Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese

Name: Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 medium yellow onion, diced; 1 tbsp minced garlic; 8 oz tomato sauce; 1/4 cup ketchup; 1 tbsp yellow mustard; 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 2 tbsp barbecue sauce; 4 brioche buns; 8 slices American cheese; 2 tbsp butter, for toasting; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste; 1 bag tater tots, cooked

This sloppy joe grilled cheese combines seasoned ground beef in a tangy-sweet tomato sauce with melted American cheese on toasted brioche buns. It's a hybrid comfort sandwich that delivers messy, cheesy indulgence in every bite.

🌍American 🏷️Sloppy joe 🏷️Grilled cheese 🏷️Sandwich 🏷️Ground beef American cheese

🏷️

🏷️Comfort food

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TikTok

Total

20 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$26–$43

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

-0:00

TikTok

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 tbsp minced garlic
8 oz tomato sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tbsp yellow mustard
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp barbecue sauce
4 brioche buns
8 slices American cheese
2 tbsp butter, for toasting
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
1 bag tater tots, cookedoptional

14 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Preheat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat.
2
Add the ground beef and diced onion to the hot griddle. Break up the beef with a spatula and cook until browned.
3
Season the beef and onion mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
4
Once the beef is cooked through, lower the heat. Add the minced garlic, tomato sauce, ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and barbecue sauce.
5
Stir everything together to combine and let the mixture simmer until it reaches your desired consistency.
6
While the meat simmers, butter the cut sides of the buns and toast them on the griddle until golden brown.
7
To assemble the sandwiches, place a slice of American cheese on the bottom half of each toasted bun.
8
Spoon a generous amount of the sloppy joe mixture over the cheese.
9
Place a second slice of American cheese on top of the meat, then cover with the top half of the bun.
10
Serve immediately, optionally with a side of tater tots.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Drain excess liquid from the cooked ground beef before adding the sauce—this prevents soggy buns and keeps the sandwich structurally sound.
Toast the brioche buns under a broiler or in a skillet until golden and firm; this creates a barrier against moisture and adds texture contrast.
Layer the cheese slices directly on the warm toasted bun so they begin to melt before you add the sloppy joe filling.
Use a slotted spoon when serving the sloppy joe mixture so excess sauce pools in the pan rather than soaking the sandwich.

Substitutions

American cheese → Cheddar, Swiss, or provolone (will melt similarly but with different flavor profile)
Brioche buns → Standard hamburger buns or Texas toast (will be less buttery but equally functional)
Ground beef → Ground turkey or ground chicken (use same weight; flavor will be leaner)
Ketchup + mustard + Worcestershire + barbecue sauce → 1 cup prepared sloppy joe sauce mix (convenience swap)

Storage & make-ahead

Store the sloppy joe filling refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days; reheat gently on the stovetop. Assemble sandwiches fresh to order for best texture.

Common Questions

Can I make the sloppy joe filling ahead of time?

Yes. The filling keeps refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, before serving.

What cheese works best if I don't have American cheese?

Cheddar, Swiss, or provolone work well. American cheese melts smoothest, but any good melting cheese will work.

How do I prevent the sandwich from falling apart?

Don't overfill—use a slotted spoon to drain excess sauce from the beef mixture before piling it onto the buns. Toast the buns until firm but not hard.