Sloppy Joes with Tomato Soup
Have a can of tomato soup? You can make sloppy joes in 20 minutes with this simple recipe.
These Sloppy Joes with Tomato Soup are the type of dinner I grew up on, with a can of tomato soup and a few pantry staples stirred right into the ground beef to create a one-skillet meal.
The tomato soup gives it that nostalgic flavor, and the rest of the ingredients come together in a sauce that’s little sweet, a little tangy, and perfect for piling onto soft buns.
I’m partial to brioche buns for this recipe. I like spreading a thin layer of mayo on the buns and broiling them to get a little crispiness on the edges (a nice contrast to the saucy beef, in my opinion).
However you serve them, these Sloppy Joes are an easy, no-fuss dinner that always hits the spot.
What You’ll Need
- You can use any ground beef that you like (80%, 85%, 90%). I typically drain it if I’m using one with a higher fat content. You can also use ground turkey (that’s called a sloppy jane!).
- The type of vinegar is flexible. White vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and surprisingly even balsamic vinegar work here. We just want to add a little acidity to offset the sweetness of the ketchup and brown sugar.
- You do not need to add water to the condensed tomato soup. Just dump it straight from the can.
How to Make Sloppy Joes with Tomato Soup
- Cook the ground beef and onion in a large skillet until cooked through, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain if you like.
- Add the tomato soup, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, worcestershire sauce, water, and salt. Simmer for 10 minutes. Pile onto buns and enjoy!
Optional but Encouraged: Toasting the Buns
Just like with my Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes, I highly recommend toasting the buns! It creates a bit of crunch on the edges that nicely contrasts with the saucy meat and squishy bun. To do so, spread the buns with a thin layer of mayo (my preference) or butter. Broil in the oven until toasted.
Sloppy Joe Toppings & Variations
- Try a few pickle slices on top of the meat.
- Sliced white onion or red onion are delicious too.
- Place a slice of cheese on top of the meat and broil until melty.
- Want some heat? Try pickled jalapeños or banana pepper rings.
- Coleslaw is a great side dish for sloppy joes but it’s quite good piled inside the sandwich too.
- Forget the buns and spoon the meat over a baked potato. Top with shredded cheese and sour cream. Yum!
Freezing and Storing
Any leftovers will keep in the fridge for about a week. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Cook once eat twice! This is one of those meals where you can easily enjoy half now and freeze the other half for later. The meat will keep in the freezer for up to three months.
📖 Recipe
Sloppy Joes with Tomato Soup
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- 1 can tomato soup (10¾ oz; do not add water)
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- To serve: sandwich buns
Instructions
- Place 2 lbs ground beef and ¼ cup chopped onion in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until browned, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
- Drain if you’d like, then add 1 can tomato soup, ¼ cup water, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons vinegar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Serve on buns or over baked potatoes.
Comments
No Comments