Taco Sloppy Joes
This fun and tasty twist on traditional Sloppy Joes blends the best of tacos and classic Sloppy Joes. Meaty, fabulous, and hearty, and with unexpected flavors, Taco Sloppy Joes are sure to become a family favorite. Loved by kids and adults alike, this easy ground beef meal is ready in minutes. The next time you’re wondering what’s for dinner, give this a try!
I love Sloppy Joes, but when you add taco flavors to the mix, suddenly you’ve got a very different meal. This dish eats like the classic handheld and I serve the meaty mixture on brioche buns, but after one bite you’ll be tasting all the big, bold Southwestern flavors that make these Taco Sloppy Joes!
Taco Sloppy Joes
This is such an affordable dish. Ground beef, especially when on sale, is inexpensive. There are no fancy ingredients in this dish, and it comes together quickly.
The toppings on these sandwiches is what really sets them apart. A burst of freshness from the tomato, creamy guacamole, tangy red onion, and herbaceous cilantro are added at the end so you can dress up your Sloppy Joe however you like.
Fun, easy, and delicious, these easy Sloppy Joe’s with taco meat are truly tasty!
Why I love this recipe
- It’s ready in about 15-20 minutes. Who doesn’t love that?
- This is an affordable dish and it pairs fabulously with a simple salad or a handful of chips.
- You can top them however you like them – just like tacos!
Gather these ingredients
- Ground beef – Use 90/10 ground beef or remove the fat after cooking 80/20 ground beef.
- Onion – Yellow or white onion; diced.
- Taco seasoning – Use your favorite brand or make your own.
- Canned diced tomatoes – Drained.
- Soy sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- Apple cider vinegar
- Hamburger buns – Toasted.
- Jack cheese – Shredded.
- Tomatoes – Diced. Roma or plum tomatoes work well in this dish.
- Red onion – Finely diced.
- Guacamole – Buy prepared guacamole to make dinner even easier.
- Cilantro – Chopped.
How to make Taco Sloppy Joes
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet, then drain off any fat.
- Add the onions and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes or until the onion is translucent. Break up the ground beef as it cooks.
- Add the taco seasoning and stir it into the meat. Cook for an additional minute.
- Add the drained diced tomatoes, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Bring to a boil then turn the heat down and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Toast your burger buns; optional.
- Adjust the seasoning of the Taco Sloppy Joe mixture then divide it evenly on top of the 4 hamburger bun bottoms. Sprinkle each with the shredded cheese, chopped tomatoes, and a few sprinkles of cilantro.
- Spread the guacamole evenly on the underside of the remaining burger bun halves, then close up the sandwiches and serve!
Tips & substitutions
- You can use coconut aminos in place of the soy sauce.
- A pinch of red pepper flakes will add some heat if you like it spicy.
- Really go out with your toppings. Try shredded lettuce, olives, and a dollop of sour cream.
- You can make the meat mixture in advance and store it in the fridge for 3-4 days before serving. If you’re meal prepping, this meat mixture will also freeze well. Just thaw and reheat and dinner is ready in a snap!
- Make your own guacamole or buy it to save time. You can even just slice some ripe avocados and pop them on top of the meat mixture.
Serving suggestions
These Sloppy Joe are amazing as they are, but to make it a complete meal, serve them with a garden fresh salad with a great dressing, cut up veggies with a creamy dip, or some fries. This meal is so casual that really anything will pair with it!
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can freeze the meat for up to a month in a freezer-safe container.
Check out these awesome sandwich recipes while you’re here
- Caprese Sandwich Sliders
- Grilled Cheese Flatbread Sandwich
- BLT Bell Pepper Sandwich
- Green Goddess Sandwich
Get the Recipe:
Taco Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 Tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 cup diced tomatoes, drained (optional to use fired roasted diced tomatoes for more heat)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce, or coconut aminos
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 4 buns, optionally toasted
- ¾ cup Jack cheese, shredded
- ½ cup guacamole
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup cilantro, finely chopped
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and onion over medium-high heat. Break into pieces and cook for 8-10- minutes. Drain off the grease.
- Add taco seasoning and cook for another minute, stirring it into the meat.
- Add diced tomatoes, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar, and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down and simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Toast the burger buns.
To assemble:
- Divide the taco sloppy joe mixture on four bottom burger bun halves, then sprinkle with grated cheese, chopped Roma tomatoes, and a few sprinkles of cilantro. On the top buns, spread the guac. Add the top buns with guac on top of the Taco Sloppy Joes and serve!
- Serve and enjoy!
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
