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.
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.
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
How to Make Sloppy Joe Seasoning
Combine all dry ingredients and stir well.
Store in a glass container.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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!
Easy Recipes Family Dinner
If you want to see how meal plan and prep weekly can save you lots in your budget, check more meal plan ideas with easy recipes. Our family loves the restaurant copycat recipes too!
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.
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.
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.
Some attribute the original Sloppy Joe to a cafe in Sioux City, Iowa, where, many years ago, in 1930 a cook named Joe added tomato sauce to his “loose meat” sandwiches. Voila: a new between-the-bread offering, and the sandwich's official name.
Cook beef in large skillet over medium-high heat 7 minutes or until crumbled and no longer pink, stirring occasionally; drain. Stir in Sloppy Joe sauce; heat through.
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.
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.
Ground beef is the traditional meat for this recipe. Choose more lean meat for less fat during cooking, I use 92% lean when making these. Ground pork is a unique addition to a Sloppy Joe recipe.
Some attribute the original Sloppy Joe to a cafe in Sioux City, Iowa, where, many years ago, in 1930 a cook named Joe added tomato sauce to his “loose meat” sandwiches. Voila: a new between-the-bread offering, and the sandwich's official name.
Introduction: My name is Annamae Dooley, I am a witty, quaint, lovely, clever, rich, sparkling, powerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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