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

How to spice up sloppy joe mix? ›

Spice Your Sloppy Joe Up With Chile Flakes Or Canned Chiles

Classic red chile flakes offer a moderate amount of heat, but you could also go for powerful Carolina Reaper flakes for even more heat. Canned chiles can also add loads of flavor and texture to your sloppy joes.

What's in McCormick's sloppy joe seasoning? ›

POTATO STARCH, SUGAR, SALT, MALTODEXTRIN, ONION, SPICES, GARLIC, GREEN BELL PEPPER, FD&C YELLOW NO. 6, FD&C RED NO. 40, AND NATURAL FLAVOR.

What's the difference between Manwich and sloppy joe mix? ›

Sloppy Joes are the sandwich, while Manwich is the store-bought canned sloppy joe sauce, produced by ConAgra Foods and Hunt's.

What's the difference between a sloppy joe and a sloppy Jane? ›

If you're aiming to eat a lower-fat diet, then consider fixing yourself a sloppy jane. This variant on the sloppy joe swaps out regular ground beef for leaner beef. It also places a higher focus on vegetables and other low-calorie ingredients.

Do you drain meat before adding sloppy joe mix? ›

Sloppy Joe Tips

We suggest draining the browned beef, because excess grease serves as a barrier to sloppy joe seasonings.

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).

How to thicken sloppy joes? ›

  1. Flour can be used similar to corn starch.
  2. Other thickeners used are bread crumbs, potato flakes and oats. ...
  3. Go gradually with these. ...
  4. Use oats to thicken sloppy-joes as to absorb the excess but it will be thicker the next day.
  5. Barley can be used but is more expensive.
Oct 29, 2021

What is Manwich sloppy joe sauce made of? ›

From the Package

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.

What gives Manwich its flavor? ›

The majority used ground beef in the sauce - a concoction of tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, garlic and spices - and made it into sandwiches. Food scientist Bill Skinner occasionally buys Hunt's Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce and described the bold version as being a little sweeter with more tomato flavor.

Can I use tomato sauce instead of tomato paste for sloppy joes? ›

You don't have to dash out to the store if you're out of tomato paste; tomato sauce and tomato puree are both an excellent substitute. For every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste needed, use 3 tablespoons of tomato puree or sauce.

What are the ingredients in Hunt's Sloppy Joe sauce? ›

Ingredients. Tomato Puree (Water,Tomato Paste), Water, Sugar/Glucose-Fructose, Vinegar, Corn Syrup, Salt, Spices, Dehydrated Green Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes, Tomato Fibre, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Maltodextrin, Dehydrated Garlic, Citric Acid, Flavour, Spice Extracts.

How to jazz up sloppy joe mix? ›

15 Ways To Upgrade Canned Sloppy Joe Sauce
  1. Salsa brings a spicy twist. ...
  2. Try gochujang for Korean-inspired Sloppy Joes. ...
  3. Experiment with Worcestershire sauce. ...
  4. Red pepper flakes bring the heat. ...
  5. Miso provides the umami your Sloppy Joe sauce is missing. ...
  6. Liquid smoke enhances the meat's flavor.
Feb 19, 2024

What is a fancy name for a sloppy joe? ›

Manwich, slush burger, yum yums, dynamite, spoonburgers, tavern sandwich; a Sloppy Joe can be called by many other names. The most well-known however is Manwich.

What is the New Jersey version of 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.

How do you spice up bland? ›

From boring to brilliant: Five easy ways to fix a bland recipe
  1. Salt. Advertisem*nt. ...
  2. Acid. One of my favorite ways to perk up a bland dish is with a splash of acid. ...
  3. Chilli peppers. Adding something spicy is a sure way to transform an underseasoned dish. ...
  4. Sugar. ...
  5. Fresh herbs.
Mar 13, 2023

What goes well on sloppy joes? ›

Toppings, Sauces & Salsas
  • Caramelized Mushrooms. Caramelized mushrooms are so sweet and tender, and they add the perfect burst of flavor to a Sloppy Joe by complementing meaty flavors and adding in extra protein! ...
  • Roasted Corn Salsa. ...
  • Edamame Guacamole (High Protein) ...
  • Garlic Sauce.
Oct 27, 2023

What is a sloppy joe jumper? ›

Sloppy Joe Jumpers

You've probably seen these comfortable jumpers, but just didn't know their name. The history of this simple jumper started with male Ivy League students, who wore oversized, sloppy-style sweaters to show their superiority.

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."

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