Sloppy joe sandwich, on white bun
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A sloppy joe sandwich is a loose-meat sandwich, typically made with ground beef simmered in a tangy, sweet tomato-based sauce and served on a soft white bun. The texture is a hearty, saucy contrast between the tender meat mixture and the pillowy bread. Nutritionally, it provides a solid protein source (11.32g per 100g) alongside a notable carbohydrate content from both the bun and added sugars in the sauce.
Calorie split: 25% protein · 44% carbs · 32% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love the sloppy joe for its comforting, nostalgic flavor profile—a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy—and its unpretentious, hearty nature that makes it a classic for casual family dinners and cookouts.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The combination of refined white bun and sugary sauce can lead to rapid blood-sugar spikes, and the dish can be high in sodium. To counteract this, pair it with a fiber-rich side like a green salad or steamed broccoli, use a whole-grain bun, and consider draining excess fat from the meat.
Key benefits
- Good source of protein for muscle maintenance.
- Provides quick energy from carbohydrates.
- Contains iron and B vitamins from the ground beef.
- A convenient and satisfying one-handed meal.
- Highly customizable with different spices and vegetables.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The name 'sloppy joe' is also famously associated with a legendary, no-frills bar and restaurant in Key West, Florida, called Sloppy Joe's, which opened in 1933.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 60.8 g |
| Energy | 185 kcal |
| Protein | 11.3 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 6.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 19.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.1 g |
| Total Sugars | 4.9 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 59.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 2.2 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 19.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 101 mg |
| Potassium, K | 232 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 360 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.2 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.12 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 15.5 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 5.9 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.20 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.17 mg |
| Niacin | 3.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.17 mg |
| Folate, total | 37.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 17.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 20.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 49.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 33.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.88 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 7.0 ug |
| Retinol | 1.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 69.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 1.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 4396 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 14.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.54 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 3.0 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.2 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.15 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.3 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.69 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.5 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.19 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.2 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.75 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.65 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.08 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 26.0 mg |
FAQ
What is the main protein in a sloppy joe?
The traditional and most common protein is ground beef. However, variations using ground turkey, chicken, pork, or plant-based crumbles are popular.
Is the sauce from a can or homemade?
Both are common. Many classic recipes use a canned tomato sauce base enhanced with onions, peppers, and spices, while others make a completely homemade sauce from tomatoes, ketchup, and seasonings.
Why is it called a 'sloppy' joe?
The name refers to the messy, saucy nature of the loose-meat filling, which makes the sandwich notoriously difficult to eat neatly.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.85 kcal/g · 24% calories from protein · 1.1 g fiber · 4.9 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 1.55 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.