The Best Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe
This Homemade Sloppy Joes recipe is simple, filling, and easy to make. It’s an old Dairy Dee recipe that was originally called the Yello Jersey Barbq on a Bun.
It comes from my husband’s family’s Dairy Dee in Jamestown, Kentucky, where it was served for years.
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This is a very special recipe for me to share. I think it was one of the first recipes I ever asked my mother-in-law for, and it’s been one of my favorite sandwiches since I came into the family over 34 years ago.
It was on my menu plan last night, so I asked Cathy, my mother-in-law, if she would mind me sharing it. She gave me the okay, along with these wonderful pictures, and even shared a few interesting tidbits about the recipe.
This family recipe was served daily at a quaint Dairy Dee called the Yello Jersey in Jamestown, Kentucky. My mother-in-law’s parents owned the restaurant, and its heyday was in the 60s and 70s. It was in operation for about 15 years, and every member of the family worked there.
Even LittleChefsDad was part of it at just two weeks old. Cathy would bring him with her and place him in a playpen while she worked. Here he is pictured a little older with his grandmother, Zella Mae Rogers.
Cathy told me that back in the 60s, if you asked for a sandwich, you got it on sliced bread. Always. So that’s why “on a bun” was added to the name, so customers would know right away it was something different from the usual white bread.
When she told me that, I smiled so big. I had never heard that before and thought it was so interesting. I love hearing little bits of food history like that!
I wanted to know everything about the Barbq sauce. What was the full name? How was it served? Was it a plate special or ordered separately? What was served with it? What sides went with it? Was it most popular on hamburger buns or hot dog buns? I must have asked her 50 questions. She happily answered every one, and it really brought the recipe to life.
She said hamburger buns were the most popular by far. One regular customer would order 6 at a time and eat them all by himself!
She said there were no plate specials back then. Customers would walk up to the windows and order off the large handwritten menu. The Yello Jersey also served up Shakes, Malts, and Cones.
Here’s Tommy Rogers whipping up a shake. Check out that vintage machine!
Here’s Suzanne Rogers Coe making an Ice cream Cone.
She said her Mom, Zella Mae, would make up a double to triple batch and freeze it. So not only is this economical meal easy on the wallet, but it’s freezer friendly. What more could a person ask for? Oh, and did I mention it’s delicious too?
At our house we call it Sloppy Joes, and add a slice of cheese to it. When the kids were little they would turn their nose up to any food that had the word barbeque in it, and a food with the word sloppy in it, sounds soooo much fun to boys!
It’s also amazing used as Hot Dog Sauce.
Whatever you call it, sloppy joe or the original title, Yello Jersey Barbq on a bun, be sure to try this amazing recipe with your loved ones. I’m confidant that it will become your family favorite also.
The Best Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 18 ounces tomato paste
- 12 ounces water
- 1 cup powdered milk
Instructions
- In a large skillet or frying pan, cook the ground beef and onion over medium-high heat until it's fully browned. Be sure to break up the meat into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if needed. 2 pounds ground beef,1 medium onion.
- Add the chili powder, dry mustard, hot sauce, and salt; stir to combine.1 teaspoon chili powder,1 teaspoon ground mustard,1 teaspoon hot sauce,1 teaspoon salt.
- Stir in the tomato paste and water until everything is well mixed; Add the dry milk and continue stirring until smooth.18 ounces tomato paste,12 ounces water,1 cup powdered milk.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
Thank you so much for sharing! Dedinitely a favorite from my childhood!! Can’t wait to use this recipe and share with my son.
You’re very welcome. Enjoy!
My boys love Sloppy Joes. Does this taste similar to the canned Manwich stuff you can buy or completely different?
I don’t think it does. It’s been so long since I’ve had the canned stuff I honestly can’t even remember what it tastes like. But I do recall having a strong aversion to Manwich. Try it and let me know what you think.
I just love that you included the history of your recipe. This looks delicious and I can’t wait to try it. Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you are having a great day and come back to see us real soon!
Miz Helen
Thank you Miz Helen. It’s a great recipe, I hope you like it.
The recipe says 1 cup powdered milk….does that mean 1 cup of the milk powder or milk powder mixed with water to make 1 cup of powdered milk?
Linda,
It’s 1 measuring cup full of dry powder milk, no liquid added.
Linda,
I double checked the recipe and left out the water. I’m so sorry. I hope you haven’t fixed it yet. There is supposed to be 12 ounces of water added to the mix in general. I have edited the recipe to add the water. Thank you very much for asking. Without your question I wouldn’t have noticed my mistake.
Thanks for replying so quickly. The recipe sounded like one I wanted to try, but it sounded so dry I didn’t think it would mix up very well. So, thanks for checking it and letting me know. Now I will try it this weekend.
You’re very welcome, hope you enjoy it!