Craving something hearty, cheesy, and downright fun for dinner—but short on time? Sloppy Joe Grilled Burritos are your answer! This fantastic spin on the classic Sloppy Joe packs all the nostalgic sauciness you love inside a crispy, melty burrito shell. Each bite is a flavor explosion—juicy seasoned beef, sweet and tangy homemade Sloppy Joe sauce, colorful bell peppers, and a glorious duo of creamy cheese sauce and melty shreds—all grilled together in just 20 minutes. These burritos are weeknight superheroes, perfect for when your schedule is busy and you want dinner to steal the show!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Incredibly Quick: From start to finish, you’ll need about 20 minutes—just enough time to set the table and gather your hungry crew.
  • Family Friendly: There’s something so satisfying and familiar about Sloppy Joes, and wrapping them in a warm tortilla only makes them better.
  • Packed with Flavor: From smoky Worcestershire and ketchup to tender veggies and gooey cheese, this is comfort food at its best.
  • Totally Adaptable: Customize the fillings, tweak the spice, or swap in your favorite cheeses!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what takes these burritos over the top—and why every part matters:

  • Lean Ground Beef: The heart of the filling—use a lean cut for less greasiness but maximum juicy flavor.
  • Onions: Brings sweetness and a bit of crunch—perfectly balancing the savory beef.
  • Red & Green Bell Peppers: Adds color, subtle sweetness, and a fresh bite.
  • Seasonings (Salt, Pepper, Garlic Salt): Essential for highlighting every other flavor. Don’t skimp here!
  • Dry Mustard: A punch of warmth and depth that echoes classic Sloppy Joe flavor.
  • Cheese Sauce: Creamy, rich, and it melts into every nook—use your favorite or a homemade version.
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese: The finishing touch for delicious cheesy stretches in every bite. Feel free to substitute with Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or any cheese you love.
  • Sloppy Joe Sauce Mixture:
    • Ketchup: Sweet and tangy base—nothing complicated.
    • Worcestershire Sauce: Slightly smoky richness that really deepens the flavor.
    • Brown Sugar: Brings balance, just the right amount of sweetness.
    • Salt, Pepper, Onion Powder, Garlic Salt: For that unmistakable homemade edge.
  • Large Flour Tortillas: Soft and pliable, these hold everything together. Wheat tortillas work great, too.
  • Oil: To get that irresistible golden crisp on the outside of your burritos.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

The beauty of this recipe is how easily it adapts to your cravings or pantry staples:

  • Go Meatless: Swap ground beef for cooked lentils, black beans, or a plant-based ground meat.
  • Spicy Twist: Add chopped jalapeños to the filling or drizzle with hot sauce before grilling.
  • More Veggies: Toss in corn, spinach, or zucchini for extra color and nutrition.
  • Different Cheeses: Use smoked gouda, Monterey Jack, or a spicy pepper jack for a new flavor.

If you’re gluten-free, use gluten-free tortillas and double-check your sauces!

How to Make Sloppy Joe Grilled Burritos

Let’s break this down so you can have dinner on the table, fast:

1. Sauté the Beef and Veggies

Season your ground beef well, then brown it in a hot skillet. Don’t rush this step—the caramelization is where the flavor begins. Once nearly cooked, toss in chopped onions and bell peppers. Cook a few minutes more, just until the veggies soften.

2. Mix and Pour the Sauce

Meanwhile, stir together your Sloppy Joe sauce ingredients in a bowl: ketchup, Worcestershire, brown sugar, and spices, blending well. Pour this over the beef and veggie mixture, and stir to coat evenly. Let it simmer for a minute so all those flavors can mingle.

3. Assemble the Burritos

Grab a large flour tortilla and lay it flat. Spoon the hot Sloppy Joe mixture down the center. Top generously with cheese sauce, then scatter your shredded cheddar on top.

4. Fold and Grill

Fold the sides over, then roll up burrito-style, tucking ends in tightly to hold all that goodness inside. Heat a little oil in a clean pan over medium heat. Place your burrito seam-side down and grill for a minute per side until crispy and lightly golden.

5. Serve Hot!

Slice in half to reveal that cheesy, saucy core, and enjoy!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

  • Don’t Overfill: It’s tempting, but too much filling makes burritos tough to roll and seal.
  • Seal with Cheese: Always put cheese (especially sauce) near the filling—it helps “glue” the edges.
  • Crispy Finish: Don’t rush grilling; that last minute in the oiled pan is everything!
  • Prep Ahead: Cook your beef filling ahead of time and assemble burritos fresh when you’re ready.

How to Serve

These burritos are a meal on their own, but consider these tasty add-ons:

  • With Sides: Pair with a crisp green salad, tangy coleslaw, or a handful of tortilla chips.
  • Dipping Sauces: Serve with extra cheese sauce, salsa, or even a dollop of sour cream for dipping.
  • Party Platter: Slice into thirds for a perfect game day snack, served with pickled jalapeños and extra hot sauce.

Add a lime wedge or sprinkle of cilantro for a fresh, zesty touch!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap burritos tightly in foil or plastic wrap and tuck into an airtight container. They’ll stay delicious in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezing

These burritos are freezer-friendly! Let them cool, wrap each tightly, and pop into a freezer bag. They’ll happily keep for up to 2 months.

Reheating

To reheat, warm in the microwave (unwrap first) or re-crisp in a skillet or oven at 350°F until hot throughout. If reheating from frozen, defrost overnight in the fridge before warming.

FAQs

  1. Can I make these ahead for meal prep?

    Absolutely. You can prepare the beef filling up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate. When it’s dinner time, simply roll, grill, and serve.

  2. What’s the best way to prevent burritos from becoming soggy?

    Let the filling cool slightly before rolling and avoid overfilling with sauce. Grilling in a pan crisps up the outside and acts as a barrier to keep everything inside fresh.

  3. Can I use a different kind of meat or make them vegetarian?

    Definitely—ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based substitute like lentils or vegetarian crumbles all work beautifully. Adjust seasoning to taste.

  4. How do I keep them from unrolling during grilling?

    Make sure the seam is on the bottom of the pan when you start grilling, and press down lightly with a spatula. Melting cheese helps “seal” the burrito as it cooks.

Final Thoughts

Don’t wait for a special occasion to whip up these Sloppy Joe Grilled Burritos—this is comfort food perfected, made weeknight-friendly. They’re bold, cheesy, and so easy to put your own spin on. Whether you’re feeding a busy family, meal-prepping for the week, or just craving a warm, satisfying bite, give this recipe a try. Enjoy every cheesy, saucy mouthful—and don’t forget to make an extra batch for leftovers!

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Sloppy Joe Grilled Burritos Recipe

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  • Author: Nora
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Main-course
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Halal
Print Recipe

Description

These Sloppy Joe Grilled Burritos combine the comforting flavors of classic sloppy joes with the satisfying texture of a grilled burrito. Perfectly seasoned ground beef, a tangy homemade sauce, melted cheese, and fresh vegetables are wrapped in a flour tortilla and grilled to crispy perfection for a crowd-pleasing main course.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Sloppy Joe Beef Filling

  • 2 lbs Lean Ground Beef
  • 1/2 cup Onions, chopped
  • 1/4 cup Red Bell Peppers, chopped
  • 1/4 cup Green Bell Peppers, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Salt, Pepper, Garlic Salt (mixed, divided as needed)
  • 1/2 tablespoon Dry Mustard

For the Sloppy Joe Sauce

  • 1/2 cup Ketchup
  • 3 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
  • 1/2 tablespoon Salt, Pepper, Onion Powder, and Garlic Salt (mixed, divided as needed)

For Assembly

  • 4–6 large Flour Tortillas (Wheat can be substituted)
  • 1/2 cup prepared Cheese Sauce (see separate recipe in “Sauces”)
  • 1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (or any of your favorite cheese)
  • 1 tablespoon Oil (for frying)

Instructions

  1. Season the Ground Beef – Place the lean ground beef in a large bowl or skillet. Add your salt, pepper, garlic salt mixture, and dry mustard. Mix well to combine all seasonings throughout the meat.
  2. Brown the Beef – Over medium-high heat, cook the seasoned ground beef for about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully browned and crumbly.
  3. Add Vegetables – Add chopped onions, red bell peppers, and green bell peppers to the browned beef. Stir and cook for an additional 2 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened. Keep the mixture warm.
  4. Prepare the Sloppy Joe Sauce – In a separate bowl, mix together ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic salt. Stir until the ingredients are well blended.
  5. Combine Sauce and Meat – Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetable mixture in the skillet. Stir to thoroughly coat the meat. Keep warm until ready to assemble the burritos.
  6. Assemble the Burritos – Lay a large flour tortilla flat. Spoon the hot sloppy joe mixture into the center. Drizzle with cheese sauce and sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
  7. Fold and Grill Burritos – Fold each tortilla over the filling to form a burrito. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Grill each burrito for about 1 minute per side, or until golden and crispy.
  8. Serve – Remove from skillet, let cool slightly, and serve hot for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Wheat tortillas may be substituted for flour tortillas for a healthier alternative.
  • Customize cheese choices to your liking; pepper jack or mozzarella work nicely.
  • If desired, add jalapeños or hot sauce for a spicy twist.
  • Burritos can be wrapped ahead and reheated on a skillet for quick serving.
  • Recipe source: Familycookbookproject.com

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 burrito (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
  • Calories: 686
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 2883mg
  • Fat: 32g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16g
  • Trans Fat: 1g
  • Carbohydrates: 44g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 53g
  • Cholesterol: 155mg
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Hey there, I’m Nora Blake, the foodie behind LittleSpoonBites.com! I’m here to make cooking YUMMY, EASY, and a whole lotta FUN! From cozy dinners to sweet treats, I’m all about simple recipes that taste like a warm hug. So grab a spoon, tie that apron, and let’s whip up something DELICIOUS together!

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