Name: Best French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced; 1 pound ground beef; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 3/4 cup beef broth; 4 slices provolone or Swiss cheese; 4 sandwich buns, toasted

Juicy, savory, and kissed with caramelized onions and melted cheese, these Best French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes are a flavor-packed twist on the classic sandwich. Imagine the rich, buttery depth of French onion soup transformed into a weeknight-friendly sloppy joe—messy in the best way and guaranteed to become a comfort food favorite.

What makes this version so crave-worthy is the balance of sweet onions slowly cooked until golden, combined with seasoned ground beef and a beefy, thyme-infused sauce. Top it off with gooey provolone or Swiss cheese, and you’ve got a sandwich that tastes like it’s been simmering all day but takes under 30 minutes to make.

What Kind of Bread Should I Use for Sloppy Joes?

Soft, sturdy buns are best—brioche, potato, or even ciabatta rolls work beautifully. You want something that can soak up the saucy filling without falling apart. For a little crispness, butter and toast the buns before assembling.

Ingredients for the Best French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
1 pound ground beef
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 cup beef broth
4 slices provolone or Swiss cheese
4 sandwich buns, toasted

How To Make the Best French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes

Step 1: Caramelize the Onions

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently, until deeply golden and caramelized.

Step 2: Cook the Beef

Push the onions to the side and add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.

Step 3: Build the Flavor

Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes.

Step 4: Simmer with Broth

Pour in the beef broth, stir everything together, and let simmer for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 5: Assemble the Sandwiches

Spoon the mixture onto toasted buns, top with cheese slices, and cover to melt the cheese. Serve hot.

How to Serve and Store French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes

Serve these sloppy joes warm with a side of crispy fries, a simple green salad, or even roasted veggies. For a fun twist, try them open-faced and broiled to melt the cheese fully.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of broth if it gets too thick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! The filling can be made a day in advance. Just reheat and assemble when ready to serve.

What cheese is best?

Provolone and Swiss both melt beautifully and complement the onion flavor, but mozzarella or Gruyère also work great.

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely. Ground turkey or chicken are great lighter options and still soak up all the flavor.

Is this freezer-friendly?

Yes, you can freeze the filling for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in a pan.

How do I make it spicy?

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce while cooking the beef.

Want More Sandwich Ideas?

If you love these savory French onion sloppy joes, check out some of my other satisfying and easy-to-make favorites:

Buffalo Chicken Calzone for a spicy handheld twist.
Grilled Cheese Burrito Recipe that mashes up two comfort classics.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole for cheesy, creamy indulgence.
Sausage Rolls Appetizer Recipe when you’re in snack mode.
The Ultimate Homemade McGriddle if breakfast-for-dinner is your thing.

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time: Follow Nina Dishes on Pinterest.

Let me know in the comments how your version turned out! Did you try Gruyère? Maybe add mushrooms or switch up the protein?

I love hearing how you make these your own. Ask questions, share photos—let’s cook better together.

Best French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes

Author: Nina Klatten
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Print Recipe

Description

These French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes combine the cozy, caramelized goodness of French onion soup with a hearty, cheesy sandwich twist. Quick to make and impossible to resist, they’re your new weeknight favorite.

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden and caramelized.

2. Push onions to one side and add the ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking up the meat. Drain excess fat if necessary.

3. Stir in garlic, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes.

4. Add beef broth, stir, and simmer for 5–7 minutes until thickened.

5. Spoon onto toasted buns, top with cheese, and serve warm.