Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix

Home · Dry Mixes

Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix

A quick, pantry-friendly dry seasoning mix for weeknight Sloppy Joes—sweet, tangy, and just a little smoky. Keep a jar ready, then add to browned beef or turkey with tomato sauce for dinner in minutes.

Prep: ~5 min Cook: ~15 min Yield: Seasoning for 4 sandwiches (1 lb meat) Category: Dry Mix • Seasonings
Sloppy joe seasoning mix with sandwich

Ingredients

For the Dry Seasoning Mix

  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp mustard powder
  • 1 tsp paprika (regular or smoked)
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp fine sea salt
Jar size: A 4–8 oz spice jar fits 1–2 batches. Label: “Use 2 Tbsp per 1 lb meat + 1 cup tomato sauce.”

Just Add (for 1 lb meat)

  • 1 lb ground beef (or turkey / plant crumbles)
  • 1 cup tomato sauce (or ¾ cup sauce + ¼ cup ketchup for sweeter)
  • 2 Tbsp Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix
  • Optional: ¼–½ cup water, to loosen as needed
  • To serve: toasted hamburger buns + pickle chips

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Make the mix. Stir all dry spices together until uniform. Store airtight.
  2. Brown the meat. In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef, breaking into crumbles. Drain excess fat.
  3. Season & sauce. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp seasoning over meat. Stir in tomato sauce (and a splash of water if needed).
  4. Simmer. Cook 5–10 minutes until thick and glossy, adding water to reach your preferred sauciness. Taste; add salt or a pinch of brown sugar to balance.
  5. Serve. Spoon onto toasted buns and top with pickles.
Mild or spicy: For extra kick, add ¼–½ tsp crushed red pepper; for milder, use 2 tsp chili powder total and add ½ tsp onion powder.

Pro Tips, Variations & Storage

  • Sweeter classic: Replace 2–3 Tbsp of the tomato sauce with ketchup.
  • Tangier: Add 1–2 tsp apple cider vinegar at the end.
  • Smoky BBQ vibe: Use smoked paprika and splash in 1 tsp Worcestershire or BBQ sauce.
  • Veggie add-ins: Sauté ½ cup diced onion and ½ cup diced bell pepper before browning meat.
  • Meatless option: Swap in plant-based crumbles or 2½ cups cooked lentils.
  • Double it: For 2 lb meat, use 4 Tbsp seasoning + 2 cups sauce.
  • Freezer-friendly: Finished filling freezes up to 3 months; thaw and rewarm with a splash of water.
  • Storage (mix): Keep airtight, cool, and dark up to 12 months.

FAQ & Troubleshooting

  • Too runny? Simmer uncovered 2–3 more minutes; add a spoon of tomato paste.
  • Too thick? Splash in water 1–2 Tbsp at a time.
  • Too sweet? Balance with ½–1 tsp cider vinegar and a pinch of salt.
  • No tomato sauce? Use ¾ cup water + 3 Tbsp tomato paste + 1 tsp vinegar.
  • Gluten/dairy notes: The mix is naturally gluten- and dairy-free; check bun labels if needed.
Yield
2 Tbsp seasoning (for 1 lb meat) • ~4 sandwiches
Active Time
~5 minutes to mix • ~15 minutes to cook
Category
Dry Mixes · Seasonings
Gift it! Portion the dry mix into mini mason jars and attach a tag: “Use 2 Tbsp per 1 lb meat + 1 cup tomato sauce. Simmer 5–10 min.”