Homemade Sloppy Joes Sauce
Homemade sloppy joes made with ground beef, fennel, peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms simmered in a rich tomato sauce for a flavorful family favorite.
September 2025 update: I first posted this homemade sloppy joes recipe in December 2023, and it’s still a family favorite. This update gave me a chance to freshen things up, add serving suggestions, and fix the prep time. When I originally shared it, my blog was brand new and I had no clue what I was doing with timing, so this version is much more accurate.
👩🍳 Sloppy Joes Deserve an Upgrade with Fennel
I’ve been on a sloppy joes kick, and this batch might be my favorite yet. I’ve been obsessed with fennel lately, so of course I had to sneak some in these. I tossed it in with zucchini, mushrooms, and peppers, and it just works. Instead of the usual buns, I went with bread bowls. They soak up the sauce and honestly make the whole thing feel a little more special. Leave them out if you want to go low-carb or serve it over steamed cauliflower.
You can use whatever ground meat you’ve got. Beef is the obvious choice, but turkey or chicken taste great too. Venison would be awesome if you have some tucked away in the freezer. I used canned tomato sauce this time, but when my San Marzanos are ready, they’re going straight in.
The fennel is the part I get most excited about. Raw fennel can taste a little like licorice, but once you cook it down with onions, it turns sweet and adds this depth you don’t usually find in sloppy joes. The bell peppers and zucchini bulk it up, but really, you can throw in whatever’s hanging around. Sweet potatoes, squash, jalapeños… they’d all be good.
And here’s my little trick: just a pinch of cinnamon. It doesn’t jump out, but it warms everything up in the background and makes the sauce feel richer.
For serving, medium bread bowls are the way to go. Big enough to hold a hearty scoop, but not so huge you’re stuffed before you finish. I like to bake mine the day before so they’re ready to go, but if you’ve got a good bakery nearby, grab some there.
🛒 Ingredients for Homemade Sloppy Joes with Veggies
🥣 How to Make Homemade Sloppy Joes with Veggies
Start by making the sauce so it has time to sit while you work on the rest. Grab a medium bowl and whisk together Worcestershire sauce, mustard, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, a pinch of cinnamon, your choice of chipotle, cayenne or hot sauce, and tomato sauce. Stir until smooth and set the bowl aside. If your fennel bulb has fronds, chop a handful of them and stir them into the sauce for extra flavor.
Next, prep your vegetables. Chop the onion, fennel bulb, red bell pepper, zucchini, and mushrooms so they’re all about the same size. Keeping them uniform helps them cook evenly and keeps the texture balanced in the finished sloppy joe mixture.
Place a Dutch oven or large heavy pot on the stove and warm a little olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, fennel, and bell pepper first and sauté until they soften and smell sweet. Stir often so nothing sticks or browns too quickly. Once those are tender, toss in the zucchini and mushrooms. Cook them just until they lose some of their firmness. You want them softened but not mushy. Transfer all the vegetables to a bowl and set them aside.
Add the ground beef to the hot pot and cook until it is no longer pink. Use a spatula or meat chopper to break it up as it cooks. If there is a lot of grease in the bottom, drain it off so your sauce doesn’t turn greasy. Stir in the minced garlic, salt, and pepper and cook for another minute until the garlic smells fragrant.
Add the vegetables back to the pot with the beef and stir everything together. Pour in the sauce you mixed earlier and give it a good stir. Bring the mixture up to a gentle boil, then turn the heat down low and let it simmer. About fifteen minutes is enough for the flavors to come together, but you can let it go a little longer if you want a thicker sauce. If it ever looks too thick, splash in a little hot water until you like the consistency. Taste as you go and adjust the salt and pepper to your liking.
To serve, hollow out bread bowls or grab your favorite buns and spoon the sloppy joe mixture inside. If you’re using bread bowls, save the insides for dipping because they’ll soak up the sauce beautifully.
Love this recipe? Spread the love by leaving a star review or dropping a comment below! I’d really love to hear what you think. If this recipe hit the spot for you, you’d be helping me out big time by sharing it on Pinterest or Facebook!
Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them (It won’t cost you extra, promise). This helps support my work and allows me to continue creating content. Rest assured, I only recommend products I personally use and love. Thank you for your support!
Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespooons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 2 tablespooons Light Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle powder (or cayenne powder or hot sauce)
- 1 pinch cinnamon
- 30 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 tablespooon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 finely chopped medium onion
- 1 fennel bulb (chopped)
- 1 red bell pepper (seeded and finely diced )
- 1 medium zucchini (chopped)
- 1 cup mushrooms (brown, baby bella or white are all fine choices, chopped )
- 2 pounds lean ground beef (85%-90% lean)
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
- 4 minced garlic cloves
Instructions
- In a medium bowl combine, 2 tablespooons Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons yellow mustard, 2 tablespooons Light Brown Sugar, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon chipotle powder 1 pinch cinnamon and 30 ounces tomato sauce. Chop the fennel fronds and add them to the tomato sauce. Set aside.
- Chop 1 finely chopped medium onion, 1 fennel bulb and 1 red bell pepper.
- Preheat Dutch Oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespooon extra-virgin olive oil. Add the vegetables and cook until tender.
- Add 1 medium zucchini and 1 cup mushrooms to the skillet. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until slightly softened. Don't overcook it. Remove vegetables to a bowl.
- Add 2 pounds lean ground beef to the hot dutch oven and cook until no longer pink, breaking up with spatula or meat chopper. Drain. Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper to the pot with the ground beef. Stir and cook for one minute or until garlic is fragrant. Add vegetables back to the pot.
- Pour in sauce and stir. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat. Simmer mixture for 10-15 minutes or until the sloppy joe sauce is hot and the flavors have melded. Give it a try and add salt and pepper. Adjust consistency with hot water if you prefer a sloppier sloppy joe.
- Fill your hollowed out bread bowls or buns with sloppy joe sauce. If desired, sprinkle a little cheese on top and broil 1-2 minutes or until melted.
Notes
Substitutions
Storage
Nutrition
FAQs
What if I don’t like fennel?
You can skip it, but if you want the same depth of flavor, try celery or even a little extra onion. The sauce will still taste great.
Can I make sloppy joes in a slow cooker?
Yes. Brown the meat and vegetables first, then add everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or high for 2 to 3.
Serving Suggestions for Sloppy Joes
Sloppy joes can hold their own, but pairing them with the right sides makes the meal even more satisfying. Crispy oven fries or air fryer fries are a natural choice. You can switch it up with sweet potatoes or even zucchini fries if you want something lighter.
Coleslaw is another favorite because the crunch and tang balance the rich sauce. You can serve it on the side or pile it right on top of the sloppy joe. Pickles are a small but powerful addition, giving a sharp bite that cuts through the richness.
If you are looking for something warm, roasted vegetables like carrots, Brussels sprouts, or broccoli work perfectly since you can toss them in the oven while the sloppy joe filling simmers. For comfort food lovers, mac and cheese is always a hit, especially with kids.
For a lighter option, a simple green salad with vinaigrette brings freshness to the table. When corn is in season, corn on the cob brushed with butter and a little seasoning is a perfect match. To wash it all down, try iced tea, a cold soda, or even a light beer if you want something refreshing.
Other Sandwich Recipes to Try
If you love a good sloppy joe, you’ll probably be into these other sandwiches too. Each one has its own vibe, whether you’re craving something cheesy, fresh, or a little bold.
The Fig and Prosciutto Grilled Cheese is a sweet and savory mashup with melty cheese and salty prosciutto layered against fig spread. For another grilled cheese that feels fancy but is super easy, the Gourmet Pesto Grilled Cheese brings herby flavor and gooey goodness together.
If burgers are more your style, the Zucchini Corn Chicken Burgers are light and fresh with summer produce tucked inside. The Jalapeño Popper Hamburger is on the opposite end, stuffed with creamy cheese and a little heat. For something piled high, the Loaded Greek Chicken Burgers bring cucumber, feta, and all the Mediterranean flavors right to your plate.
Flatbreads and sliders deserve a mention too. The Pesto Chicken Pita is quick, flavorful, and perfect for lunch. The Buffalo Chicken Dip Sliders turn the classic party dip into handheld sandwiches that are messy in the best way.
Beef lovers will want to check out the Hamburger with Roasted Garlic, which adds a rich depth you won’t get from a regular burger. The Onion Stack Beef Sliders layer caramelized onions with juicy beef, making them perfect for game day or family nights. And if you’re craving something hearty, the Steak Sandwich with Horseradish delivers bold flavor with every bite.