Best Copycat Original Sloppy Joes Key West Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What was the original sloppy joe made with? ›

Some attribute the original Sloppy Joe to a cafe in Sioux City, Iowa, where, many years ago, in 1930 a cook named Joe added tomato sauce to his “loose meat” sandwiches. Voila: a new between-the-bread offering, and the sandwich's official name.

A Tradition - Sloppy Joe's Bar

This iconic Key West bar's claim to fame was its famous patron, Ernest Hemingway, who frequented the saloon for some Scotch and good conversation on rest from travel. There have been years of controversy pertaining to accurate history and credit for being Hemingway's number one bar.

The tip bell (which is rung with gusto when a generous tip is received) is from a Coast Guard cutter boat.

If it seems too sweet try stirring in a spoon of fresh squeezed lemon or a spoon of vinegar. This was a hit in our house! My husband loved it and the bell peppers and onion just made everything come together. I may just add some more peppers, or even a red pepper for a kick next time!

If you're aiming to eat a lower-fat diet, then consider fixing yourself a sloppy jane. This variant on the sloppy joe swaps out regular ground beef for leaner beef. It also places a higher focus on vegetables and other low-calorie ingredients.

Many believe the Sloppy Joe is the namesake of a Sioux City, Iowa cook, who in 1930, combined the regionally popular loose meat sandwich with tomato sauce. It's less messy predecessor, the loose meat sandwich is a Midwestern favorite of steamed or sauteed ground beef, onions, mustard and pickles.

Since, 1978, the historic watering hole has been owned by Sloppy Joe's Enterprises comprised of families of the late Sid Snelgrove and the late Jim Mayer. Just as in Joe Russell's day, Sloppy Joe's bartenders' welcome patrons at virtually all hours of the day or night.

Rum Runner

Some quick thinking and flicks of the wrist had him pouring the remnants of almost-empty bottles into one glass. He struck liquid gold when he mixed the ingredients below into one shaker to create (most absolutely) “THE” drink of the Florida Keys.

THE CHART ROOM BAR

Jimmy saw the freebie and the bar's ambiance as omens of great things to come. Jimmy began his tropical career playing for drinks in the The Chart Room for treasure divers, pot smugglers, beachcombers, politicians and friends.

Sloppy Joes are the sandwich, while Manwich is the store-bought canned sloppy joe sauce, produced by ConAgra Foods and Hunt's. What is this? While the brand markets this product as a quick and easy one-pan meal, I strongly recommend you make the sauce from scratch.

What does conch mean in Key West? ›

What is a Key West Conch? When people speak of the Key West Conch, they may be referring to the large sea snail that lives in the depths of the Gulf of Mexico surrounding the Florida Keys. But most often the term refers to Key West natives—the first settlers and the long-time residents of Key West.

Spices: Dress up your sloppy joes with garlic powder, onion powder, or any other flavors you love. If you want heat, throw in a tbsp of ancho chili powder, a tsp of ground cumin, or a half teaspoon of chipotle powder. Or, splash on your favorite hot sauce. Season with kosher salt to taste.

Sloppy Joe Tips

We suggest draining the browned beef, because excess grease serves as a barrier to sloppy joe seasonings.

To serve, I suggest toasting buttery brioche buns and pairing the sandwiches with either my sweet and tangy citrus slaw or classic coleslaw, crispy potato chips, and some refrigerator pickles on the side.

It's made with ketchup, brown sugar, tomato paste, Worcestershire, chili powder, garlic, dry mustard, and a little Tobasco (if you want). That sauce coats the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper to make the filling. What's a good side dish with sloppy joes?

Ground beef is the traditional meat for this recipe. Choose more lean meat for less fat during cooking, I use 92% lean when making these. Ground pork is a unique addition to a Sloppy Joe recipe.

TOMATO PUREE (WATER, TOMATO PASTE), HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, DISTILLED VINEGAR, CORN SYRUP, LESS THAN 2% OF: SALT, SUGAR, CARROT FIBER, DRIED GREEN AND RED BELL PEPPERS, CHILI PEPPER, GUAR GUM, SPICES, XANTHAN GUM, DRIED GARLIC, NATURAL FLAVORS, CITRIC ACID.

Marilyn Brown, director of the consumer test kitchen at H.J. Heinz in Pittsburgh, says their research at the Carnegie Library suggests that the sloppy joe's origins lie with the "loose meat sandwiches" sold in Sioux City, Iowa, in the 1930s and were the creation of a cook named Joe.