Best Sloppy Joes Ever

🍔 The BEST Sloppy Joes Ever (Yes, With Rice—and Yes, You’ll Love It!)

Hold onto your buns, folks—because we’re about to flip the Sloppy Joe game upside down and shake out all the boring bits. If you’ve ever turned your nose up at a Sloppy Joe, this recipe is your redemption arc. It’s sweet, tangy, hearty, and has a surprise twist that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance: rice! Yup, rice. In your Sloppy Joe. And it’s everything.
Whether you’re feeding a hungry crew of kiddos, hosting a casual backyard bash, or just craving something that feels like a warm hug in sandwich form, this recipe is your new go-to. It’s fast, it’s easy, and it’s got that nostalgic flavor with a little Lou Lou Girls sass.

This week I have been trying to post some of my kids favorite meals and this is two of my girls favorite! Cassie will come home to eat if I have this ready and Lisa requested this for the day she was baptized on red buns(red is her favorite color and everything was red)!

Best Sloppy Joes Ever

Ingredients:

2 pounds of hamburger
2 cans of chicken gumbo soup
11/2 cups ketchup
11/2 Tablespoons mustard
1/2 cup onion

Best Sloppy Joes Ever

Directions:

On a medium heat cook hamburger and onion until meat is brown
drain grease off meat
add soup, ketchup and mustard to meat and stir
simmer on low for 30 minutes

Yes! You have rice in your Sloppy Joes but it is so good. Matter fact, if you never liked Sloppy Joes before, you will now!

🧮 Calorie Count & Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

Let’s break it down so you can feel good about what’s going in those buns:

Nutrient	Amount (Approx.)
Calories	320
Protein	22g
Carbohydrates	28g
Sugars	10g
Fat	15g
Saturated Fat	6g
Fiber	2g
Sodium	780mg

Serving size: 1 sandwich (on a standard hamburger bun)

🍳 Cooking Tips That’ll Make You Feel Like a Kitchen Rockstar

Drain that grease like a boss: After browning your hamburger and onions, don’t skip the draining step. It keeps your Sloppy Joes from turning into Sloppy Grease.
Simmer low and slow: That 30-minute simmer is where the magic happens. It lets all those flavors marry and mingle like the perfect potluck.
Soup surprise: Chicken gumbo soup might sound odd, but it’s the secret weapon here. It adds depth, a hint of spice, and yes—rice! Don’t question it. Just trust.
Toast your buns: A lightly toasted hamburger bun adds texture and keeps things from getting too soggy. Plus, it makes you look fancy.

🧪 Recipe Variations for the Adventurous Eater

Feeling spicy? Sweet? Extra cheesy? We got you.

Spicy Joe: Add a dash of hot sauce or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the mix.
Cheesy Joe: Stir in ½ cup of shredded cheddar during the last 5 minutes of simmering. Or melt it right on top before serving.
Sweet & Smoky Joe: Swap out regular ketchup for a smoky BBQ sauce and add a tablespoon of brown sugar.
Veggie Boost: Toss in chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, or even shredded carrots for a little veggie love.
Tex-Mex Twist: Add a teaspoon of taco seasoning and serve with a dollop of sour cream and chopped cilantro.

👶 Kid Tips: Because Tiny Tastebuds Matter

Serve it slider-style: Use mini buns or Hawaiian rolls for kid-sized portions that are easier to handle.
Make it a dip: Skip the bun and serve the Sloppy Joe mix with tortilla chips or veggie sticks for a fun finger-food dinner.
Sneaky veggies: Finely chop some carrots or zucchini and cook them with the onions. They’ll blend right in and boost nutrition without a single complaint.
DIY dinner: Let kids build their own Sloppy Joes. Set out toppings like shredded cheese, pickles, or even crushed chips for a fun, interactive meal.

💡 Why This Recipe Works (Even If You Think You Hate Sloppy Joes)

Let’s be real—Sloppy Joes have a reputation. They’re either cafeteria mush or childhood comfort food. But this version? It’s got layers. The chicken gumbo soup adds a subtle Cajun vibe, the ketchup and mustard bring that classic tang, and the rice gives it texture and heartiness that’ll surprise you in the best way.
It’s not just a sandwich. It’s a flavor bomb wrapped in nostalgia and sass.

🥳 Final Thoughts: Sloppy, Saucy, and Totally Satisfying

This isn’t just dinner—it’s a vibe. It’s the kind of meal that makes you want to lick your fingers and go back for seconds. It’s messy, it’s fun, and it’s got that LouLouGirls flair that turns a simple recipe into a full-blown experience.
Whether you’re feeding picky eaters, hungry teens, or just your own craving for comfort food, this Sloppy Joe recipe is the answer. And if you’ve never liked Sloppy Joes before? Honey, you’re about to change your mind.

💋 Conclusion: Sloppy Never Looked So Good

So go ahead—get a little messy. Toast those buns, pile on the goodness, and let this recipe remind you why simple food can still be fabulous. And don’t forget to snap a pic for the ‘gram. Tag us @LouLouGirls and show off your saucy masterpiece!
Now excuse me while I go make another batch… because one sandwich is never enough.