How to make your own sloppy joe mix

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Just about every American has had Sloppy Joes—and loves Sloppy Joes. They gained popularity as comfort food in the 1950s and even made their way into school lunchrooms.

Legend has it that a cook named Joe at Floyd Angell's Cafe in Sioux City, Iowa got creative and added tomato sauce to what were then called "loose meat" sandwiches, which were ground beef and onions mixed and browned, served on a bun and sometimes topped with mustard and ketchup.

So this iconic American sandwich was born. The ingredients vary depending on personal taste, but they nearly always include ground beef and onions, plus tomato sauce or ketchup, mustard, and seasonings.

This recipe was taken from "The Complete Make-A-Mix Cookbook" by Karine Eliason.

• 1 tablespoon dried minced onion

• 1 teaspoon dried green pepper flakes

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

• 1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic

• 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

• 1/4 teaspoon celery seed

• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder

1. Gather the ingredients.

   The Spruce / Loren Runion

2. Combine the onion, green pepper flakes, salt, cornstarch, garlic, dry mustard, celery seed, and chili powder in a small bowl and mix until evenly distributed.

   The Spruce / Loren Runion

3. Spoon the mixture onto a resealable airtight bag or container. Store in a cool, dry place and use within 6 months; this recipe can be multiplied easily. 

   The Spruce / Loren Runion

How Do I Use Sloppy Joe Spice Mix?

There are many ways to make sloppy Joes. Here's one version that includes many ingredients. If you have seasoning mix, you can skip most of the seasonings listed. Serve on warmed hamburger buns; buy the larger size since these sandwiches are not named "sloppy" for nothing.

It's handy to have homemade spice mix for sloppy Joes on hand for a super quick dinner on a weeknight. Add a green salad or steamed vegetables, and everyone will be satisfied with very little effort on the cook's part. 

Recipe Variations

• Additions include vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, and green bell peppers.
• Some people prefer to use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef, and those who are vegetarians who don't want to miss out on this old standby use vegetable protein made to mimic the texture of ground beef.
• Use your imagination and consider your family's taste preferences. It's all up to you.

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