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Irresistible French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes

By: Author Jenna Margot

Posted on

Irresistible French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes

Hey y'all! If you love the deep, savory magic of French onion soup and the messy-good nostalgia of a classic sloppy joe, you’re going to flip for these Irresistible French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes. Think silky caramelized onions, juicy beef, and melty cheese piled on toasted buns for the coziest, crowd-pleasing bite. Perfect for game day, busy weeknights, or casual weekends with friends. Let’s get cooking!

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes | Yield: 6 sandwiches

Why You'll Love This

  • All the flavors of French onion soup in an easy, weeknight sloppy joe.
  • Golden, jammy onions and a glossy beef sauce deliver rich, savory depth.
  • Melty provolone or Gruyère makes every bite gooey and satisfying.
  • Ready in 45 minutes with simple pantry staples and one pan.
  • Family-friendly, freezer-friendly, and perfect for make-ahead meals.

Ingredients for Irresistible French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 large yellow onions (about 2 pounds), thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (helps onions caramelize)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef (80–85% lean)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
  • ¼ cup dry red wine (optional, for depth)
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh, chopped)
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thicker sauce)
  • 6 brioche or hamburger buns, split
  • 8 slices provolone or Gruyère cheese
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

How to Make Irresistible French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes

Step 1: Caramelize the onions for the French onion base

  1. Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add butter and olive oil.
  2. Stir in sliced onions, salt, pepper, and sugar. Cook, stirring every few minutes, until onions are deep golden and jammy, 20–25 minutes. Adjust heat as needed to prevent burning.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Transfer half the onions to a plate (for topping later) and leave the rest in the pan.

Step 2: Brown the beef for your sloppy joe filling

  1. Increase heat to medium. Add ground beef to the pan with the remaining onions. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.

Step 3: Build that rich French onion sloppy joe sauce

  1. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire, and Dijon; cook 1 minute.
  2. Pour in beef broth and optional red wine; add thyme and smoked paprika. Simmer over medium-low until slightly reduced and glossy, 8–10 minutes.
  3. If you prefer thicker sauce, stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer 1–2 minutes more until it coats a spoon.

Step 4: Toast, cheese, and assemble Irresistible French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes

  1. Set oven rack 6 inches from the broiler and preheat broiler to High (or preheat oven to 375°F/190°C).
  2. Arrange buns cut side up on a baking sheet. Broil 1–2 minutes (or bake 4–5 minutes at 375°F) until lightly golden.
  3. Spoon beef mixture onto bun bottoms, top with reserved caramelized onions and 1–2 cheese slices. Broil 30–60 seconds until cheese is melty. Garnish with parsley, cap with bun tops, and serve hot.

Notes for the Best French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes

  • Cut onions evenly so they caramelize at the same rate; patience pays off for that deep, sweet-savory flavor. For technique tips, see this guide on how to caramelize onions: Serious Eats.
  • Use 80–85% lean beef for the juiciest, most flavorful filling; drain excess fat to keep the sauce balanced.
  • Gruyère gives a classic French onion vibe, while provolone melts smoothly and stays wonderfully gooey.
Irresistible French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes

Variations & Swaps

  • Mushroom French Onion Sloppy Joes: Sauté 8 ounces sliced cremini mushrooms with the onions for extra umami.
  • Turkey French Onion Joes: Substitute 1 ½ pounds ground turkey; add 1 tablespoon butter when browning to keep it rich.
  • Open-Face French Onion Melts: Pile filling on toasted baguette halves, blanket with cheese, and broil until bubbly.

Required Equipment

  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Chef’s knife and cutting board
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Baking sheet
  • Broiler or oven

Storage for French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes

  • Refrigerator: Store the cooled beef-onion mixture (without buns) in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
  • Freezer: Freeze portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
  • Reheat: Warm gently in a saucepan over medium-low, 5–7 minutes, or microwave in 45-second bursts, stirring in between. Toast fresh buns for best texture.
  • Food safety: For guidance on safe storage times, see the FoodSafety.gov cold storage charts.

Serving & Pairings for French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes

  • Crispy oven fries or sweet potato wedges for that classic diner feel.
  • Bright side salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut the richness.
  • Roasted green beans or a simple slaw for crunch.
  • Dill pickles, pickled onions, or pepperoncini for tangy contrast.
  • A malty amber ale, light lager, or a glass of Cabernet complements the savory onions and beef.

Pro Tips for Irresistible French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes

  • Low and slow onions: Keep heat at medium-low and don’t rush the caramelization; stir every few minutes for even browning and that signature jammy texture.
  • Season in layers: Salt the onions, then taste and adjust after simmering the sauce so flavors stay bright, not flat.
  • Safety first: While ground beef is typically browned until no pink remains, an instant-read thermometer should register 160°F/71°C for doneness; see FoodSafety.gov.

FAQ: French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes

Can I make Irresistible French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes ahead?
Yes! Cook the filling up to 2 days ahead and reheat gently. Toast buns and melt cheese right before serving for best texture.

What if my onions start to burn?
Lower the heat and add 1–2 tablespoons of water to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Keep stirring and continue over lower heat.

Which cheese melts best?
Provolone melts silky-smooth, while Gruyère adds nutty, classic French onion flavor. Swiss is a great budget-friendly alternative.

★★★★★ 4.50 from 118 ratings

Irresistible French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes

yield: 4 servings
prep: 15 mins
cook: 25 mins
total: 40 mins
A savory mash-up of classic French onion flavors and hearty beef sloppy joes — caramelized onions, savory beef, tangy Worcestershire and melted cheese on toasted rolls for an irresistible comfort-food sandwich.
Irresistible French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
  • 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
  • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ½ cup (120 ml) beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 4 to 6 sandwich rolls or hamburger buns, split and toasted
  • 4 slices Gruyère or Swiss cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. 1
    Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden and caramelized, about 20–25 minutes. Reduce heat if onions brown too quickly.
  2. 2
    While onions caramelize, in a separate skillet over medium-high heat brown the ground beef until no pink remains, breaking it apart with a spatula. Drain excess fat if desired.
  3. 3
    Add the caramelized onions to the browned beef. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and beef broth. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to medium-low.
  4. 4
    Simmer the mixture for 8–10 minutes until flavors meld and sauce thickens. Season to taste with salt and pepper. If mixture becomes too thick, add a splash more beef broth.
  5. 5
    Spoon the French onion beef mixture onto toasted rolls. Top each sandwich with a slice of Gruyère or Swiss cheese if using and broil briefly until cheese melts. Serve hot.
CLICK FOR NUTRITION INFO ↑

Approximate Information for One Serving

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 620cal
Protein: 32 gg
Fat: 35 gg
Saturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 0mg
Potassium: 0mg
Total Carbs: 45 gg
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 0g
Net Carbs: 0g
Vitamin A: 0
Vitamin C: 0mg
Calcium: 0mg
Iron: 0mg

Nutrition Disclaimers

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

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