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Sloppy joe facts for kids

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Sloppy Joe
Sloppy Joe "homemade".jpg
A homemade sloppy joe with coleslaw
Alternative names Wimpies
Yip yips
Slushburgers
Barbecues
Hot tamales
Taverns
Course Main
Place of origin United States
Serving temperature Hot, sometimes served cold after improvising on the original burger
Main ingredients Ground beef
Onions
Sweetened tomato sauce or ketchup
Various seasonings
Hamburger bun
Variations Multiple
Food energy
(per serving)
~659 kcal

A sloppy joe is a yummy American sandwich. It's made with cooked ground beef. This beef is mixed with a sweet tomato sauce or ketchup. It also has onions and other spices. All of this delicious mix is served on a soft hamburger bun. It's called "sloppy" because it can be messy to eat!

What is a Sloppy Joe?

A sloppy joe is a popular dish in the United States. It is often served for lunch or dinner. The main part of a sloppy joe is the meat mixture. This mixture is usually made from ground beef. The beef is cooked and then mixed with a special sauce. This sauce gives the sloppy joe its unique taste.

The Main Ingredients

The key ingredients for a sloppy joe are simple. You need ground beef, which is finely chopped meat. Onions are often added for flavor. The sauce is usually a sweetened tomato sauce or ketchup. Sometimes, people add other spices like chili powder or mustard. All these ingredients are cooked together until the sauce is thick.

How it's Served

Once the meat mixture is ready, it is spooned onto a hamburger bun. The bun helps hold the messy filling. Sloppy joes are usually served hot. They are a favorite at picnics, school cafeterias, and family meals. Some people like to eat them with French fries or coleslaw.

History of the Sloppy Joe

The exact start of the sloppy joe is a bit unclear. Many stories say it began in the early 1900s. One popular story points to a cook named Joe. He worked in a cafe in Sioux City, Iowa. This cook added tomato sauce to his loose meat sandwiches. This made them "sloppy" and gave them a new name.

Other Names for Sloppy Joes

Over time, this sandwich became very popular. It also got many different names. In some places, people called them "Wimpies" or "Yip yips." Other names included "Slushburgers" or "Taverns." No matter the name, the idea was always the same: a tasty, saucy meat sandwich.

Becoming a Classic Dish

The sloppy joe became a classic American comfort food. It was easy to make and affordable. This made it a great meal during tough times. Recipes for sloppy joes started appearing in cookbooks. Soon, it was a common dish in homes across the country. Today, you can even find pre-made sloppy joe sauce in stores.

Making Your Own Sloppy Joe

Making a sloppy joe at home is fun and easy. First, you cook the ground beef in a pan. You can drain any extra fat. Then, you add chopped onions and cook them until they are soft. After that, you stir in the tomato sauce or ketchup. You can also add your favorite spices. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes. This helps the flavors mix together. Finally, spoon the warm mixture onto a toasted bun. Enjoy your homemade sloppy joe!

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Sloppy joe para niños

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