American · Dinner
Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes for about $4.03 a serving: a 15-minute dinner for 4, 590 kcal per serving, with every ingredient priced.
- Per serving
- $4.03
- Whole dinner
- $16.12
- Time
- 15 min
- Calories
- 590
Ingredients
- 1.25 lbGround beef$7.80
- 1/2Onion$0.52
- 1 canSloppy joe sauce$2.40
- 4Burger buns$2.80
- 1 packColeslaw mix$2.60
- Total for 4 servings$16.12
Most of the cost is ground beef ($7.80) and burger buns ($2.80). With oil, spices and staples already at home, the shop drops to about $10.92. Prices are estimated for the amount used, at average US grocery prices (November 2026).
Steps
- Finely dice the onion and open the burger buns so they are ready for toasting.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and onion, breaking up the beef into small crumbles with a spatula, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until no pink remains and the meat reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Carefully tilt the skillet and spoon off any excess rendered grease, then return the pan to medium heat.
- Pour in the sloppy joe sauce and stir thoroughly to coat the beef. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes until thick and glossy.
- Place the split burger buns cut-side down in a separate dry skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly browned and toasted.
- Set the bottom buns on plates, spoon the warm sloppy joe beef generously over each base, and top each with a handful of the coleslaw mix.
- Cap each sandwich with the toasted top bun and serve immediately while hot and crunchy.
