To all the parents out there juggling a million things at once and friends eager to lend a hand, we’ve got a delightful solution for your dinnertime dilemmas. Picture sinking your teeth into an Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe – a classic, hearty dish that oozes comfort and nostalgia. The best part? It’s now available as a freezer meal, ready to rescue you on those busy days.

Life often feels like a whirlwind, with schedules packed to the brim and precious little time to spare. From soccer practice, to piano and viola recitals, there is often very little time to think about dinner. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice a delicious, homemade meal.

With our Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe freezer meal, you can have the rich, savory-sweet goodness of Sloppy Joes without the stress of starting from scratch.

Here’s how it works: our recipe captures the essence of this beloved family favorite, combining ground beef, aromatic onions, tangy ketchup, and a secret blend of spices that will transport you straight back to your childhood. The result? A mouthwatering, slightly messy sandwich filling that’s as satisfying as it is comforting.

What makes this freezer meal so incredible is its convenience. You can prepare a batch in advance, portion it out, and have it at your fingertips whenever you need a quick, fuss-free dinner. No more frantic last-minute grocery store runs or resorting to takeout on hectic evenings.

Whether you’re a parent looking for a convenient meal solution or a friend hoping to lend a helping hand, our Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe freezer meal is your ticket to mealtime simplicity and smiles around the table.

Why You’ll love this Make-Ahead Sloppy Joe Recipe

Quick and Easy Prep
Family Friendly
Make-Ahead Convenience
Customizable
Little Clean Up
Comfort Food

Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe Freezer Meal Recipe

Hannah Stewart

With our Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe Freezer Meal, you can have the rich, savory-sweet goodness of Sloppy Joes without the stress of starting from scratch.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings

Equipment

1 Slow Cooker or Crock Pot
1 High speed blender or food processor
1 gallon freezer bag

Ingredients

2 lbs ground beef
1 small yellow onion
1 green bell pepper diced
1/2 cup carrots shredded

Sloppy Joe Sauce (Blend Together):

6 oz tomato paste
2 tbsp raw honey
2 tbsp chili powder
3 garlic cloves or 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp dijon mustard
1 tsp salt
2/3 cup water

For Serving

4-6 buns

Instructions

Freezer Prep Directions:

Prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to your preferred method.
Add sauce ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. (You may have to scrap sides once or twice).
Add all ingredients, except for serving, to labeled gallon freezer bag.
Seal bag, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to three months.

Slow Cooker Directions:

Thaw freezer bag in fridge 12-24 hours before cooking.
Add freezer bag contents into slow cooker.
Cook on low 5-6 hours. (Do not stir)
After cooking, break up the meat in the slow cooker and stir to combine.
Serve in your favorite bun and enjoy!

Instant Pot Directions

Dump the contents of the freezer bag into the Instant Pot, add 1/2 cup water.
Set to High Pressure for 15 minutes, then allow a 10-minute natural release followed by a quick release.
After cooking, break up the meat in the slow cooker and stir to combine.
Serve in your favorite bun and enjoy!

Dietary Adjustments

Make it Gluten-Free:

This recipe is naturally gluten-free.

Make it Dairy-Free:

This recipe is naturally dairy-free.

Freezer Labels

Sloppy Joe Freezer Meal Printable Label

Notes

If you like a little extra heat or kick add in some hot sauce to your sandwich or the meat when cooking.
If you do not have fresh garlic use 1 tsp garlic powder as a substitute.
You can sub out hot sauce for the dijon mustard if desired.
This recipe is super family-friendly and so full of flavor! The cinnamon is optional but highly recommended.

Keyword crockpot dinners, Healthy Sloppy Joe Recipe, Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe Recipe

Equipment Needed to Make Freezer Friendly Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe

1 Slow Cooker or Crock Pot
1 High speed blender or food processor
1 gallon freezer bag

Ingredients for your Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe

2 lbs Ground beef
1 cup Frozen onion diced or 1 small onion fresh
1 Green bell pepper diced
1/2 cup Carrots Shredded
Sloppy Joe Sauce (Blend Together):
6 oz Tomato paste
2 tbsp Raw honey
2 tbsp Chili powder
3 Garlic cloves or 1 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp Salt
2/3 cup Water
For Serving:
4-6 Buns

How to Make an Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe Recipe

Prep/Freezer Directions:

Label freezer bag with recipe name, cooking from frozen directions and expiration date (todays date plus three months).
Add sauce ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. (You may have to scrap sides once or twice).
Add all ingredients to labeled gallon freezer bag.
Store in freezer for up to three months.

Cooking Directions:

Thaw overnight in fridge or in the morning in some warm water (meal may not be 100% thawed but that is ok).
Add freezer bag contents into slow cooker.
Cook on low 5-6 hours. (May need an extra 30 minutes if completely frozen when placed in slow cooker).
Mince up the meat in the slow cooker and stir once cooked.
Serve in your favorite bun and enjoy!

NOTES

If you like a little extra heat or kick add in some hot sauce to your sandwich or the meat when cooking.
If you do not have fresh garlic use 1 tsp garlic powder as a substitute.
You can sub out hot sauce for the dijon mustard if desired.
This recipe is super family-friendly and so full of flavor! The cinnamon is optional but highly recommended.

What to Serve/Pair with your Family-Friendly Sloppy Joe Freezer Meal

Sides:

Crispy Potato Wedges
Creamy Coleslaw
Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

Desserts:

Chocolate Fudge Brownies
Apple Crisp
Peach Cobbler

Mocktails:

Minty Raspberry Mocktail
Sparkling Cucumber Lemonade
Virgin Pina Colada

Popular Substitutions and Additions

Substitutions:

Ground Turkey: You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner option. It will still provide a delicious protein base for your Sloppy Joes.
Red Bell Pepper: If you prefer a sweeter and slightly different flavor, replace the green bell pepper with a red bell pepper in your recipe.
Brown Sugar: Instead of raw honey, you can use brown sugar to add sweetness to your Sloppy Joe sauce. It complements the savory flavors nicely.

Additions:

Black Beans: Add a can of drained and rinsed black beans to the mixture for extra fiber, texture, and a hint of smokiness. It’s a great way to make your Sloppy Joes heartier.
Hot Sauce: For a bit of heat and extra flavor, incorporate a dash of your favorite hot sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes into the Sloppy Joe sauce. Adjust the amount to your desired spice level.
Worcestershire Sauce: A splash of Worcestershire sauce can enhance the umami and depth of flavor in your Sloppy Joe sauce. It’s a classic addition that complements the sweetness and tanginess.

These substitutions and additions allow you to customize your Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe to your taste preferences while still maintaining the essence of this classic comfort food. Enjoy experimenting with these variations!

How to Reheat and Store Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes after cooking

Best way to store Homemade Sloppy Joe Dinner leftovers?

Dinner’s done, and you find yourself with some Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe leftovers. No need to stress, we’ve got you covered with some smart storage tips to ensure your Sloppy Joes taste just as amazing tomorrow or the next day.

To begin, allow your Sloppy Joe to cool down to room temperature after cooking, but be sure not to leave it out for more than 2 hours to prevent any unwanted bacteria. Once it’s reached the ideal temperature, transfer your meal to an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag and place it in the fridge.

To lock in that delicious flavor, make sure to remove as much air as possible. And for convenient freshness tracking, create a simple label with the preparation date on the container or bag.

With these steps, your Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe leftovers will be just as delightful the second time around!

How long will Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes last in the fridge?

With the correct method of cooling and storing, you can extend the freshness of your Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe leftovers for approximately 4 to 5 days.

Can I freeze Quick and Easy Sloppy Joes after cooking?

Wondering about freezing your Old Fashioned Absolutely, you can, and here’s the right method to ensure they stay just as tasty. Start by allowing your Sloppy Joe mixture to cool completely after cooking.

Once it’s cooled down, divide the leftovers into portion-sized servings that you plan to reheat later. This makes it easier to thaw and reheat only what you need. You can either place each portion in individual freezer bags or use airtight containers.

Carefully ladle the cooled Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe into your chosen containers, leaving some space at the top to accommodate expansion as it freezes. If you opt for freezer bags, ensure you remove excess air before sealing to prevent freezer burn.

Don’t forget to label each bag with the date and a brief description for easy identification. Now, simply place those labeled bags or containers in the freezer. Your Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe leftovers will maintain their quality for a generous 2-3 months in the freezer.

If you are aiming to make this recipe a raw freezer meal, go ahead and add all of the sauce ingredients into a blender, and blend until smooth. Add all ingredients into a freezer bag, remove as much air as possible from your bag, then seal, and freeze for 3-6 months. Use at your convenience for an incredible raw freezer meal.

How to Reheat Sloppy Joe Leftovers?

Reheating your Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe freezer meal is a breeze. If your meal was frozen, start by allowing it to thaw completely. There are three effective thawing methods to choose from: overnight in the fridge, submerging the freezer bag in cold water, or using the microwave’s defrost setting for a gradual thaw. Once your meal is properly thawed, you can reheat it using any of these three approaches:

Stovetop Reheating: Heat a skillet over medium heat, add the thawed Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe, and stir occasionally until it’s heated through.
Microwave Reheating: If you’re in a hurry, the microwave comes to the rescue. Place the thawed Sloppy Joe on a microwave-safe plate and heat it in 30-second intervals until it’s warmed through.

Always ensure that the Sloppy Joe is fully reheated by using a food thermometer to confirm an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. These reheating methods make enjoying your Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe meal a quick and convenient process.

Make-Ahead Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe Recipe FAQs

Do Sloppy Joes freeze well?

Yes, sloppy Joes freeze quite well when properly stored. Their saucy nature and flavorful ingredients allow them to maintain their taste and texture when frozen and reheated. Ensuring that you follow the right freezing and thawing techniques will help preserve the quality and texture while still having an amazing flavor profile.

How did the food Sloppy Joe get its name?

The origin of the name “Sloppy Joe” is a subject of debate, but one popular theory suggests that it was named after a cook named Joe in Sioux City, Iowa, who created the original sandwich. Another theory relates to a bar in Key West, Florida, called, “Sloppy Joe’s,” where the sandwich became very popular.

How long will Sloppy Joe keep in the refrigerator?

Sloppy Joes can be stored in the refrigerator for about 4-5 days. It is essential to refrigerate them promptly after serving and use them within this timeframe to ensure food safety and quality. Make sure to properly store and cool your food to maintain its quality and texture.

What did Sloppy Joe originate from?

The exact origin of The Sloppy Joe sandwich is still debated, but it likely emerged in the United States in the early 20th century. It may have roots in various regional sandwiches and culinary traditions, as the meal has gone through changes through time.

What is Sloppy Joe supposed to taste like?

A Sloppy Joe is supposed to taste like a delicious blend of savory, slightly sweet, and tangy flavors. The sauce is rich and tomato based, with a balance of different spices, creating a distinctive and comforting taste. The sloppy Joe is considered to be an extremely popular comfort food item that brings nostalgia to many people.

What goes well with a Sloppy Joe?

Sloppy Joe typically pairs well with various side dishes including lots of BBQ favorites, like, coleslaw, potato salad, pickles, or a side of crispy french friends. These accompaniments complement the sandwiches flavors and texture profiles.

What’s the difference between a Sloppy Joe and Sloppy Jane?

A sloppy Joe typically consists of ground beef in a tomato based sauce, while a Sloppy Jane is a vegetarian or vegan version made with meal alternatives like tofu or tempeh. The key difference between Sloppy Joe and Sloppy Jane lies in the choice of protein that is used in the recipe.

What food category would Sloppy Joe be a part of? Comfort Food?

Sloppy Joes are indeed considered a part of the comfort food category. They are known for their satisfying and nostalgic appeal, making them a beloved comfort food choice for many. You can often find Sloppy Joes being often enjoyed during Backyard BBQ’s and large group gatherings.

How do you describe a Sloppy Joe to someone?

A Sloppy Joe is a hearty and savory sandwich made with ground beef or other ground meats, cooked in a seasoned tomato-based sauce, typically served on a hamburger bun. It’s known for its messy and flavorful nature, hence the “sloppy” in its name.