Brown Sugar and Bacon Sloppy Joes — the classic American sandwich becomes even more irresistible with crispy bacon and rich brown sugar. These sloppy joes combine sweet and tangy flavors for a truly finger-licking meal.
This easy meal takes under 30 minutes and is sure to be a family favorite for lunch or dinner. The bacon contributes a smoky, salty note while the brown sugar adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness.
Sloppy Joes are one of the simplest weeknight dinners — pantry-friendly and economical. A pound of ground beef stretches to feed a family of four. Scroll down for additional Sloppy Joe variations.
How To Make Brown Sugar and Bacon Sloppy Joes
- Cook the bacon until crisp, then remove and set aside.
- Sauté the onion and bell pepper in the reserved bacon grease (leave about 1 tablespoon).
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned; drain any excess fat if needed.
- Stir in the spices, tomato sauce, tomato paste, soy sauce, and brown sugar, then simmer until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld. Stir the bacon back in before serving.
Recipe Tips
For extra richness, place a slice of American cheese on each sandwich just before serving.
If you like heat, add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
Use 85% lean ground beef for a good balance of flavor and fat. You can substitute leaner ground beef or ground turkey if preferred.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.
This recipe doubles easily. Freeze leftover filling in freezer bags for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
More Sloppy Joe Recipes
- Crock Pot Sloppy Joes
- Root Beer Sloppy Joes
- Vegetarian Sloppy Joes
- Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese
- Sloppy Joe French Bread Pizza
- Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
- Sloppy Joe Potato Skins
Brown Sugar Bacon Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 1/4 pounds ground beef (85% lean)
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/3 cups tomato sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- Toasted buns for serving
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a large nonstick skillet until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease. Add the onion and red bell pepper and cook 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
- Add the ground beef, break it into pieces, and cook until browned.
- Stir in paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, dry mustard, and black pepper.
- Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Simmer about 5 minutes to thicken, adding a splash of water if the mixture becomes too thick.
- Stir the cooked bacon back into the meat mixture and serve on toasted buns.
Notes
Make it spicy by adding 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
For extra richness, top each sandwich with a slice of American cheese.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation.
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