BBQ Cowboy Sloppy Joes
These BBQ Cowboy Sloppy Joes take a classic sloppy joe and load it up with smoky BBQ flavor, crispy bacon, pepper jack cheese, fried onions, and jalapeños. They’re messy, hearty, and packed with bold flavors that make them perfect for an easy family dinner.
The beef mixture comes together in just minutes, making this a great weeknight meal when you need something filling and satisfying. Serve them with chips, fries, or a simple side salad for a complete meal.
Love sloppy joes? Try these big mac sloppy joes, Korean sloppy joes, or sweet potato sloppy joes next.
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this BBQ Cowboy Sloppy Joes:
Ingredient Notes
Ground Beef: An 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef works best. If using a higher-fat beef, drain the excess grease after cooking.
BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite brand. Sweet, smoky, honey, or spicy BBQ sauces all work well.
Pepper Jack Cheese: Monterey Jack, cheddar, Colby Jack, or American cheese can be substituted for less heat.
Crispy Fried Onions: Store-bought fried onions add crunch and flavor.
Jalapeños: Remove the seeds for less heat, or use pickled jalapeños.
Brioche Buns: Hamburger buns, potato buns, or bakery rolls also work well.
Bacon: Cook it ahead of time for easier assembly. Thick-cut bacon adds extra texture and flavor.
Recipe Variations
Make It Milder: Skip the jalapeños and use Monterey Jack instead of pepper jack.
Add More Heat: Add diced jalapeños to the beef mixture or drizzle with hot sauce.
Change the Cheese or Make It Texas Style: Try cheddar, smoked gouda, or Colby Jack, and add pickle slices with extra BBQ sauce.
How To Make BBQ Cowboy Sloppy Joes: Step by Step
Here are quick visual instructions. Be sure to check out the full instructions with exact ingredients in the printable recipe card below.
Step 1: Cook the onions until softened, then add the ground beef and cook until browned.
Step 2: Stir in the seasonings, BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.
Step 3: Simmer the sloppy joe mixture until slightly thickened.
Step 4: Pile the beef mixture onto buns and top with cheese, bacon, jalapeños, and crispy onions.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Toast the buns before assembling for extra flavor and to help prevent them from getting soggy.
Cook the bacon ahead of time. If the sauce gets too thick, stir in a splash of water.
For extra cheesy sandwiches, use two slices of pepper jack per sandwich. Store the beef mixture for up to 3 days and assemble just before serving.
Storage Tips
Store leftover sloppy joe mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Assemble the sandwiches just before serving for the best texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The beef mixture can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
Yes. Let it cool completely, then freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
French fries, potato wedges, coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, or chips all make great side dishes.
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BBQ Cowboy Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small white onion diced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 4 brioche buns
- 4 slices pepper jack cheese or 8 for extra cheesy
- ⅓ cup crispy fried onions
- 1 medium jalapeño sliced
- 8 slices bacon cooked; reserve 1 tbsp bacon grease for cooking, or substitute olive oil
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a little bacon grease or oil. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 4–5 minutes.
- Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a cooking spoon, until fully browned, about 7–10 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add the BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well and bring to a low simmer. Let the mixture cook for about 2 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
- To assemble, spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto the bottom half of each brioche bun. Top with pepper jack cheese, jalapeño slices, crispy onions, and two slices of bacon. Use two cheese slices per sandwich if desired.
- Add the top bun and serve warm.
Notes
The nutritional details for recipes are estimated using MyFitnessPal and can vary with different products, measurement accuracy, and source reliability. We aim to provide accurate information but cannot guarantee the precise accuracy of the nutritional data