BBQ Sloppy Joe Bread Bowls

BBQ Sloppy Joe Bread Bowls are a fun twist on classic sloppy joes. Made with ground beef, veggies, barbecue sauce, and spices. Piled-high in a bread bowl and topped with cheddar cheese. Simple and delicious meal ready in 30 minutes. 

Growing up we had sloppy Joes at least once a week for dinner. 

I LOVE sloppy joes. 

What’s not to like about a crumbly meat sauce sandwiched between fluffy burger buns? I’ve made my fair share of sloppy joes on The Curious Plate. A few favorites come to mind: Sloppy Joe Ground Turkey Casserole, Bolognese Sloppy Joes, Easy Sloppy Joe Ground Turkey Nachos, and now these BBQ Sloppy Joe Bread Bowls!

As I mentioned above I do love a classic sloppy Joe but sometimes a girl needs to mix it up. I thought stuffing this delicious meat sauce into a large bread bowl and topping it with copious amounts of cheese would hit the comfort spot. 

What’s your favorite way to enjoy sloppy Joes? 

History of Sloppy Joes: Few Theories on Where this Sandwich Started

Iowa Loose Meat Sandwich: One popular theory attributes the origin of sloppy joes to a sandwich called the “loose meat sandwich” in the 1920s. The Ye Old Tavern in Sioux City, Iowa, claimed to have created this sandwich where seasoned loose ground beef was served on a bun. Over time, this concept evolved into the modern sloppy joe.

Key West, Florida: Another theory suggests that the sloppy joe sandwich originated in the 1930s in Key West, Florida. According to this story, a local bar owner named Joe Russell created the sandwich and named it after himself. The bar, now known as Sloppy Joe’s Bar, is still a popular establishment in Key West.

Hemingway Connection: There is a connection between the writer Ernest Hemingway and the Key West theory. It is said that Hemingway frequented Sloppy Joe’s Bar, and the bar’s owner, Joe Russell, was a friend of Hemingway. Some believe that Hemingway may have influenced the creation or popularity of the sandwich.

Campbell’s Soup Inspiration: Yet another theory is that sloppy joes gained popularity during the 1950s and 1960s when companies like Campbell’s Soup began promoting canned versions of the sauce. This convenience factor helped popularize the dish in households across the United States.

Ingredients used to make BBQ Sloppy Joe Bread Bowls 

You will need the following ingredients from your pantry to make this delicious dish:

• Ground beef
• Yellow onion
• Red pepper
• Barbecue sauce
• Ketchup
• Bread bowls
• Cheddar cheese
• Unsalted Butter
• Garlic powder and Onion powder
• Garlic

How to Make these BBQ Sloppy Joe Bread Bowls 

I’m a big fan of easy dinners and classic sloppy joes are always a hit. The meat sauce quickly comes together in one-skillet and is piled-high into a garlic-infused bread bowl. Check out the following steps to make this dish in less than 30 minutes:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Using a paring knife cut a large circle in the top of the boule. You will want to cut a hole that goes ¾ of way down into the center or enough of a hole to add in the sloppy joe meat. Remove the excess bread and place on a baking sheet. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan and stir in garlic powder, onion powder, and garlic. Using a pastry brush, brush the insides of each boule
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat add a splash of olive oil and the ground beef. Using a wooden spoon, break up the beef and cook until it is no longer pink, about 5 to 7 minutes. Next, add in the onion, red pepper and garlic. Keep cooking until the vegetables have softened for about 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the barbecue sauce, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. If you need to add water at this point to help thin out the sauce that’s okay. Bring the mixture to a simmer and simmer for about 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 
3. Spoon the sloppy joe mixture into each boule. Sprinkle the tops with cheddar cheese and cook in the oven for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy! 

Variations for BBQ Sloppy Joe Bread Bowls 

Best part about making these sloppy Joes are all the variations. Here are few ideas to customize your sloppy Joe making experience: 

• Meat variations: Instead of using ground beef you could also use ground chicken, turkey, or pork.
• Barbecue sauce: A quick and easy way to mix up this meat sauce is with different flavors of barbecue sauce. Try chipotle, teriyaki, or even Caroline gold.  
• Bread bowls: Fun to way to serve these sloppy Joes besides the traditional bread bowl is by piling the sauce into a large baguette or smaller rolls for bite-sized party bites. 
• Toppings: When it comes to topping your sloppy joe bread bowl there are many options from jalapenos, diced white onion, cheddar cheese, salsa, fried onions, etc.Play around with different toppings to make mealtime fun! 

Proper Storing 

Here are some guidelines on how to store this dish: 

Refrigeration: If you have leftover BBQ sloppy joe bread bowls, store them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap. Consume the leftovers within 2-3 days for the best taste and texture.

Freezing: If you want to store BBQ sloppy joe bread bowls for a longer period, consider freezing them. Wrap each individual bread bowl tightly with plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn. Place the wrapped bread bowls in a sealable plastic bag or airtight container. Frozen bread bowls can be stored for 1-2 months.

Reheating: To reheat refrigerated BBQ sloppy joe bread bowls, preheat your oven to around 350°F. Remove any plastic wrap and place the bread bowls on a baking sheet. Warm them in the oven for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through.