Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix and Sauce Recipe (2024)

Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix and Sauce Recipe (1)

Whether your family calls this a sloppy joe or the brand name most people know of, Manwich, we can all agree that it's a quick and easy way to make some ground beef taste a lot better!

Not only is this Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix recipe less expensive than purchasing a packet of McCormick's or a Manwich can but you are leaving out all the additives, preservatives, and you have control over the sodium. I think the Sloppy Joe Sauce tastes way better too!

As you are reviewing the recipe below, you can choose to 2x or 3x the recipe. It's no more work to make a double or triple batch of the seasoning mix and you won't use all the spices required for the mix. It's definitely a staple we keep on hand for weekly meal planning.

Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix and Sauce Recipe (2)

Homemade Sloppy Joe Seasoning

A long time ago, I began to make my own seasoning mixes for lots of pantry staples. This recipe uses basic seasonings we always have in the pantry. I consider it a McCormick's seasoning packet copycat. I don't remember the last time we purchased seasoning packets at the store.

Now, the seasoning mix alone doesn't make a Sloppy Joe. You'll need wet ingredients for the Sloppy Joe Sauce, and those are listed below. All of the ingredients combined will turn the seasoning mix and ground beef into that Manwich or Sloppy Joe.

Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix and Sauce Recipe (3)

Recipe for Sloppy Joe Mix

  • 2 Tbsp, Paprika
  • 1 Tbsp, Onion Flakes
  • 1 tsp, Chili Powder
  • 1 tsp, Dry Crushed Basil Leaves
  • 1 tsp, Dry Mustard
  • ½ tsp, Salt
  • ½ tsp, Pepper
  • ¼ tsp, Celery Salt or Seed
  • 1 tsp, Cornstarch
Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix and Sauce Recipe (4)

How to Make Sloppy Joe Seasoning

  1. Combine all dry ingredients and stir well.
  2. Store in a glass container.
Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix and Sauce Recipe (5)

I mixed mine right in the container I was going to store it in.

The above measurements make one recipe, I usually triple or quadruple the recipe so I have enough for a month or so on hand.

Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix and Sauce Recipe (6)

Recipe for Sloppy Joe Sauce

To turn this into a homemade Manwich sauce, you'll need the sloppy joe seasoning mix above along with these ingredients:

  • ½ cup, Water
  • 1 Tbsp, Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 cup, Ketchup
  • 1/3 cup, Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix
Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix and Sauce Recipe (7)

Sloppy Joe Mix from Scratch

Stir the seasoning mix along with the wet ingredients together in a bowl. This makes the equivalent to one can of Manwich.

Add directly to pan with 1 pound browned ground beef. Let simmer until thickened.

Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix and Sauce Recipe (8)

What to add to Manwich to make it taste better?

With this homemade version, some people like chopped onions and bell peppers but my kids don't like those added so we don't add them. We just use the homemade seasoning mix and the sloppy joe sauce ingredients and that's it.

Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix and Sauce Recipe (9)

As I mentioned at the start, consider making a double or triple batch of the seasoning mix and you will still have plenty of the other spices remaining for other things. The cost for the spices and the wet ingredients for the Sloppy Joe Sauce is going to be a lot less than a can of Manwich at the store. Not to mention you don't need to run to the store and grab it when it's on the meal plan for the week!

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Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix and Sauce Recpe

Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix and Sauce Recipe (10)
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  • Author: Andrea Deckard

Ingredients

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Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix

  • 2 Tbsp, Paprika
  • 1 Tbsp, Onion Flakes
  • 1 tsp, Chili Powder
  • 1 tsp, Dry Crushed Basil Leaves
  • 1 tsp, Dry Mustard
  • ½ tsp, Salt
  • ½ tsp, Pepper
  • ¼ tsp, Celery Salt or Seed
  • 1 tsp, Cornstarch
  • ½ cup, Water

Sloppy Joe Sauce

  • 1 Tbsp, Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 cup, Ketchup
  • 1/3 cup, Seasoning Mix

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dry mix and store in a glass container.
  2. Combine all ingredients for the Sloppy Joe Sauce and mix together in a bowl.
  3. Add sauce directly to pan with 1 pound browned ground beef.

  4. Let simmer until thickened.

Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix and Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What spices do you put in Sloppy Joe's? ›

Mix in tomato paste and water, stirring until paste is dissolved. Stir in garlic, chili powder, paprika, cumin, vinegar, brown sugar, oregano, salt and pepper. Continue to heat for 5 to 10 minutes, or until mixture is thick and stewy.

How do you make sloppy joe mix better? ›

Well, it's as easy as incorporating a splash of apple cider vinegar to upgrade the savory Sloppy Joe flavors. By adding apple cider vinegar, you introduce a tangy acidity to sugary Sloppy Joe sauce, effectively balancing its sweetness and enhancing its overall flavor profile.

What is the sloppy joe sauce made of? ›

What is the sloppy joe sauce made of? It's made with ketchup, brown sugar, tomato paste, Worcestershire, chili powder, garlic, dry mustard, and a little Tobasco (if you want). That sauce coats the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper to make the filling.

What are the ingredients in French's sloppy joe mix? ›

INGREDIENTS: Spices (Dried Onion, Dried Garlic, Paprika, Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper), Sugar, Modified Starch, Salt, Acids (Sodium Diacetate, Citric Acid), Natural Flavouring, Herbs (Oregano, Rosemary), Anti-caking Agent (Calcium Silicate), Rapeseed Oil, Colour (Paprika Extract).

What's the difference between Sloppy Joes and Sloppy Jane? ›

Unlike traditional can Sloppy Joes, which are often loaded with unhealthy additives and preservatives, Sloppy Janes are made with lean meat, low-fat ingredients, and a variety of fresh vegetables. They are easy to make and require only a few simple ingredients.

What is a New Jersey style Sloppy Joe? ›

There are minor variations depending on the deli, but it is always a double-decker thin sliced rye bread sandwich made with one or more types of sliced deli meat, such as turkey, ham, pastrami, corned beef, roast beef, or sliced beef tongue, along with Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian dressing.

What is the difference between Sloppy Joe and Manwich? ›

What is the difference between Manwich and Sloppy Joes? Sloppy Joes are the sandwich, while Manwich is the store-bought canned sloppy joe sauce, produced by ConAgra Foods and Hunt's. While the brand markets this product as a quick and easy one-pan meal, I strongly recommend you make the sauce from scratch.

Does McCormick Sloppy Joe mix go bad? ›

Unopened McCormick Culinary® Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix packages are shelf stable and can be held for use for up to 720 days.

Should I drain hamburger meat for sloppy joes? ›

Do you drain the meat for sloppy joes? We suggest draining the browned beef, because excess grease serves as a barrier to sloppy joe seasonings. You'll want the beef to absorb these wonderful flavors as it cooks.

What are the ingredients in Del Monte Sloppy Joe sauce? ›

Tomato Puree (Water, Tomato Paste), High Fructose Corn Syrup, Distilled Vinegar, Green and Red Bell Peppers, Salt, Modified Food Starch (Corn), Worcestershire Sauce Concentrate (Distilled Vinegar, Corn Syrup, Water, Salt, Garlic Powder, Spices, Tamarind, Natural Flavor), Spices, Dehydrated Onions, Garlic Powder, ...

What is in Manwich Sloppy Joe sauce? ›

TOMATO PUREE (WATER, TOMATO PASTE), HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, DISTILLED VINEGAR, CORN SYRUP, LESS THAN 2% OF: SALT, SUGAR, CARROT FIBER, DRIED GREEN AND RED BELL PEPPERS, CHILI PEPPER, GUAR GUM, SPICES, XANTHAN GUM, DRIED GARLIC, NATURAL FLAVORS, CITRIC ACID.

Why are sloppy joes so sweet? ›

Most Sloppy Joe recipes call for lots of ketchup—1/2 cup to 1 cup—which makes the sandwiches overly sweet.

What is Sloppy Joe's famous for? ›

Sloppy Joe's opened in 1933 and is famous for being Hemingway's favorite watering hole. These days it's more famous for its good music, cold drinks and the dropping of the Conch on New Year's Eve.

What is on a deli Sloppy Joe? ›

In this part of the country, where I grew up, a sloppy joe is something else entirely. It's a triple decker sandwich—cold deli meat and cheese on dense rye bread—glued together with coleslaw and Russian dressing.

Is bold Sloppy Joe mix spicy? ›

"It's zesty like a smoky barbecue sauce, but has no kick, and the consistency is thick and holds together on the bun." He said there's enough of the meaty sauce to make about five good-size sandwiches.

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