20 Sloppy Joes That Are Impossible To Resist

If you ask us, sloppy joes are a little bit magical. Just one bite can instantly transport you back to cafeteria lunches, summer camp meals or big game bites — plus, we can't overlook their purpose as a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Here, we've rounded up our very best takes on the classic sandwich, from vegetarian takes to unique flavor twists. No matter which recipe you choose, you're sure to enjoy this comfort food classic. For our tried-and-true, ultimate sloppy joe, we created a homemade sauce that is tangy and flavorful but also quick and easy. We used both ketchup and canned tomato sauce for lots of tomato-y zip and just a touch of brown sugar for a bit of sweetness and slight caramel finish. Green bell pepper is a key addition; it really enhances the other ingredients, elevating the flavor profile into the realm of a true sloppy joe.

Your sloppy joe isn't so sloppy anymore! Instead of piling the saucy meat onto hamburger buns, stuff a classic sloppy joe mix into rounds of prepared biscuit dough. The resulting bombs are a perfect packed lunch or on-the-go snack for kids (and adults, too!).

Messy, meaty and utterly delicious, Ree's sandwiches are the quintessential sloppy joe. She incorporates ingredients like ketchup, worcestershire sauce, brown sugar and hot sauce for a deep flavor that's evenly balanced. Kids and adults alike will gobble them up!

Looking for a twist on the classic sloppy joe? Oregano, basil and Parmesan lend an Italian-style flair to Ree’s easy weeknight dinner. Don't skip the garlic toast for serving, which really ups the Italian-style flair.

Aarti’s sloppy joes feature lean ground turkey in a ginger-spiced tomato sauce. Just before serving, she tops each sandwich with crunchy pistachios and chewy raisins for extra texture in this hearty dish. Be sure to toast the buns before serving, as that will help the sandwich maintain its structure.

Put a wholesome twist on these meaty sandwiches! These cafeteria-style sloppy joes have all the flavor of the sandwich you grew up on, but they're made with extra-lean beef and whole wheat buns. For an extra serving of fiber, sneak some red or pinto beans in there, too!

Put a spicy spin on sloppy joes by replacing ground beef with fiery chorizo. Mexican beer, pickled jalapeños and fresh tomato puree contribute even more flavor to these Southwestern-inspired sandwiches. If the heat feels too intense, add a dollop of sour cream to cool the dish down.

Thanks to your slow cooker, sloppy joes have never been easier! Simply combine ground beef, tomato sauce, a few veggies and seasonings, then let it cook for a few hours. It’s the ideal method for a busy day or a big game.

Dishes kids are sure to love, like sloppy joes, can be a great vehicle to introduce new flavors. These lighter sloppy joes, made with ground chicken, are spiced with garam masala and turmeric and sweetened with a bit of honey. Serve on whole wheat buns for a wholesome, family-friendly meal.

Add tons of flavor to your sloppy joes with Korean-inspired ingredients, like gochugang and fresh ginger. The real highlight is the quick kimchi cucumbers, which kick up the sandwiches to the next level! The cucumbers lend a pop of freshness and color, which transform these sandwiches into five-star flavor bombs.

More than 800 five-star reviews prove just how amazing Rachael's sloppy joes are. While the flavor, deepened by additions like red wine vinegar and Worcestershire sauce, is top-notch, the true highlight is that they'll be on the table in just 25 minutes. Serve with your favorite sides — and plenty of napkins, too!

This is the perfect sloppy joe for little hands, but with a flavor both kids and adults will love. Have helpers in the kitchen? Let little ones measure out the vegetables. Older kids can help stir the meat and assemble the sliders.

Two comfort foods combine for the best of both worlds! Katy uses onion and both red and green bell peppers in her sloppy joe mixture, just like in a classic Philly cheesesteak! Don't skimp on the Provolone, either!

Tyler uses ground turkey, not beef, in his super sloppy joes. Once the meat is browned, he adds in both ketchup and mustard for a sweet-tangy flavor that everyone will love. Don’t skip the homemade pickles — they add an excellent crunch!

Make your sloppy joes a tad neater by following Molly's lead and stuffing them in pita pockets. She prepares her sloppy joe with turkey, harissa, preserved lemon and crushed tomatoes for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor that's a welcome addition to any event. Add pickles and feta just before serving for maximum deliciousness!

Inspired by the iconic Cincinnati chili, these sloppy joes feature ground turkey, Worcestershire sauce and apple pie spice. Just like the chili, each sandwich should be topped with chopped onions and shredded sharp Cheddar before digging in.

You won’t miss the meat in Katie’s vegetarian sandwich. She incorporates onion, peppers, tomato sauce, brown sugar and a touch of apple cider vinegar for tons of crave-worthy flavor. If you want to cut down the cook time for busy weeknights, swap the dried lentils for canned, instead.

Busy moms, this one's for you! This is Molly’s twist on a classic sloppy joe inspired by Chinese black bean noodles that use a flavorful, fermented black bean garlic sauce. Not only do these have loads of depth, but they’re quick, easy and Molly loves that she doesn’t have to cut up Ira’s food when she makes these; it’s a rare occasion to start eating dinner when everyone else does.

Mushrooms make these kicked-up sloppy joes ultra-meaty. But there's no meat here, making this vegan sandwich one of the lightest sloppy Joes you'll probably ever make. In addition to the mushrooms, chopped walnuts add more texture that makes these sandwiches a joy to eat, vegan or not!