{
  "attribution": {
    "author": "Flavor Folio",
    "publisher": "Flavor Folio"
  },
  "canonicalURL": "https://flavorfolio.app/recipes/homemade-sloppy-joes-from-scratch-cheddar-jalapeno",
  "format": "flavorfolio.recipe",
  "image": {
    "alt": "Homemade sloppy joe topped with melted cheddar and pickled jalapeño slices on a toasted bun with fries",
    "credit": "Photo: jeffreyw, \"Sloppy Joe\" via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)",
    "height": 850,
    "kind": "photograph",
    "smallWidth": 600,
    "url": "https://flavorfolio.app/media/5363ead1-a780-4178-8891-3469becfa78b/1536.jpg",
    "width": 1280
  },
  "publishedAt": "2026-10-30T00:00:00Z",
  "recipe": {
    "categories": [
      "Dinner",
      "Lunch"
    ],
    "cookMinutes": 20,
    "cuisine": "American",
    "dietTags": [],
    "difficulty": "easy",
    "ingredients": [
      {
        "item": "olive oil",
        "quantity": "1",
        "unit": "tbsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "ground beef",
        "note": "85% lean",
        "quantity": "2",
        "unit": "lb"
      },
      {
        "item": "medium yellow onion",
        "note": "finely diced",
        "quantity": "1",
        "unit": ""
      },
      {
        "item": "green bell pepper",
        "note": "finely diced",
        "quantity": "1",
        "unit": ""
      },
      {
        "item": "garlic",
        "note": "minced",
        "quantity": "3",
        "unit": "cloves"
      },
      {
        "item": "kosher salt",
        "note": "plus more to taste",
        "quantity": "1",
        "unit": "tsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "black pepper",
        "quantity": "1/2",
        "unit": "tsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "tomato paste",
        "quantity": "2",
        "unit": "tbsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "chili powder",
        "quantity": "1",
        "unit": "tsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "smoked paprika",
        "quantity": "1",
        "unit": "tsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "ketchup",
        "quantity": "1",
        "unit": "cup"
      },
      {
        "item": "water or beef broth",
        "quantity": "1/2",
        "unit": "cup"
      },
      {
        "item": "light brown sugar",
        "note": "packed",
        "quantity": "2",
        "unit": "tbsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "Worcestershire sauce",
        "quantity": "1",
        "unit": "tbsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "yellow mustard",
        "quantity": "1",
        "unit": "tbsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "apple cider vinegar",
        "quantity": "1",
        "unit": "tbsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "hamburger buns or brioche buns",
        "quantity": "6",
        "unit": ""
      },
      {
        "item": "butter",
        "note": "softened, for toasting the buns",
        "quantity": "2",
        "unit": "tbsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "sharp cheddar cheese",
        "note": "optional",
        "quantity": "6",
        "unit": "slices"
      },
      {
        "item": "pickled jalapeño slices",
        "note": "optional, drained",
        "quantity": "1/3",
        "unit": "cup"
      }
    ],
    "keywords": [
      "sloppy joes",
      "homemade sloppy joes",
      "sloppy joe recipe",
      "sloppy joe sauce from scratch",
      "easy ground beef dinner",
      "Halloween dinner",
      "dinner before trick or treating",
      "game day food",
      "30 minute dinner",
      "kid friendly dinner",
      "Manwich copycat"
    ],
    "prepMinutes": 10,
    "servings": 6,
    "steps": [
      {
        "estimatedMinutes": 6,
        "ingredientIndexes": [
          0,
          1
        ],
        "instruction": "Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it into small crumbles with a spatula, until browned with no pink remaining, about 6 minutes. Spoon off all but about 1 tablespoon of the fat."
      },
      {
        "estimatedMinutes": 5,
        "ingredientIndexes": [
          2,
          3,
          4,
          5,
          6
        ],
        "instruction": "Add the onion, bell pepper, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables soften, about 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant."
      },
      {
        "estimatedMinutes": 1,
        "ingredientIndexes": [
          7,
          8,
          9
        ],
        "instruction": "Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder and smoked paprika and cook for 1 minute so the paste darkens slightly and the spices bloom."
      },
      {
        "estimatedMinutes": 10,
        "ingredientIndexes": [
          10,
          11,
          12,
          13,
          14,
          15
        ],
        "instruction": "Add the ketchup, water or broth, brown sugar, Worcestershire, mustard and cider vinegar. Stir well, bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thick enough to mound on a spoon, 8 to 10 minutes. Taste and adjust with more salt, sugar or vinegar."
      },
      {
        "estimatedMinutes": 3,
        "ingredientIndexes": [
          16,
          17
        ],
        "instruction": "While the filling simmers, spread the cut sides of the buns with butter and toast them cut-side down in a separate skillet or under the broiler until golden, 2 to 3 minutes."
      },
      {
        "estimatedMinutes": 2,
        "ingredientIndexes": [
          18,
          19
        ],
        "instruction": "Spoon a generous scoop of filling onto each bottom bun. If using, lay a slice of cheddar on top so the heat melts it, add a few pickled jalapeño slices, and close with the top bun. Serve right away."
      }
    ],
    "summary": "Rich, tangy-sweet homemade sloppy joes made in one skillet in about 20 minutes, with a from-scratch sauce of tomato, brown sugar, Worcestershire and a splash of cider vinegar. Pile onto toasted buttered buns and top with melty cheddar and pickled jalapeños for a fast, crowd-pleasing dinner before trick-or-treating or game night. The filling freezes well and tastes even better the next day.",
    "title": "Homemade Sloppy Joes from Scratch (20-Minute, Better Than Manwich)",
    "totalMinutes": 30
  },
  "recipeID": "8c96e3bf-2773-439b-b4a0-a8a830ccde12",
  "revision": 1,
  "schemaVersion": 1,
  "updatedAt": "2026-10-30T12:03:42.716827Z"
}