Asian Sloppy Joes are a teriyaki-flavored twist on the classic homemade Sloppy Joe recipe, with sweet and tangy flavors instead of the traditional tomato-based sauce. You’ll love how this Korean sloppy joe dinner recipe is ready in under 30 minutes.
Hearty sandwich recipes can be such a great fit for dinner. They can be easy to make, use simple ingredients, and are ready fast! So when the family is hungry, a simple sandwich recipe is a great choice.
Rotating dinner sandwiches like this Maid-Rite recipe, and my Sloppy Joe Sliders with this sweet sloppy joe recipe, is a great way to meal plan dinner ideas by keeping the common ingredients on hand to make them a few times a month.
If you love the flavors in this Asian-inspired dish, try my Asian chicken lettuce wraps too.
Teriyaki Sloppy Joes Recipe Highlights
- Delicious Flavors – The rich sauce is a sweet and salty flavor that’s similar to the flavors of my delicious homemade teriyaki sauce.
- Variations – This recipe is easy to switch out the protein if desired. Ground chicken, pork, veal, turkey, or even plant-based protein can be used in this recipe.
- Serving Options – Serve this version of sloppy joes on buns for a traditional method, on Texas Toast, in a tortilla, in a bowl on top of a lettuce salad, or with rice.
Asian Sloppy Joe Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make these teriyaki-flavored sloppy joes.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- Ground beef: Ground chuck provides a hearty base for the sloppy joe mixture. The fat content helps bind the flavors. You can substitute the beef with an equal amount of ground chicken, turkey, or plant-based crumbles.
- Hoisin sauce: Adds a sweet, tangy, and savory depth to the sauce, giving the dish an Asian-inspired flavor.
- Soy sauce: Introduces umami and saltiness to the dish. Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt levels.
- Honey: Adds sweetness that balances the savory and spicy elements. You can substitute the honey with an equal amount of maple syrup or brown sugar.
- Rice vinegar: Provides acidity, which brightens and balances the richness of the meat mixture. You can substitute the rice vinegar with apple cider or white vinegar.
- Sesame oil: Adds a nutty, toasted flavor that complements the Asian profile of the dish.
- Garlic powder: Provides a subtle garlic flavor that blends smoothly into the sauce. You can substitute garlic powder with fresh minced garlic.
- Fresh ginger: Adds a spicy warmth and aromatic flavor that enhances the dish’s freshness. Grate the ginger finely for better integration.
- Sriracha sauce: Brings heat and a slight garlicky tang to the sloppy joe mixture.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce, giving the sloppy joes a rich, velvety texture. Dissolving cornstarch in cold water before adding it to the mixture helps to avoid lumps.
- Sesame seeds: Provides a slight crunch and nutty flavor, enhancing the presentation.
How to Make Asian Sloppy Joes
Full instructions, with more details can be found in the recipe card below.
Pro Tips
- For a lighter option, use ground chicken or turkey.
- Peeling ginger: Always peel the ginger with a spoon or knife before grating to remove the tough outer skin.
- Toast buns: If you prefer, toast the sandwich buns until golden before serving.
- More texture: For added texture, you can include shredded carrots or cabbage.
- Add spice: You can increase the heat by adding an additional tablespoon of sriracha sauce to the sauce mixture.
What to Serve with Korean Sloppy Joes
- Baked Potato Wedges: These can be baked in the oven while the sloppy joes are cooking on the stovetop.
- For something a little lighter, this Italian cucumber salad recipe is refreshing and cold, that compliments the heavier, warm, sandwich.
- This broccoli crunch salad has a creamy, cool, sauce that also has a crunchy texture that pairs well with the soft meaty texture of the sandwich.
- A fried southern treat, these fried pickle slices are tangy and fun to pop in your mouth alongside any sandwich.
FAQs
Similar to the classic sloppy joes, Asian sloppy joes have a sweet and tangy, teriyaki-type sauce instead of a tomato-based sauce.
Ground beef if recommended but this can easily be substituted with ground chicken or ground turkey, or even a plant-based protein.
Absolutely. Substitute ground beef for plant-based meat.
Storage Instructions
- Store any leftover sloppy joe mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave before serving.
Other Dinner Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re a fan of easy, hearty dinner recipes like this one, you’ll also love these reader favorites:
Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!
Recipe
Asian Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 16 ounces ground beef
- ½ cup hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon water
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 4 sandwich buns or slider buns for smaller portions
- ¼ cup green onions chopped for garnish
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds optional garnish
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 16 ounces of ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a meat chopper or wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked about 8 minutes. Drain the excess fat and place the cooked meat into a bowl. Set the hot skillet aside.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together ½ cup hoisin sauce, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger, 1 tablespoon sriracha, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder until combined. Then, add the sauce mixture back into the pan and begin to simmer the sauce over medium-high heat.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1 teaspoon water and 1 teaspoon cornstarch until combined. Add the slurry to the warmed sauce mixture.
- Return the browned ground beef to the skillet with the sauce, stirring to coat evenly. Simmer for about 10 minutes until everything is heated through.
- Toast the sandwich buns until golden. Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto each bun.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and garnish with chopped green onions. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Toast buns: If you prefer, toast the sandwich buns until golden before serving.
- More texture: For added texture, you can include shredded carrots or cabbage.
- Add spice: You can increase the heat by adding an additional tablespoon of sriracha sauce to the sauce mixture.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Jessica says
Such a fun spin on this popular recipe! I hope you love it as much as we do!