Forget those cans of Manwich sloppy joe sauce; my mom’s homemade sloppy joes recipe is just as easy to follow and sixty-four times better, especially since there are a lot of vegetables in this homemade, ground hamburger-ed, comfort food, beef-ey sandwich. Remember the days when licking your plate was encouraged? They still are. And your fingers, and your chin too. This recipe was first posted on the FoodieCrush blog in the early days. I’ve made it so many times that I thought it needed a little update. It’s totally worthy. As a child, Sloppy Joes was one of my favorite meals. I still remember sneaking bites of this burger and vegetable mix as it simmered on the stove and getting the same “take a bite, then burn the top of my mouth, oh no, it’s now become a blister” feeling. As an adult, I can hear my mom telling me to “leave it alone or there won’t be anything left for the rest of us to eat.” ” Guilty as charged. But, sorry mom, I still can’t help myself. If you like simple recipes like this one, my mom will tell you it’s okay to taste test as you go. And I’m here to attest, the top-of-the-mouth-blisters are totally worth it.
Sloppy joes are a classic American sandwich that is beloved by kids and adults alike. Their saucy, flavorful filling sandwiched between soft burger buns is the perfect casual dinner or party food. When making sloppy joes for a crowd, it can be tricky to figure out exactly how much ground beef you need to buy and prepare. This article will walk you through how to determine the right amount of ground beef when making sloppy joes for 30 people.
Calculating The Amount Of Meat Per Sandwich
The first step is calculating how much ground beef is needed per sloppy joe sandwich Most recipes call for using 1/2 cup of sloppy joe filling per sandwich when served on a regular sized hamburger bun This equates to around 2,5 ounces of ground beef per sandwich,
However, the exact amount can vary a bit based on factors like
- Bun size – smaller buns need less filling than large buns
- Filling preferences – some like saucier, wetter filling vs drier filling
- Side dishes – more sides may mean less filling needed
A good rule of thumb is to estimate 2-3 ounces of ground beef per sandwich if serving on average sized hamburger buns
Figuring Out Number Of Sandwiches Needed
Next, estimate how many sandwiches you need to make for 30 people.
In most cases, planning for 1.5 sloppy joe sandwiches per person will provide enough food. Some people may eat 2 sandwiches while others may opt for 1 or none.
So for 30 people:
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30 people x 1.5 sandwiches per person = 45 sandwiches
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If using 2 ounces ground beef per sandwich:
- 45 sandwiches x 2 ounces = 90 ounces ground beef
- 90 ounces = approximately 5.5 pounds ground beef
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If using 3 ounces per sandwich:
- 45 sandwiches x 3 ounces = 135 ounces ground beef
- 135 ounces = approximately 8.5 pounds ground beef
So for 30 people, you’ll need 5.5 – 8.5 pounds of ground beef depending on the amount of meat per sandwich.
Tips For Serving A Crowd
Here are some additional tips when making sloppy joes for a large group:
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Round up to the next full pound when purchasing meat to ensure you have enough
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Make extra filling and have extra buns on hand. Leftovers can be frozen.
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Offer slider sized buns or other small bun options to reduce the amount of filling needed per person
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Provide lots of toppings like cheese, onions, pickles to add flavor and fill up sandwiches
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Serve substantial side dishes like salads, chips, and slaw to help fill people up
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Use a large slow cooker or roasting pan to easily cook a large batch of filling
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Make filling ahead and reheat gently before serving
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Keep warm in a slow cooker or chafing dish if serving over an extended period
Sample Shopping List
Here is an example shopping list for sloppy joes for 30 people:
- 8-9 pounds ground beef
- 3 cans sloppy joe sauce
- Hamburger buns (45-50 count)
- Shredded cheese, onions, pickles, etc. for toppings
- Chips, coleslaw, fruit salad, etc. for side dishes
Figuring out the right amount of ground beef for sloppy joes for a crowd doesn’t have to be a guessing game. By planning for 1.5 sandwiches per person and 2-3 ounces of meat per sandwich, you can easily calculate how much ground beef to purchase and prepare sloppy joes for any sized gathering. With a few simple serving tips, you can feed a crowd without a hitch!
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Can I Add in Other Veggies?
This recipe calls for sautéed onions, bell pepper, and mushrooms. But you could always add more diced or minced beans or vegetables, and most likely no one would even notice. Think of things like
- Butternut squash
- Zucchini
- Yellow squash
- Eggplant
- Lentils or white beans
- Chopped cabbage
- Chopped leafy greens such as spinach or kale
Homemade Sloppy Joes Ingredients
The homemade sloppy joe sauce and sandwiches come together in no time and require very few ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy sloppy joe recipe:
- Ground beef
- Yellow onion
- Celery
- Green pepper
- Canned mushrooms
- Condensed tomato soup
- Garlic powder
- Kosher salt and pepper
- Hamburger buns
- Cheddar cheese
No matter what the recipe says, I always double the amount of mushrooms. In this case, I always use canned mushrooms. You could use fresh mushrooms, but my mom always used canned, so I used two cans of mushrooms in this recipe instead of one. They’re my favorite part. But maybe the easiest and most important thing that gives this sloppy joe recipe its flavor is a can of Campbell’s condensed tomato soup, which reminds us of our childhood. This tomato sauce has just the right amount of sweetness to bring all the flavors together.
How to Make Your Favorite Childhood Sloppy Joes
FAQ
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