Need to feed a lot of people (or a bunch of teens)? These sloppy joes are tasty, easy to make, and work well when made in large quantities. The recipe can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve. It also freezes well.
20 pounds of ground beef, 4 large onions, 4 large green bell peppers, 4 cups of chopped celery, 1 cup of packed brown sugar, 1 cup of spicy brown mustard, 4 cups of ketchup, 2 cans of tomato paste (12 ounces), 4 cans of tomato sauce (15 ounces), 6 cups of water, 1 cup of vinegar, and 2/3 cup of Worcestershire sauce.
Combine the beef, onions, bell peppers, and celery in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is no longer pink and the vegetables are soft. Drain off any excess grease. Add the brown sugar, mustard, ketchup, tomato paste, tomato sauce, water, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce to the beef. Mix well. Bring the mixture to a low simmer, cover, and let cook for 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until thick. If the sauce becomes too dry, add additional water. When ready to serve, spoon the mixture onto hamburger buns and serve immediately. The sloppy joe sauce can be made ahead of time and reheated.
Use a large pot or Dutch oven to accommodate the large quantity of ingredients. Stir the mixture frequently while cooking to prevent sticking and burning. Adjust the seasonings to taste, especially if youre making substitutions. Use lean ground beef to reduce the amount of grease you need to pour off. Try adding other vegetables like carrots or zucchini for added nutrition. To add a smoky flavor, include a bit of liquid smoke or smoked paprika. If serving to kids, you can make the mixture less spicy by reducing the mustard and Worcestershire sauce. For serving, keep the mixture warm in a large slow cooker or chafing dish. Offer a variety of buns, including whole wheat and gluten-free options, to cater to different dietary needs. Garnish with cheese, pickles, or jalapenos as desired.
Sloppy joes are an iconic American sandwich. With their saucy, seasoned ground beef filling and toasted bun, they make a satisfying and nostalgic meal. Sloppy joes are also a great dish for feeding a crowd Their easy preparation and handheld style makes them ideal for potlucks, family reunions, cookouts, and other large gatherings
But determining how much ground beef you need to make sloppy joes for 100 guests or more can be tricky. How do you calculate the right amount so there’s enough to go around without wasting food or money? Follow this handy guide to get a grip on how much ground beef to buy, prepare, and serve for a group sloppy joe feast.
How Much Meat Per Sloppy Joe?
A standard sloppy joe contains around 3-4 ounces of cooked ground beef. To determine the exact amount:
-
Check your recipe for ground beef quantities needed to make a set number of sloppy joes.
-
Weigh the meat patties or crumbles before cooking to see the raw weight per sandwich.
-
After cooking, weigh a sample sloppy joe to determine the cooked meat amount.
In general, an average bun holds about 1/4 pound or 4 ounces of meat and sauce. Know your crowd and adjust portions up or down as needed.
Ground Beef Guide for 100 Servings
Here are some estimated ground beef amounts needed for 100 sloppy joe servings:
-
100 sloppy joes x 3 ounces each = 300 ounces ground beef
-
300 ounces / 16 ounces per pound = 18-19 pounds ground beef
-
100 sloppy joes x 4 ounces each = 400 ounces ground beef
-
400 ounces / 16 ounces per pound = 25 pounds ground beef
Round up to the next full pound when purchasing meat. It’s better to have extra than run short for a big event.
Tips for Bulk Ground Beef
When buying ingredients for mass sloppy joe production:
-
Look for ground beef on sale and stock up. Freeze until needed.
-
Buy pre-formed burger patties to simplify cooking and portioning.
-
For the sauce, purchase gallon jugs of ketchup, canned tomato sauce and paste.
-
Get large containers of spices like chili powder and cumin.
-
Keep food safety in mind if holding sloppy joes at unsafe temperatures.
Cooking Methods for Big Batches
Cooking pounds of ground beef and making gallons of sauce can take some creativity.
-
Use huge stock pots on the stovetop or commercial cookers.
-
Cook meat in batches in a large skillet then combine later.
-
Slow cookers make an easy sauce but can’t brown large amounts of meat.
-
Roast beef in the oven then add to sauce and simmer.
-
Keep warm in chafing dishes or slow cookers for serving.
Serving Strategies
Keep logistics in mind when serving sloppy joes to a horde:
-
Set up buffet lines with sterno chafing dishes to keep food hot.
-
Provide disposable plates, napkins, and cutlery for easy cleanup.
-
Have extra bun packs available as backups.
-
Keep sauce and toppings stations tidy with serving utensils.
-
For large crowds, hand out tickets to pace the flow and ensure enough food.
-
Have volunteers ready to replenish serving dishes as needed.
Make It Memorable
Part of the fun of sloppy joes is customizing with favorite flavors and fixings. Offer variety with:
-
Condiments like mustard, ketchup, and mayo.
-
Cheese slices or shredded cheese.
-
Veggie toppings like lettuce, tomato, and onion.
-
Crunchy pickles, crispy fried onions, or potato chips.
-
Baked beans, coleslaw, or potato salad on the side.
With smart planning and bulk shopping, preparing piles of delicious sloppy joes is achievable for any gathering. Use these ground beef guidelines to ensure you have the right amount of meat on hand to satisfy even the hungriest hordes. Just keep plenty of napkins handy for these famously drippy sandwiches!
How can I make this recipe vegetarian?
For a vegetarian version, use a plant-based meat substitute or lentils.
What can I use instead of ketchup in the recipe?
To get the sour taste of ketchup, you can add a little sugar and vinegar to tomato sauce.
How to Make Sloppy Joes | Get Cookin’ | Allrecipes
FAQ
How many pounds of ground beef to feed 100 people?
|
FOOD
|
SERVE 25
|
SERVE 100
|
|
Meats
|
|
|
|
Hamburgers
|
6-1/2–9-1/2 pounds
|
26–30 pounds
|
|
Ham or roast beef
|
10 pounds
|
40 pounds
|
|
Hot dogs
|
4 pounds
|
13 pounds
|
How many pounds of ground beef per person for sloppy joes?
How many pounds of sloppy joes for 50?
How much does 10 pounds of ground beef feed?
How much ground beef does it take to make a sloppy joe?
To make Sloppy Joes for 100 people, you’ll need to purchase approximately 25 pounds of ground beef. Keep in mind that the other ingredients will help bulk up the meat and create a delicious and filling sandwich.
How to make sloppy joes?
“Very nice recipe for Sloppy Joes in a very large amount. (I only use 1/2 cup of the sugar and find that good)” In a Large dutch oven, brown the beef, onion, peppers and celery in batches until meat is browned. Remove with a slotted spoon to a large roaster. Add the next eight ingredients. Cover and simmer 3-4 hours. Serve on buns.
How to make sloppy joes for 100 people?
To make Sloppy Joes for 100 people, you will need 25 pounds of ground beef. For the vegetables, use 5 large onions, 5 large green bell peppers, and 5 cups of chopped celery. These vegetables can be chopped finely and added to the meat mixture as it cooks. Note that this passage only provides information on the ingredients and preparation for the Sloppy Joes, not the cooking instructions or serving suggestions.
How do you cook sloppy joe meat?
Brown Meat: Brown the ground beef over medium-high heat with onion and garlic. Drain any fat and add bell pepper if using. Simmer in Sauce: Add the sloppy joe sauce ingredients to the browned beef and simmer. Season with salt & pepper to taste. Serve on Buns: Toast the buns (add garlic butter if you’d like) and pile high with sloppy joe meat.