Sloppy Joes with Spicy Crispy Onions

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it takes a childhood classic and makes it even better. The beef mixture is savory, tangy, and just a little sweet, while the crispy onions add crunch and spice. I also like how customizable it is—sometimes I make it extra spicy, sometimes I keep it mild, but it always tastes amazing. These sandwiches are perfect for family dinners, casual get-togethers, or game day.

Ingredients

(Note: All ingredient amounts are listed in the recipe card below.)

For the Sloppy Joes:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 ½ pounds lean ground beef (90–95% fat)
1 large onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped (seeds and ribs removed)
3 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons Montreal Steak Seasoning (low-sodium)
¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional)
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
15 ounce can tomato sauce
5 tablespoons tomato paste (3 ounces)
6 toasted buns or rolls, for serving

For the spicy, crispy onions:
1 large sweet onion (like Vidalia), halved and thinly sliced
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional)
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Vegetable oil, for frying

Sloppy Joes with Spicy Crispy Onions

Directions

To make the Sloppy Joes:

  1. I heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil, and swirl to coat.

  2. I add the ground beef and cook, stirring often, until no pink remains.

  3. I stir in the onion and red bell pepper, cooking for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are crisp-tender.

  4. I add brown sugar, seasoning, cayenne, garlic powder, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, and tomato paste.

  5. I bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let it simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring frequently.

To make the crispy onions:

  1. I place the sliced onions in a bowl and pour buttermilk over them.

  2. In another bowl, I mix flour, cayenne, salt, and pepper.

  3. I line a platter with paper towels.

  4. I heat oil in a deep saucepan to 375°F.

  5. I drain a handful of onions slightly, toss them in the flour mixture, shake off the excess, and carefully add them to the hot oil.

  6. I fry until browned and crispy, about 2 minutes, then transfer them to the paper towels. I repeat until all onions are fried.

To serve:

I spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture onto toasted buns and pile crispy onions on top. I serve immediately while hot.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes 6 hearty sandwiches. Prep time is 30 minutes, cook time is 30 minutes, giving a total of 1 hour.

Variations

I sometimes swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. For extra flavor, I add diced jalapeños or chipotle peppers to the sauce. If I want a quicker meal, I skip the crispy onions and use store-bought fried onions. For a sweeter twist, I use yellow bell peppers instead of red.

Storage/Reheating

I store leftover Sloppy Joe mixture in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 30 days. To reheat, I simmer it on the stove over medium heat until hot. The crispy onions are best fresh, but I re-crisp them in the oven at 300°F for about 15 minutes.

FAQs

Can I make the Sloppy Joe filling ahead of time?

Yes, I often prepare the beef mixture a day ahead and reheat it before serving.

Can I freeze the Sloppy Joe filling?

Yes, it freezes well for up to 30 days. I thaw it overnight before reheating.

Do I have to make the crispy onions?

No, but I think they add amazing crunch and flavor. Store-bought crispy onions work too.

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, it works just as well, though the flavor is slightly lighter.

How spicy are the onions?

That depends on how much cayenne I add. I keep them mild or go bold depending on my mood.

Can I cook the onions in an air fryer?

Yes, I coat them lightly with oil and air fry at 375°F until golden and crispy.

What’s the best bread to use?

I like using sturdy sandwich rolls or brioche buns so they hold up to the saucy filling.

Can I add cheese?

Absolutely—melted cheddar or provolone on top is delicious.

How do I keep the buns from getting soggy?

I always toast them first, which makes a big difference.

What side dishes go well with this?

I usually serve with fries, coleslaw, or a fresh salad.

Conclusion

Sloppy Joes with Spicy Crispy Onions are a fun, hearty twist on the classic sandwich. The saucy, flavorful beef paired with the crunch of fried onions makes every bite satisfying. It’s messy, indulgent, and always a hit at the table—perfect for when I want comfort food with a kick.


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Sloppy Joes with Spicy Crispy Onions

Sloppy Joes with Spicy Crispy Onions

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  • Author: Amy
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 6 sandwiches
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop + Frying
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Halal

Description

Sloppy Joes with Spicy Crispy Onions take the classic comfort food sandwich to the next level with a saucy, savory beef mixture topped with golden, crunchy fried onions. Hearty, messy, and packed with flavor, it’s a perfect meal for family dinners or game day.


Ingredients

For the Sloppy Joes:

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1 ½ lbs lean ground beef (90–95% fat)

1 large onion, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped (seeds and ribs removed)

3 tbsp light brown sugar, packed

2 tbsp Montreal Steak Seasoning (low-sodium)

¼ tsp ground cayenne pepper (optional)

¼ tsp garlic powder

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

5 tbsp tomato paste (3 oz)

6 toasted buns or rolls

For the Spicy Crispy Onions:

1 large sweet onion (Vidalia), halved and thinly sliced

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp ground cayenne pepper (optional)

½ tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

Vegetable oil, for frying


Instructions

  1. Make the Sloppy Joes: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add ground beef and cook until no pink remains. Stir in onion and bell pepper, cooking 5 minutes until crisp-tender. Add brown sugar, seasoning, cayenne, garlic powder, lemon juice, Worcestershire, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 15–20 minutes, stirring frequently.
  2. Make the Crispy Onions: Soak sliced onions in buttermilk. In another bowl, mix flour, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Heat oil in a deep saucepan to 375°F (190°C). Drain onions slightly, dredge in flour mixture, shake off excess, and fry in batches until golden and crispy (about 2 minutes). Transfer to paper towels to drain.
  3. Assemble: Spoon Sloppy Joe mixture onto toasted buns and top with spicy crispy onions. Serve hot.

Notes

Swap ground beef with turkey or chicken for a lighter version.

Add diced jalapeños or chipotle peppers for extra heat.

Use store-bought fried onions for convenience.

Try yellow bell peppers for a sweeter sauce flavor.

Toast buns to prevent sogginess.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 sandwich
  • Calories: 560
  • Sugar: 13g
  • Sodium: 950mg
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 48g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 32g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg
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