with just ground beef, ketchup, and brown sugar - plus an optional splash of Worcestershire sauce for a savory boost.

    Finished 3 ingredient sloppy Joe on a bun with a red pot in the background, showing the saucy beef filling.

    Perfect for busy weeknights, picky eaters, or anytime you want a no-fuss, no-chop meal that still tastes great.

    Other simple and delicious hamburger based meals include this Easy Onion Soup Meatloaf and this Quick and Healthy Hamburger Soup. Sometimes I forget that ground beef isn't always used for hamburgers!

    Table of contents

    • Why I Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Recipe Tips
    • Optional Add-Ins (if you want to go beyond 3 ingredients)
    • Storage
    • Other Hamburger Based Meals
    • Printable Recipe Card

    Why I Love This Recipe

    It only takes 15 minutes from start to finish.

    You don't need to chop a single thing—just stir and simmer.

    It’s a perfect beginner recipe and great for teens learning to cook.

    Leftovers reheat beautifully, making it a good meal prep option too.

    Ingredients

    This is such a simple three ingredient Sloppy Joe mixture! Other optional add-ins are suggested in the Recipe Tips section further down.

    3 ingredient sloppy Joes recipe includes hamburger, hamuburger buns ketchup, brown sugar and optional Worcestershire sauce.

    1.25 pounds ground beef – Using the prepackaged size most grocery stores sell now.
    ¾ cup ketchup – Any brand works, but I usually grab whatever I have on hand.
    2 tablespoons brown sugar – Light or dark is fine, depending on what’s in your pantry.
    Optional: 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce – Adds a little savory depth, but totally optional.

    Instructions

    Step 1
    In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, about 8-10 minutes. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. If there’s a lot of grease, drain it off before moving on.

    Step 2
    Add the ketchup and brown sugar directly into the skillet with the cooked beef. Stir to combine.

    sloppy joes process shot. A red pot with hamburger crumbles, ketchup, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Buns on a blue plate als in the picture.

    Step 3
    Let the mixture simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This helps the flavors blend and the sauce thicken just a bit. If you're using Worcestershire sauce, stir that in too.

    chocolate banana muffins
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    Sloppy Joe meat with sauce ready to go on the hamburger buns.

    Step 4
    Serve hot on your favorite hamburger buns. I like using brioche buns from Aldi for a slightly sweet, soft bite that works perfectly with the saucy filling.

    Finished 3 ingredient sloppy Joe on a bun with a red pot in the background, showing the saucy beef filling.

    Recipe Tips

    If you prefer a less sweet Sloppy Joe, start with just 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and taste before adding more.

    Toast your buns if you want a little more texture—just a minute or two in a dry skillet does the trick.

    This recipe makes 5 generous sandwiches, using about ¼ pound of meat per serving.

    Optional Add-Ins (if you want to go beyond 3 ingredients)

    – Add chopped onions or green peppers when browning the beef.
    – Stir in a dash of mustard or hot sauce for extra zip.
    – Sprinkle in garlic powder or onion powder for more depth.

    Storage

    Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

    You can also freeze the meat mixture in an airtight container or zip bag for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat as needed—great for quick lunches!

    Other Hamburger Based Meals

    • plate with ground beef nachos with melted cheese. guacamole and sour cream served in small containers to dip.
      Easy Beef Nachos
    • meatloaf served with green beans and mini potato
      Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf
    • Delicious Salisbury Steak Recipe
    • piece of lazy
      Quick Lazy Lasagna

    Printable Recipe Card

    Finished 3 ingredient sloppy Joe on a bun with a red pot in the background, showing the saucy beef filling.
    Print Recipe
    No ratings yet

    Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe - 3 Ingredients

    This easy 3 ingredient sloppy Joe recipe is one of my go-to dinners when I need something fast, filling, and budget-friendly. It's made with just ground beef, ketchup, and brown sugar - plus an optional splash of Worcestershire sauce for a savory boost.
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Cook Time10 minutes mins
    Total Time15 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course, Main dish, meat
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 5
    Calories: 465Kcal
    Author: Susan Moncrieff

    Ingredients

    • 1¼ pounds Ground beef Use your family favorite or what is on sale.
    • ¾ cup Ketchup
    • 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar Light or dark (or even white if you don't have brown on hand).
    • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce Optional - I always like adding it to a beef base dish.

    Hamburger Buns

    • 5 Hamburger Buns

    Instructions

    • In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, about 8-10 minutes. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. If there’s a lot of grease, drain it off before moving on.
    • Add the ketchup and brown sugar directly into the skillet with the cooked beef. Stir to combine.
    • Let the mixture simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This helps the flavors blend and the sauce thicken just a bit. If you're using Worcestershire sauce, stir that in too.
    • Serve hot on your favorite hamburger buns. I like using brioche buns from Aldi for a slightly sweet, soft bite that works perfectly with the saucy filling.

    Notes

    Recipe Tips

    If you prefer a less sweet Sloppy Joe, start with just 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and taste before adding more.
    Toast your buns if you want a little more texture—just a minute or two in a dry skillet does the trick.
    This recipe makes 5 generous sandwiches, using about ¼ pound of meat per serving.

    Optional Add-Ins (if you want to go beyond 3 ingredients)

    – Add chopped onions or green peppers when browning the beef.
    – Stir in a dash of mustard or hot sauce for extra zip.
    – Sprinkle in garlic powder or onion powder for more depth.

    Storage

    Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
    You can also freeze the meat mixture in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat as needed—great for quick lunches!

    Nutrition (I am not a nutritionist. These are estimates only)

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 465Kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 660mg | Potassium: 493mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 188IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 4mg

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    Ingredients for sloppy joes in top picture including hamburger, hamburger buns, ketchup, brown Sugar and optional Worcestershire sauce. Bottom image shows a ready to eat sloppy Joe. Text overlay says quick and Easy Sloppy Joes. Mild Flavor for picky eaters.

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    I'm Susan! I love sharing easy recipes, especially those that take less than 30 minutes and have less than 5 ingredients. I'm passionate about gardening and creating flower planters. My home is 100 years old and sometimes you will see it in my posts! It was a true fixer upper and I love it!

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    Ingredients for sloppy joes in top picture including hamburger, hamburger buns, ketchup, brown Sugar and optional Worcestershire sauce. Bottom image shows a ready to eat sloppy Joe. Text overlay says quick and Easy Sloppy Joes. Mild Flavor for picky eaters.

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