Make-Your-Own Sloppy Joe Mix: A Delicious Pantry Staple for Quick Family Meals
Sloppy Joes are a beloved classic—tangy, savory, and satisfyingly messy. But if you’ve ever glanced at the ingredient list on a store-bought seasoning packet or canned sauce, you know they’re often loaded with preservatives, mystery ingredients, and far more sugar than necessary. Luckily, it’s easy to make your own homemade Sloppy Joe mix using pantry staples that you can feel good about feeding your family.
This recipe creates a flavorful dry mix that stores perfectly in a pint jar. When you’re ready for dinner, simply brown your meat, add the mix and a few common wet ingredients, and simmer it into a thick, saucy filling perfect for sandwiches, stuffed potatoes, or even pasta. Bonus: it’s faster than takeout and far more customizable.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Sloppy Joe Mix
Sloppy Joes are nostalgic comfort food at its finest, but they don’t have to come from a can. This dry seasoning blend allows you to make a hearty, homemade version without any fuss. It stores beautifully in a pint-sized jar (16 oz) and makes enough mix for multiple meals—just scoop out what you need.
Even better? It’s free from preservatives, you control the spice level, and it’s way more affordable than store-bought. Whether you’re feeding a crowd, meal prepping, or just trying to put dinner on the table quickly, this recipe is a game-changer.
Ingredients You’ll Need for the Dry Mix
Onion Powder
Gives the mix its foundational savory flavor—no need to chop fresh onions.
Garlic Powder
Adds depth and warmth to the overall taste profile.
Paprika
Contributes both rich color and a subtle smokiness.
Chili Powder
Adds classic Sloppy Joe tang with a mild kick.
Salt
Essential for bringing out all the other flavors in the mix.
Pepper
Balances the sweetness of the sauce with a little heat.
Cayenne
Optional but great if you like a bit of spicy heat in your Joes.
This dry blend is designed to mimic that iconic flavor you know and love—without the preservatives and with a lot more flexibility.
How to Use the Sloppy Joe Mix
To make a batch of Sloppy Joes, you’ll need:
- 1 pound ground meat (beef, turkey, or even lentils for a plant-based version)
- 1/3 cup dry mix
- Tomato paste
- Broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable)
- Dijon mustard
- Ketchup
- Brown sugar
- Worcestershire sauce
After browning your meat, you simply add the mix and tomato paste, pour in the broth, and stir in the remaining ingredients. Let it simmer until thickened, then pile it onto toasted buns or spoon it over rice or baked potatoes. Dinner: done.
Label Your Jars!
This recipe is printed on a dishwasher-safe label made for the lids of mason jars! Each label has the recipe to refill the jar and make the item (if applicable).
You can buy each label individually, or a pack of all of the pantry labels in my website shop.
Why This Mix Is a Meal Prep Win
This homemade Sloppy Joe mix is perfect for busy families, budget-conscious shoppers, or anyone trying to cut down on processed foods. Since it stores in a jar for months, you can make it ahead and have it ready for quick dinners or last-minute guests. You can also double or triple the batch for gifting or stocking your long-term pantry.
And if you’re feeding picky eaters? No problem. Adjust the cayenne or leave it out entirely. Prefer a smoky BBQ twist? Add a touch of smoked paprika. The blend is super versatile.
Check Out My Cookbook, From Scratch!
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Check Out The Pantry Labels
In 2024, I released a set of Pantry Labels with recipes that are dishwasher-safe and fit the lids of mason jars perfectly.
Each labels has the recipe to refill the dry mix jar, as well as the recipe to make the item if applicable.
Sloppy Joes Seasoning Mix
Ingredients
To make Dry Mix
- 6 tablespoons onion powder
- 4 tablespoons garlic powder
- 6 tablespoons paprika
- 4 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
To Make Sloppy Joes
- 1/3 cup dry mix
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup broth
- 2 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 1 lb meat or meatless substitute
Instructions
To Make Dry Mix:
- Mix the Dry Ingredients. In a medium bowl, combine the onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Stir until the mixture is well blended.
- Store the Seasoning. Use a funnel to transfer the seasoning mix into a clean, dry 16 oz pint jar or other airtight container. Label the jar and store it in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.
To Make Sloppy Joes
- Brown 1 pound of ground meat in a skillet over medium heat. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Sprinkle 1/3 cup of your homemade dry mix over the meat. Add 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and stir to coat.
- Pour in 1 cup of broth (beef, chicken, or veggie) to the pan and stir well to deglaze the bottom and create the sauce base.
- Mix in 1 cup of ketchup, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine.
- Let the mixture simmer for 10–15 minutes or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture onto toasted hamburger buns, sandwich rolls, or baked potatoes and enjoy a hearty, homemade meal.
