Bacon Cheddar Beer Grilled Sloppy Joes: The Ultimate Homemade Recipe

Prepare to revolutionize your perception of a classic American comfort food! Our Bacon Cheddar Beer Grilled Sloppy Joes recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s a culinary experience designed to elevate the humble sloppy joe to an extraordinary level. Forget the canned sauces and bland ground beef – this is the definitive homemade sloppy joe recipe, boasting an incredible symphony of smoky grill flavor, savory bacon, sharp cheddar, and a rich, beer-infused sauce.

Whether you’re a seasoned grill master with a Big Green Egg, prefer the versatility of a standard grill, or even if you’re cooking indoors on your stovetop, this recipe delivers consistently delicious results. It’s a no-fail dish, perfect for a casual family dinner or for scaling up to feed a hungry crowd at your next backyard BBQ or game day gathering. Be warned: once your friends and family taste these easy bacon sloppy joes, they will undoubtedly be begging you for the recipe!

Why This Grilled Sloppy Joes Recipe Works Wonders

At its core, a sloppy joe is a simple sandwich, typically featuring ground beef simmered in a tangy, sweet, and sometimes spicy sauce, often with the help of a pre-made mix. But here, we embark on a journey to transform this basic concept into something truly unforgettable. The secret lies in a few key elements that work together to create a flavor profile far beyond the ordinary.

Firstly, the cooking method is paramount. Utilizing a grill, especially a charcoal grill or a kamado cooker like the Big Green Egg, infuses the meat with an unparalleled smoky depth. This distinctive flavor elevates the entire dish, adding a layer of complexity that simply cannot be achieved with stovetop cooking alone. It’s this smoky essence that takes a familiar meal and makes it a gourmet experience, making these the best grilled sloppy joes you’ll ever taste.

Secondly, the star additions: bacon, cheddar, and beer. Crispy, salty bacon provides a textural contrast and a surge of umami flavor, enhancing every bite. Sharp cheddar cheese melts perfectly, adding a creamy, tangy richness that complements the savory beef. And a good quality beer, carefully selected, introduces a malty depth and subtle bitterness that cuts through the richness of the beef and sauce, balancing the sweetness and tanginess. These ingredients aren’t just add-ons; they are integral components that redefine what a sloppy joe can be, turning it into a truly homemade sloppy joe masterpiece.

Finally, the attention to detail, from perfectly toasted, buttered buns to carefully balanced seasonings, ensures every bite is a harmonious blend of textures and tastes. This isn’t just about putting ingredients together; it’s about crafting an experience that will leave a lasting impression and have everyone asking for your homemade sloppy joe recipe. This combination of grilling, premium ingredients, and thoughtful preparation truly makes this recipe stand out as one of the best ways to enjoy sloppy joes.

The Essential Ingredients for Your Best Homemade Sloppy Joes

While the ingredient list might appear extensive at first glance, each item plays a crucial role in building the incredible flavors of these Bacon Cheddar Beer Grilled Sloppy Joes. Let’s break down what you’ll need and why each component is so important for creating such a delicious dish:

• Bacon: We recommend at least 3 slices per person to ensure plenty of smoky, crispy goodness. Feel free to indulge a little more! The rendered bacon fat will also be crucial for cooking our ground beef, imparting an initial layer of deep flavor. Choose a good quality, thick-cut bacon for the best results, as it provides both texture and rich fat.
• Ground Beef: An 85% lean ground beef is ideal for this recipe. This ratio provides enough fat for excellent flavor and juiciness without making the sloppy joes overly greasy, which can be a common pitfall when cooking on a grill. While you can opt for leaner ground beef, you might lose some of that rich, beefy flavor. If you choose a fattier grind, be prepared to drain more excess grease.
• Fresh Vegetables: A vibrant green bell pepper, finely diced, adds a subtle sweetness, a hint of freshness, and a pleasant textural crunch to the savory mixture. Additionally, diced tomatoes (yes, technically a fruit, but culinarily a vegetable here!) provide essential acidity, body, and a touch of garden-fresh flavor to the sauce. Ensure they are well-drained to avoid a watery sloppy joe.
• Light Brown Sugar: Just a touch of brown sugar is used to balance the acidity from the tomatoes and mustard, adding a delightful underlying sweetness that’s characteristic of a great sloppy joe sauce without making it cloying. This touch of sweetness rounds out the savory profile.
• Classic Sauce Trio:
  • Yellow Mustard: Adds a sharp, tangy kick that is fundamental to the traditional sloppy joe flavor profile.
  • Ketchup: Provides the primary sweet and tangy base, a cornerstone of any sloppy joe sauce.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: A secret weapon for umami depth, adding a savory, slightly fermented richness that rounds out the sauce beautifully and enhances the beef flavor.
• Seasonings: Simple yet effective. Kosher salt enhances all the flavors, while garlic powder and onion powder provide aromatic depth without the raw bite of fresh garlic or onion, ensuring a smooth sauce texture and consistent seasoning throughout.
• Full-Bodied Beer: This is where the magic happens! A lager (like Salt Life) or a stout (such as Guinness) works wonderfully. For the batch pictured, Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest was used, offering a fantastic malty profile. The beer adds complex, earthy notes and a subtle bitterness that complements the rich beef and cuts through the sweetness of the ketchup. Most of the alcohol cooks off during simmering, leaving behind a deep, nuanced flavor. If you prefer not to use beer, you can substitute with beef broth, though the flavor profile will be slightly different.
• Hamburger Buns: Fresh buns are key! Look for soft, substantial buns from your grocery store’s bakery section. We’ll be buttering and toasting them to provide a sturdy yet tender foundation for our sloppy joes, preventing sogginess and adding a delightful crunch. Brioche buns or potato rolls also make excellent choices.
• Unsalted Butter: Essential for buttering and toasting the buns, adding a rich, golden crispness that prevents sogginess and enhances flavor, truly making the buns an integral part of the sandwich.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Sliced sharp cheddar offers a bold, tangy flavor that melts beautifully over the hot sloppy joe mixture, adding a creamy texture and a delightful cheesy pull. Other good melting cheeses like Monterey Jack or provolone could also work if cheddar isn’t your preference, but sharp cheddar’s distinctive taste is highly recommended.

Crafting Your Grilled Sloppy Joes: Step-by-Step Perfection

Making these delicious homemade sloppy joes with bacon and beer is simpler than you might think, despite the sophisticated flavor profile. Follow these detailed steps for a perfect meal every time:

Preparation on the Big Green Egg or Outdoor Grill:

1. Setup Your Grill: Begin by setting up your Big Green Egg or any outdoor grill for direct heat cooking. Place a sturdy cast iron pan or other grill-safe skillet directly on the grate. Preheat your grill to a target temperature of 425°F (220°C). This initial heat ensures the pan gets hot enough for crisping bacon and browning beef effectively, critical for developing deep flavors.
2. Prepare the Buns: While the grill and pan are heating, take your hamburger buns and generously butter the cut insides. This buttering helps create a golden, crispy surface when toasted and prevents the bun from becoming soggy once the sloppy joe mixture is added. Set them aside; they’ll be toasted just before serving.
3. Cook the Bacon: Once the cast iron pan is hot, add your bacon slices. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, turning regularly, until each slice is perfectly crisp and golden brown. Transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess fat. The bacon should be shatteringly crisp for the best texture contrast in your sandwich.
4. Manage Bacon Grease: This step requires caution! Carefully pour off most of the rendered bacon grease into a heat-proof container, but be sure to leave approximately 1 tablespoon (15ml) of that incredibly flavorful grease behind in the pan. This remaining fat will add an incredible depth of smoky bacon flavor to your ground beef. Return the pan to the grill grate immediately.
5. Brown the Ground Beef: Add the 85% lean ground beef to the pan. Use a sturdy spoon or spatula to break up the meat as it cooks, ensuring it browns evenly. Continue cooking until no pink remains and the meat is thoroughly cooked through. Evenly browned beef provides a better texture and flavor base for your sloppy joes.
6. Sauté the Bell Pepper: Next, add the finely diced green bell pepper to the browned ground beef. Cook for a couple of minutes, stirring frequently, just until the peppers begin to soften slightly. This brief sauté helps to mellow their raw flavor and integrate them seamlessly into the meat mixture, adding a subtle sweetness.
7. Simmer the Sauce: Now, it’s time to bring the sloppy joe sauce to life! Add the light brown sugar, yellow mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, well-drained petite diced tomatoes, and the full-bodied beer to the pan. Stir everything together thoroughly to combine all the ingredients. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and continue to cook, stirring regularly, for about 10 minutes. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the sauce to thicken to the perfect, clingy consistency. Once thickened, remove the pan from the heat.
8. Toast the Buns: Place your buttered hamburger buns, cut side down, directly on the grill grate (or briefly in the hot pan if space allows). Toast them quickly, just until they are lightly golden and slightly crisp. Keep a close eye on them as they can burn very fast due to the heat of the grill! Remove them from the grill as soon as they reach desired toastiness.
9. Assemble and Serve: Lay a slice of sharp cheddar cheese on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Spoon a generous portion of the hot, flavorful sloppy joe mixture over the cheese. Top with several strips of your crispy bacon and finally, place the top bun half. Serve immediately and savor every bite of this spectacular deliciousness!

Stovetop Preparation Alternative:

Even without a grill, you can still create incredibly flavorful Bacon Cheddar Beer Sloppy Joes. Here’s how to adapt the recipe for stovetop cooking, ensuring a delicious homemade sloppy joe experience:

1. Preheat Oven Broiler: Turn on your oven broiler. This will be used to toast the buns and give them that desirable golden crunch.
2. Butter and Prep Buns: Generously butter the insides of your hamburger buns and place them, buttered side up, on a baking sheet. Set this aside; it will be used for toasting just before serving.
3. Cook Bacon: Heat a large skillet (cast iron works great here too) over medium-high heat on your stovetop. Cook the bacon in batches, turning regularly, until it’s wonderfully crisp. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
4. Manage Bacon Grease: Carefully pour off most of the bacon grease into a heat-proof container, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the skillet. This residual bacon fat is crucial for infusing flavor into the beef. Return the skillet to the stove.
5. Brown Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and brown it thoroughly, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks, until no pink remains. Ensure it’s cooked through.
6. Sauté Bell Pepper: Stir in the diced green bell pepper and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring often, until it begins to soften. This step helps soften the peppers and release their natural sweetness.
7. Simmer Sauce: Add the brown sugar, yellow mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, drained tomatoes, and beer. Stir to combine all ingredients well. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. This allows the flavors to deepen and meld. Remove from heat.
8. Toast Buns: Place the baking sheet with the buttered buns under the preheated oven broiler. Watch them very closely, toasting them quickly until lightly golden. This usually takes only 1-2 minutes under a broiler, so don’t walk away! Remove promptly to avoid burning.
9. Assemble and Serve: Assemble your sloppy joes on the toasted buns with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese and crispy bacon, just as described for the grilled version. Enjoy your equally delicious stovetop bacon cheddar beer sloppy joes!

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Your Sloppy Joes

A phenomenal homemade sloppy joe recipe deserves equally delicious and complementary side dishes. Since our Bacon Cheddar Beer Grilled Sloppy Joes feature rich ground beef in a tangy, sweet, and smoky sauce, we want sides that either cut through that richness with freshness or echo the smoky, comforting flavors. Avoid overly heavy or competing flavors to let the sloppy joe shine as the star of the meal.

Think simple, fresh, and often grilled to complement the main dish’s character. Light, crisp, or tangy sides work best, preventing the meal from feeling too heavy. Here are some ideal suggestions for what goes well with these irresistible grilled sloppy joes:

Delicious Side Dish Suggestions

• Kid-Friendly Confetti Rice: A light and fluffy rice dish studded with colorful vegetables provides a wonderful, neutral counterpoint to the savory sloppy joes, offering a balance of textures and flavors.
• German Green Bean Salad: This marinated salad offers a refreshing tanginess and can be prepared in advance, making it a convenient and flavorful choice. Its acidity helps to cut through the richness of the sloppy joe.
• Lemony Orzo and Roasted Corn Salad: The roasted corn in this salad beautifully echoes the smoky flavors of the grilled sloppy joes, while the lemon and orzo keep it light and bright, making it a perfect summertime side.
• Arugula and Cucumber Salad: For a truly refreshing option, a simple arugula and cucumber salad with a light vinaigrette provides a peppery, crisp contrast to the rich main course, offering a palate cleanser.
• Spring Potato Salad with Sour Cream and Dill: Unlike heavy, mayonnaise-laden potato salads, this version is surprisingly light and fresh, offering a creamy texture and herbaceous notes from the dill without being overly filling.
• Grilled Mushrooms in Vinaigrette: Succulent grilled mushrooms, tossed in a tangy vinaigrette, will perfectly complement the smoky flavor of the sloppy joes and add an earthy depth that’s incredibly satisfying.
• Simple Turmeric Rice with Peas: Quick to prepare, this vibrant rice dish adds a subtle earthy flavor and a pop of color, much like our efficient sloppy joes, making it a great accompaniment for a speedy meal.
• Oven Roasted Broccoli in Dijon Pesto Vinaigrette: While the recipe calls for oven roasting, this flavorful broccoli can easily be grilled alongside your sloppy joes on the Big Green Egg or any grill, adding another layer of smoky goodness and a healthy green component.
• Rotini Pasta Salad with Spinach: A versatile and delicious pasta salad that works beautifully with anything cooked on the grill. Prepare it in advance, adding the fresh spinach just before serving to maintain its crispness and vibrant color.

Explore More Big Green Egg Delights

If you’re loving the smoky flavors imparted by your Big Green Egg or any charcoal grill, there’s a whole world of culinary possibilities waiting. These versatile ceramic cookers are perfect for everything from slow-smoked meats to high-heat searing and even baking. Expanding your grilling repertoire is easy with these other fantastic recipes to try on your Big Green Egg, showcasing its incredible versatility and ability to infuse food with deep, complex flavors:

Expert Tips for the Best Bacon Cheddar Beer Grilled Sloppy Joes

Achieving sloppy joe perfection is within your reach with these helpful tips and tricks. From equipment selection to mastering cooking techniques, these insights will ensure your homemade sloppy joes are nothing short of spectacular and consistently deliver that amazing grilled flavor:

• Choose the Right Cookware: For grilling, a sturdy cast iron skillet is your best friend. I personally used a 10.5-inch cast iron skillet on my Big Green Egg, but any cast iron or other heavy-duty, grill-safe skillet will work. Ensure it fits comfortably on your grill grate and can withstand direct, high heat without its handle melting if it has one. Cast iron retains heat exceptionally well, leading to even cooking and great browning, which is crucial for building flavor in your sloppy joes.
• Handle Bacon Grease Safely: After cooking the bacon, the rendered grease will be extremely hot. Always use extreme caution when pouring it off to avoid burns. Transfer it to a heat-proof container (like an old metal can or ceramic bowl) and allow it to cool completely before discarding. Crucially, remember to leave about a tablespoon of that rendered bacon fat in the pan. This flavorful grease is your secret weapon for enhancing the ground beef with an extra layer of savory depth, contributing significantly to the overall taste of your bacon cheddar beer grilled sloppy joes.
• Preheat Your Skillet: Just as you preheat your grill, preheating your cast iron skillet on the grill grate before adding the bacon is essential. A hot skillet ensures the bacon starts crisping immediately, preventing it from steaming and becoming chewy. It also helps the ground beef brown more efficiently, leading to better flavor development and a superior texture in your sloppy joe mixture.
• Drain Tomatoes Thoroughly: When using canned petite diced tomatoes, make sure to drain them very well. Excess liquid from the tomatoes will thin out your sloppy joe sauce, requiring a longer simmering time to thicken it to the desired consistency. While it won’t ruin the flavor, a watery sauce can make for a soggy sandwich and dilute the rich taste. If you accidentally add the juice, simply simmer for a bit longer until the desired consistency is reached – the flavor will still be fantastic!
• Charcoal Reigns Supreme for Flavor: If you have the luxury of choosing between a charcoal grill (like a Big Green Egg) and a gas grill, opt for charcoal for this recipe. The distinctive smoky flavor imparted by charcoal is unparalleled and truly elevates these grilled sloppy joes, adding an authentic backyard BBQ essence that a gas grill, while convenient, can’t quite replicate. The subtle char and smoke will make all the difference.
• Mise en Place is Your Friend: Before you even light the grill, measure out all your ingredients and have them ready. This “mise en place” approach (everything in its place) makes the cooking process smooth and enjoyable, especially when working over a hot grill. As suggested in the notes, combining all the sauce ingredients (brown sugar, mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire, seasonings, tomatoes, and beer) into one bowl and the diced bell pepper in another makes transport to the grill incredibly easy and prevents forgotten steps or ingredients.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When browning the ground beef or cooking bacon, avoid overcrowding the skillet. Crowding lowers the pan’s temperature, causing food to steam rather than brown, which prevents the development of those rich, savory caramelized flavors that are essential for a truly outstanding sloppy joe. Work in smaller batches if necessary to ensure proper browning.
• Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Always taste your sloppy joe mixture after it has simmered and thickened. This is your chance to adjust seasonings to your preference. Need a bit more tang? Add a splash more mustard or Worcestershire. A touch more sweetness? A pinch of brown sugar might be in order. Don’t be afraid to tweak it until it’s perfect for your palate.
• Let the Mixture Rest (Optional but Recommended): Once the sloppy joe mixture is cooked, allowing it to rest off the heat for 5-10 minutes can help the flavors deepen and the sauce to set slightly. This allows the meat to fully absorb all the delicious saucy goodness before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Sloppy Joes

Looking for another show-stopping grill recipe? Don’t miss my Grilled Steak with Horseradish Dijon Sauce, complete with all the tips for achieving a perfectly grilled steak every time.

Bacon Cheddar Beer Grilled Sloppy Joes

Experience the best homemade sloppy joes with this incredible recipe featuring smoky grill flavor, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and a rich beer-infused sauce. Perfect for the Big Green Egg, grill, or stovetop, these easy sloppy joes are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bacon cheddar beer, easy sloppy joes recipe, grilled sloppy joes, homemade sloppy joe recipe, Big Green Egg sloppy joes, comfort food, ground beef sandwich

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Author: Erica

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 819kcal

Ingredients

• 12 slices bacon
• 1 ¼ lb 85% lean ground beef
• 1 large green bell pepper seeded and diced
• ½ Tbsp light brown sugar
• 3 tsp yellow mustard
• ¾ cup ketchup
• 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• 1 (14.5 oz) can no-salt-added petite diced tomatoes drained
• ½ cup full-bodied beer such as a lager or stout
• 4 hamburger buns split
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter softened
• 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

Preparation on the Big Green Egg or grill:

• Set up the Big Green Egg or grill for direct heat. Place a cast iron pan on the grate and heat to 425°F (220°C).
• Butter the insides of the burger buns and set aside.
• Cook bacon in batches in the hot pan until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
• Carefully pour off most bacon grease (leaving ~1 Tbsp) into a heat-proof container. Return pan to grill.
• Add ground beef and brown, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
• Add bell pepper and cook, stirring often, for a couple of minutes until slightly softened.
• Stir in brown sugar, mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, drained tomatoes, and beer. Simmer, stirring regularly, for 10 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat.
• Place buttered buns, cut side down, on the grill. Toast quickly until lightly golden. Remove from grill.
• Serve sloppy joes on toasted buns with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese and crispy bacon.

Preparation on the stove:

• Heat the oven broiler.
• Butter the insides of the burger buns and place, buttered side up, on a bake sheet.
• Heat a skillet on the stove over medium-high heat. Cook the bacon, turning regularly, until crisp. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.
• Carefully pour off most bacon grease (leaving ~1 Tbsp) into a heat-proof container. Return skillet to stove.
• Add ground beef and brown, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
• Add bell pepper and cook, stirring often, for a couple of minutes until slightly softened.
• Stir in brown sugar, mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, drained tomatoes, and beer. Simmer, stirring regularly, until thickened. Remove from heat.
• Quickly cook the buns under the oven broiler until lightly toasted. Remove from oven.
• Serve sloppy joes on toasted buns with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese and crispy bacon.

Notes

To streamline your cooking process, measure all your sauce ingredients (brown sugar, mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, drained tomatoes, and beer) into a single bowl. Place the diced bell pepper in a separate bowl. This “mise en place” approach makes it easy to carry everything to the grill and add ingredients efficiently, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable cooking experience.

If you are preparing this recipe on the stovetop and want to emulate the smoky flavor of the grill, consider adding a couple of drops of hickory liquid smoke to the sloppy joe mixture, to taste, during the simmering stage. This can provide a nice depth of flavor that closely mimics the grilled version.

Nutrition

Calories: 819kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 50g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 166mg | Sodium: 1886mg | Potassium: 833mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 380mg | Iron: 6mg