When you want to frugally feed a crowd for game day, or a hungry family at dinner, it doesn't get much tastier than French Onion Sloppy Joes!
Easy-to-make homemade ground beef sloppy joes are smothered with plenty of melted Swiss cheese and then are topped with a mound of deeply caramelized, thyme-infused, onions.
What's not to love?!!
**Please Note - The printable recipe card with detailed instructions and complete ingredient measurements for making Game Day French Onion Sloppy Joes is available near the end of this post. OR click on the "jump to recipe" button (found above) to be taken directly to the recipe.
The ingredient list:
**Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience. #CommissionsEarned
- sweet onions, sliced
- fresh thyme sprigs
- ground beef
- chopped celery
- tomato paste
- brown sugar
- apple cider vinegar
- Swiss cheese slices
- grapeseed oil, or other neutral-flavored light oil
- butter
- salt and pepper
- buns
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- large skillet
- chef's knife
- cutting board
- cooking twine (optional)
- measuring cups and spoons
- wooden spoon or spatula
How this easy sandwich recipe came to be:
This is a recipe idea that came to me in the middle of the night and made me grab my pen and paper.
When something like that happens it usually takes me a while to fall back asleep, but this time I drifted back easily, and you can bet that I was dreaming about these French Onion Sloppy Joes!
If you want to get fancier and add more ingredients to your ground beef mixture, have at it.
I, however, wanted to keep things simple so that the flavor of the thyme-infused caramelized onions would shine in this sandwich.
Why this recipe works?
And, when you factor in that these French Onion Sloppy Joes cost only pennies per serving, you'll want to add these to the family dinner roster on a regular rotation! SCORE!
It honestly doesn't get much easier or more delicious than this!
For great recipes for Father's Day, click here to check out my Father's Day Foods recipe roundup!
French Onion Pork Chops (shown in the featured video) is one of my most popular dinner recipes...EVER! Make sure to add it to your menu calendar too. 🙂
Can French onion sloppy joes be frozen after cooking?
Sure thing! Just don't freeze the French onion sloppy joes already made as sandwiches as the buns will get soggy when thawed.
My suggestion is to cool the ground beef and the caramelized onion mixture separately in airtight freezer containers and freeze for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat French onion sloppy joes after freezing:
Thaw the sloppy joe and caramelized onions completely.
Reheating can be done in microwave-safe containers on medium-high power, stirring occasionally.
OR, add the thawed sloppy joes to a skillet and reheat over medium/high heat, stirring occasionally, until hot.
Add cheese slices after heating.
How long will these sloppy joes keep in the refrigerator?
If kept in an airtight container, French onion sloppy joes will keep for 7 days.
To save on space, the sloppy joes and the caramelized onions may be kept in the same container if desired.
How to make thyme-infused caramelized onions:
- Melt butter and oil in a large, heavy skillet.
- Slice 3 - 4 sweet onions and add them to the skillet, tossing to coat with the butter.
- Make a thyme bundle and add them to the skillet along with the onions.
- Cook the onions over medium heat (stirring occasionally) until they've turned a deep golden brown and have cooked down considerably. *Note - this will take approximately 15 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper. Stir well.
- Remove the thyme bundle from the skillet and use the onions immediately, or store them covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
How to make French Onion Sloppy Joes:
- Brown ground beef and diced celery in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season with salt and pepper.
- Stir in tomato paste and brown sugar.
- Add a splash of apple cider vinegar and cook, stirring frequently until the beef is no longer pink and the sloppy joes are heated through.
- Serve on buns with a slice of Swiss cheese and mounds of thyme-infused caramelized onions.
Watch me as I demonstrated this recipe LIVE on Facebook but adapted it and served it over a baked potato:
Want more easy recipes that everyone will love?
- Parmesan Onion Appetizer Squares
- Spicy Thai Pulled Pork Sandwiches for the Slow Cooker
- Cinnamon Praline Pretzels
- Hot Patty Melt Dip
- Sloppy Sausage Bean Dip
- Sloppy José Hot Dogs with Black Beans and Chiles
- Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham
- Apple Oatmeal Cookies with White Chocolate
Below is the printable recipe card along with the exact ingredient measurements and nutritional information for making today's French Onion Sloppy Joes.
⭐If you've made this recipe, or are excited to make this recipe, I'd appreciate it if you'd take a moment to leave it a star rating on the recipe card, along with a comment if you're so inclined. Thank you. 🙂
French Onion Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
For the thyme-infused caramelized onions:
- 4 sweet onions , sliced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 10 sprigs thyme
- butchers twine
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
For the homemade sloppy joes:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 cup celery , diced
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- ¼ cup brown sugar , packed
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 10 slices Swiss Cheese
- 10 hamburger buns
- 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
Instructions
To make the thyme-infused caramelized onions:
- Melt the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion slices. Stir well.
- Make a thyme bundle by wrapping the thyme sprigs with butcher's twine or wrap them in cheesecloth.
- Add the thyme bundle to the onions. Cook, over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the onions are deeply caramelized and reduced. Remove the thyme and discard. Season with salt and pepper. Stir.
- Keep the onions warm until serving or cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days if making them in advance.
To make the homemade sloppy joes:
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and chopped celery.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the brown sugar and apple cider vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, for an additional 3-4 minutes until the flavors have married and the sloppy joes are heated through.
- Serve the sloppy joes on buns and top with slices of Swiss cheese and a helping of thyme-infused caramelized onions.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's easy sandwich recipe for French Onion Sloppy Joes as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you'll come back and visit me often. There is always room for you around my table!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen here on my blog, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. It is always my distinct pleasure to respond to you just as soon as I possibly can.
Suzy says
I love how you took this classic dish and kicked it up a notch! French onion anything is SO GOOD! Loved it!
Sophie Heath says
These French dips are so good! So glad I found this recipe
Debbie says
https://bakedbroiledandbasted.com/20-winning-game-day-recipes/
Great Recipe Thanks for sharing ..YUMM!
Renée says
My pleasure, Debbie!! Enjoy!
Donna says
This is amazing, so good! Love the little twist with adding thyme to the caramelized onions, makes such a great flavour!
Renée says
It really does, Donna! Why not add more flavor whenever possible, right? Thanks so much!!
Linda says
These look perfect for a game day treat! We must have been on the same wavelength because I just made French Onion Chicken with the same delicious onions. I think those onions can elevate any dinner! Great recipe that I'm keeping in mind for the upcoming football season.
Renée says
Everything's better with caramelized onions, in my opinion. Thanks. Linda!
Tanya Schroeder says
This is such a fun take on sloppy joes!
Renée says
Thanks, Tanya!
Sandi says
You had me at those yummy onions!! My whole family is going to love this!
Renée says
I'm sure they will. Enjoy, Sandi!
Sandi says
When I saw the onion in this recipe, I knew I had to make it for my husband. He loved every bite!
Renée says
Good to know. Thanks, Sandi!
Mary George says
Hi,
Top directions say add a splash of apply cider vinegar but the bottom directions say 3 tablespoons?? Isn't that a big difference? Can you please clarify, I need to make these on Saturday.
Meagen Brosius says
My husband is a HUGE french onion soup fan so I knew we had to give these a shot! They are in instant favorite in our house. I'm sure we'll be making these time and time again!
Renée says
Awesome! I make them all the time, too. We LOVE them!! Thanks, Meagen!
Nancy | The Bitter Side of Sweet says
Perfect for a quick and easy meal for a busy night!
Brandi says
Cant wait to make it for my husband and his friends on a game day. Instructions are easy to follow and so detailed!
Renée says
I'm glad you appreciate the instructions. It's important to me to break everything down because not everyone is comfortable in the kitchen.
Denay DeGuzman says
What a delicious recipe! The beautiful caramelized onions added the perfect boost of flavor to these already yummy sloppy joes. Mmmmm...
Renée says
They really do, Denay and that melted cheese doesn't hurt either! LOL
Glad you like the recipe. Thanks!
Jennifer Farley says
The onion is such a perfect way to add flavor!
Renée says
I think so too, Jennifer! Especially since they're caramelized and sweet!
Lindsay Fekitoa says
Amazing! They’re perfect for fall and absolutely delicious.
Renée says
Glad you think so. Thanks, Lindsay!!