Ultimate Homemade Sloppy Joe Sauce
Recreate the iconic flavor of Manwich with this Ultimate Homemade Sloppy Joe Sauce. This copycat recipe combines fresh ingredients, zesty seasonings, and a touch of sweetness to deliver a hearty and satisfying meal. Perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings, this sauce pairs exceptionally well with toasted hamburger buns and your choice of toppings. Serve it up for a nostalgic twist on a classic American favorite that everyone will enjoy!
N/A
Servings
315
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground Beef
1 lb (browned)
Medium Red Bell Pepper
1/2 cup (minced)
Green Bell Pepper
1/3 cup (minced)
Tomato Paste
1 (6 ounce) can (quality)
Water
1/2 cup
Light Corn Syrup (Karo)
1/2 cup
Distilled White Vinegar (Heinz)
1/2 cup
Cornstarch
1 tablespoon
Minced Onion Flakes
1 tablespoon
Unseasoned Sweet Chili Powder
1 teaspoon
Plain Salt
1 teaspoon
Worcestershire Sauce (Lea & Perrins)
1/2 teaspoon
Ground Allspice
1/4 teaspoon
Ground Cloves
1/8 teaspoon
Garlic Powder
1/8 teaspoon
Red Chili Pepper Flakes
1/8 teaspoon
White Pepper
1/8 teaspoon
Bay Leaf
1
Instructions
1
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. Stir occasionally until fully cooked.
2
While the meat is browning, prepare the bell peppers. Place the halved red bell pepper and quartered green bell pepper into a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.
3
Once the beef is browned, drain any excess fat if necessary. Reduce the skillet heat to low to keep the meat warm.
4
In a medium bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients: tomato paste, water, corn syrup, vinegar, cornstarch, onion flakes, sweet chili powder, salt, Worcestershire sauce, allspice, cloves, garlic powder, red chili flakes, and white pepper.
5
Transfer the sauce mixture into a medium saucepan. Add a bay leaf and the chopped bell peppers. Stir to combine.
6
Bring the sauce mixture to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly for one minute. Then, reduce the heat to medium and let it cook for an additional 5 minutes, whisking occasionally. Remove the bay leaf and adjust the seasoning with salt as needed.
7
Combine the prepared sauce with the warm ground beef, stirring until well mixed. Cover to keep warm.
8
For the buns, melt butter in a separate large skillet over medium heat. Place halved buns cut-side down; cover and reduce heat to toast until golden brown and heated through.
9
Spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture generously over the toasted buns. Customize with toppings like Parmesan cheese or shredded cheddar if desired.
10
Serve immediately and savor the deliciousness!
Nutrition Information
14g
Fat
29g
Carbs
18g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ultimate Homemade Sloppy Joe Sauce?
It is a copycat recipe designed to recreate the iconic flavor of Manwich using fresh ingredients, zesty seasonings, and a touch of sweetness.
What type of meat is used in this recipe?
This recipe calls for 1 lb of browned ground beef.
How do I prepare the bell peppers?
The halved red bell pepper and quartered green bell pepper should be placed into a food processor and pulsed until finely chopped.
What are the main sauce ingredients?
The sauce consists of tomato paste, water, light corn syrup, distilled white vinegar, cornstarch, minced onion flakes, sweet chili powder, salt, Worcestershire sauce, allspice, cloves, garlic powder, red chili flakes, and white pepper.
How do I thicken the Sloppy Joe sauce?
The sauce is thickened using one tablespoon of cornstarch mixed into the sauce ingredients and brought to a boil.
What type of vinegar should I use?
The recipe recommends using Heinz Distilled White Vinegar.
Is there a specific brand of Worcestershire sauce suggested?
Yes, the recipe specifies using Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce.
How long should the sauce simmer?
After bringing the mixture to a boil for one minute, reduce the heat and let it cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Do I leave the bay leaf in the sauce?
No, the bay leaf should be removed from the sauce after the 5-minute simmer and before combining with the meat.
How should I prepare the hamburger buns?
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, place halved buns cut-side down, cover, and toast until golden brown.
What are some recommended toppings?
You can customize your Sloppy Joes with toppings like Parmesan cheese or shredded cheddar if desired.
Is this recipe considered a quick meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick meal and a perfect option for family dinners.
What is the calorie count per serving?
There are approximately 315 calories in this recipe.
How much protein is in this Sloppy Joe recipe?
Each serving contains 18g of protein.
What is the fat content?
The recipe contains 14g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 29g of carbohydrates per serving.
What spices are used for seasoning?
The seasonings include unseasoned sweet chili powder, allspice, cloves, garlic powder, red chili pepper flakes, and white pepper.
Should I drain the meat after browning?
Yes, once the beef is browned, you should drain any excess fat if necessary.
What size can of tomato paste is needed?
The recipe requires one 6-ounce can of quality tomato paste.
How much corn syrup is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of Light Corn Syrup (Karo).
What is the preparation for the red bell pepper?
The recipe specifies 1/2 cup of minced or finely chopped red bell pepper.
What kind of cuisine is this?
This is a classic American cuisine dish.
Can I use a food processor for this recipe?
Yes, a food processor is used to finely chop the red and green bell peppers.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 18 ingredients in this recipe.
Is this a copycat recipe?
Yes, it is a copycat recipe of the iconic Manwich flavor.
What should I do after the meat is browned?
After browning and draining, reduce the skillet heat to low to keep the meat warm while preparing the sauce.
How long do I boil the sauce?
You should whisk the sauce constantly while it boils for one minute.
Is sweet chili powder required?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of unseasoned sweet chili powder is part of the spice blend.
What is the purpose of the cornstarch?
Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent for the sauce mixture.
How is the final dish served?
The Sloppy Joe mixture is spooned generously over toasted buns and served immediately.