What Are Sloppy Joes and Why Are They so Sloppy? (2024)

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What Are Sloppy Joes and Why Are They so Sloppy? ›

While those tavern favorites were generally composed of seasoned ground beef on a bun (optionally topped with ketchup, mustard and pickles), Joe's addition of tomato sauce brought the sloppy into the equation, and emerged as an affordable comfort food staple that is still around today.

Some attribute the original Sloppy Joe to a cafe in Sioux City, Iowa, where, many years ago, in 1930 a cook named Joe added tomato sauce to his “loose meat” sandwiches. Voila: a new between-the-bread offering, and the sandwich's official name.

By some accounts, the sloppy joe was likely invented in Iowa. According to Wonderopolis, the sandwich may have gotten its start in Sioux City, where a cook named Joe began seasoning the loose meat sandwiches at Floyd Angell's café with tomato sauce, making them sloppier and saucier than ever before.

A Tradition - Sloppy Joe's Bar

This iconic Key West bar's claim to fame was its famous patron, Ernest Hemingway, who frequented the saloon for some Scotch and good conversation on rest from travel. There have been years of controversy pertaining to accurate history and credit for being Hemingway's number one bar.

a man or youth whose appearance is habitually slovenly.

Why Use These for Sloppy Joes? Baking soda helps keep the ground beef moist and tender, and incorporating baking soda into the finely chopped onion causes the onion to soften rapidly so it nearly melts into the sauce. Cornstarch thickens the sauce and binds up any fat, creating a silky-smooth, cohesive texture.

A Sloppy Joe is a beloved American sandwich made from ground beef cooked in a tangy and slightly sweet tomato-based sauce and served on a hamburger bun. The name “sloppy” aptly describes the sandwich's messy nature, as the filling tends to spill out of the bun.

Many believe the Sloppy Joe is the namesake of a Sioux City, Iowa cook, who in 1930, combined the regionally popular loose meat sandwich with tomato sauce. It's less messy predecessor, the loose meat sandwich is a Midwestern favorite of steamed or sauteed ground beef, onions, mustard and pickles.

Sloppy Joes are largely believed to be the creation of a cook in Sioux City, Iowa. Named, yes, Joe, he based his treat on the loose meat sandwiches that were popular in the 1930's.

If you're aiming to eat a lower-fat diet, then consider fixing yourself a sloppy jane. This variant on the sloppy joe swaps out regular ground beef for leaner beef. It also places a higher focus on vegetables and other low-calorie ingredients.

What is the fancy name for sloppy joes? ›

Some other names for sloppy joes include: barbecues, dynamites, gulash, sloppy janes, slushburgers, steamers, wimpies, and yum yums. What do you call sloppy joes where you live? Just like the many names for sloppy joes, you'll also find all sorts of variations on the recipe.

Sloppy joe meat being prepared with Manwich sauce. Early and mid-20th century American cookbooks offer plenty of sloppy joe-type recipes, though they go by different names: Toasted Deviled Hamburgers, Chopped Meat Sandwiches, Spanish Hamburgers, Hamburg a la Creole, Beef Mironton, and Minced Beef Spanish Style.

How "hot tamale" became the name for sloppy Joes in these Wisconsin communities is so far a mystery. The name was solidified through decades of Sheboygan and Manitowoc school lunch menus, though "sloppy Joe" has come into use now.

Manwich, a portmanteau of man and sandwich, is the brand name of a canned sloppy joe sauce produced by ConAgra Foods and Hunt's, introduced in 1969. The can contains seasoned tomato sauce that is added to ground beef cooked in a skillet.

You've probably seen these comfortable jumpers, but just didn't know their name. The history of this simple jumper started with male Ivy League students, who wore oversized, sloppy-style sweaters to show their superiority. A bit later Sloppy Joes gain popularity among women and create a new way to emphasize femininity.

When bought from a restaurant or prepared at home with traditional ingredients, a Sloppy Joe contains a high level of fat and calories and without healthy modifications this meal is something to be enjoyed only rarely. Using healthier ingredients is the best way to eat what should always be an occasional meal.

Many believe the Sloppy Joe is the namesake of a Sioux City, Iowa cook, who in 1930, combined the regionally popular loose meat sandwich with tomato sauce. It's less messy predecessor, the loose meat sandwich is a Midwestern favorite of steamed or sauteed ground beef, onions, mustard and pickles.

Spices: Dress up your sloppy joes with garlic powder, onion powder, or any other flavors you love. If you want heat, throw in a tbsp of ancho chili powder, a tsp of ground cumin, or a half teaspoon of chipotle powder. Or, splash on your favorite hot sauce. Season with kosher salt to taste.

There are minor variations depending on the deli, but it is always a double-decker thin sliced rye bread sandwich made with one or more types of sliced deli meat, such as turkey, ham, pastrami, corned beef, roast beef, or sliced beef tongue, along with Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian dressing.