Sassy Sloppy Joes Recipe (Freezer-Friendly)
Easy Freezable Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes are a classic meal. They’re fun to eat, taste great, and they fill you up nicely. Since my family and I really enjoy them, I try to make them pretty often, but some nights I’m simply too busy or just don’t feel like doing the prep for sloppy joes.
That’s where this recipe comes in handy because it’s freezable! You probably already know, but I am a big freezer meal fan. They can be a lifesaver when you’re short on time or not in the mood to cook.
This Sassy Sloppy Joe recipe has now become a favorite of mine because it’s so convenient! I got it from Don’t Panic, Dinner’s In The Freezer, a recipe book full of excellent make-ahead freezer meals!
Freezer Instructions
To freeze these sloppy joes, I use something called the freezer bag method. It’s really simple and it helps to make sure nothing goes wrong during the freezing process. Here’s how it works:
- Place your cooked sloppy joe meat into a freezer-safe resealable bag, remove as much air as possible, then seal it
- Find a pan with sides (I use a cake pan) and lay the bag(s) flat, stacking them on top of each other (this helps shape the bag and makes leaks less messy)
- Place the pan in the freezer
- Once the bag is frozen just enough to hold its shape you can remove it from the pan and put it in your freezer however you want
Serving Tips
I like to serve these sloppy joes on a warmed whole wheat hamburger bun. If you want to go homemade, you could try serving them on these quick dinner rolls. Enjoy!
Learn More About Freezer Meal Cooking:
- Why you NEED Freezer Meal Cooking in your life!
- Pros and Cons of Freezer Meal Parties
- 24 GENIUS Freezer Meal Tips
- What Foods Don’t Freeze Well
- Freezer Meal eBook
Sassy Sloppy Joes Recipe (Freezer-Friendly)
Ingredients
- ½ cup onion chopped
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 lbs. ground beef
- 7 oz. ketchup
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup celery chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vinegar I like apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon dry mustard
Instructions
- Saute the chopped onion in butter. Add ground beef and brown lightly. Drain off any excess fat. Add all of the remaining ingredients and simmer covered for 30 minutes. Cool mixture and freeze using the freezer bag method.
- For those new to the freezer bag method...
- When using the freezer bag method for freezing, you place your meal in a freezable bag, (like a Ziploc or FoodSaver bag) then remove as much air as you can, and seal. Then take a cake pan, or a pan that has sides, and lay the bags flat, stacking them on top of each other. The cake pan will freeze your meals in a nice flat shape giving you more freezer room and also ensure that any leaks stay within the pan. You then place the pan in the freezer. Once it has been flash frozen, (frozen just enough to hold it's shape) remove the items from the pan and store it however you like in your freezer. It is also a good idea to place your meal back in a pan in the fridge while thawing so you don't have leaks then either.
- To Prepare After Freezing:
- Remove from freezer and let thaw. Heat mixture slowly in a skillet or saucepan until warmed all the way through and ready to serve. (We like to eat it on fresh warmed whole wheat hamburger buns!)
I love this book, I have it!
Me too! I love how they give you all the bigger batch measurements!
Love the pic, Jessica!
Thanks Melanie!
I am trying to find out if you can REFREEZE sloppy jos.
Hi Jan,
Yes, you can refreeze them, as long as the meat has been cooked through. What causes concern is when you freeze, defrost, and then re-freeze raw meat. But cooked meat can be re-frozen easily!
1