If there’s one meal that’s amazing to eat and easy to make, it’s Sloppy Joes! While traditional Sloppy Joes are incredibly satisfying, I’m a fan of open faced Sloppy Joes because you get a higher meat-to-bread ratio, and that means more protein.
I also think that open face Sloppy Joes are even messier than the normal type of Sloppy Joes, and that makes them a little more fun. This simple weeknight recipe can easily be made in advance and then warmed up on the night you’re ready to eat, so a lot of people pick this to have after coming home from work.
Sloppy Joes are fun for kids and yummy for adults.
This recipe is also perfect for big family gatherings, because you can make a lot all at once and let people choose their own portion sizes. Texas toast also adds a nice touch – the garlic bread brings depth of flavor to this open faced sandwich. If you’re in need of a quick dinner, this is the meal for you. Just beware: once you’ve made this for the kids once, they’ll be asking for it again and again. Enjoy!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are so many reasons that kids and adults love this recipe.
- Garlic Bread is King! This recipe is made using garlic bread, and everyone loves garlic bread! Butter and garlic combined make this Texas toast open faced sandwich even yummier.
- Simple ingredient list: This recipe is made with easy ingredients that many people have on hand.
- Easy process: Once you’ve made this recipe a few times, you probably won’t need a recipe anymore. It’s that simple!
- Crowd-pleaser: Everyone in the family is likely to love Sloppy Joes, from the little ones to the big ones.
- Flavorful: Sloppy Joes are packed with flavor, from the meat to the sauce to the delicious veggies.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
You don’t have to have every ingredient on the ingredients list to make this recipe work. Here are some substitutions I suggest to make the Sloppy Joe mixture work.
- Spice: Want to make your Sloppy Joes a little spicier? Consider adding some diced jalapenos to make this recipe stand out.
- Cheese: This recipe uses American cheese, but you can top your open faced sandwich with some shredded cheddar, mozarella, or even some pepperjack.
- Meat: Make your sandwiches healtheir with some ground turkey instead of ground beef.
Tips for Success
There are many things you can do to make this recipe work!
- Short on time? Consider making pre-made garlic bread, found in the freezer section of your grocery store.
- You can also pre-cook your beef, then warm it up when it’s time to serve. Serve this recipe with some chips and you’ll have a quick meal that’s easy and fast.
- Are you a vegetarian? It’s easy to make this recipe vegetarian friendly. Consider subbing ground beef for cooked lentils, crumbled tofu, or vegetarian ground beef (found in many supermarkets).
Storage & Reheating
Meat for this meal can be prepared, cooled to room temperature, then placed in an air tight container for storage. Texas Toast should be prepared the day of. If you’re making Sloppy Joes, don’t assemble them into sandwiches before storing them.
If you have leftover meat after the meal is over, allow it to cool to room temperature and then store the meat in an air tight container for a day or two. Texas garlic toast may not store well, but you can try cooling it to room temperature, wrapping it in aluminum foil, and then storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Serving Suggestions
Sloppy Joes burger melts can be served with many side dishes including pasta pesto salad or summer kidney bean salad. For something easier, open a couple bags of chips and let people choose their own!
FAQs
What are Sloppy Joes?
This classic summer sandwich is served at family reunions, potlucks, and at Friday night dinners at home. Usually Sloppy Joes involve ground beef, a sweet/spicy sauce, and sometimes cheese! This open faced sandwich variation is extra yummy because it involves garlic toast.
Can I use other meats instead of ground beef?
Ground turkey can be subbed for ground beef, or ground pork. Each option has a unique flavor, so choose the one that’s right for you. Each option may have its own cook time, so made adjustments accordingly.
Does Sloppy Joes work without cheese?
For sure, you can make delicious Sloppy Joes without cheese. If you’re vegan, you may want to add a slightly cheesy flavor with nutritional yeast, or you can leave the cheese off.
Can this recipe be made in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the meat mixture a day or two in advance, but the toast should be made just in time for eating. It’s better that way!
Does this recipe have to be open faced?
Sloppy Joes don’t have to be open faced sandwiches. However, Texas toast is very thick and can be crunchy, which can make turning it into a sandwich a little more challenging. If you want a closed-face sandwich for your Sloppy Joes, consider putting it on an ordinary bun (toasted or untoasted).
Notes
Sloppy Joes bring back memories of family reunions, lazy summer afternoons, and barbecues outside. This doesn’t mean that you have to eat these delicious sandwiches in the summer or at a potluck – you can make these after work on ordinary nights.
Open Faced Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Lean Ground Beef or Ground Bison for a leaner, richer flavor
- ½ cup Sweet Onion diced
- ¼ cup Red Bell Pepper diced (replaces green for a milder, sweeter note)
- 1 cup Chili Sauce like Heinz
- ½ cup Beef Broth replaces water for more depth
- 1 Tbsp Dark Brown Sugar
- 2 tsp Balsamic Vinegar replaces Worcestershire for a unique tang
- 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
- ½ tsp Onion Powder
- 6 thick slices of Garlic Texas Toast
- 12 slices Provolone or Muenster Cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, crumble and brown the ground beef alongside the onions and red peppers. Cook until the beef is well-seared and the peppers are tender. Make sure to drain the rendered fat completely.
- Turn the heat down to medium-low. Stir in the chili sauce, beef broth, dark brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, Dijon, and onion powder. Let the mixture bubble gently for 8–10 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce into a thick, glossy glaze that clings to the beef.
- While the meat simmers, set your oven to the broiler setting. Arrange the Texas toast on a baking sheet and toast one side until it’s lightly crisped and golden.
- Flip the bread over and place a slice of cheese on the untoasted side. Return it to the broiler for about 45 seconds—just enough to get the cheese tacky and starting to melt.
- Spoon a generous helping of the sloppy joe mixture onto each cheesy toast slice. Top with a second slice of cheese. Slide the tray back under the broiler for 1–2 minutes until the top cheese layer is bubbly and carries a few golden-brown spots.
