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    Home > Sandwich Ideas > Church Supper Sloppy Joes For a Crowd, Serves 60

    Church Supper Sloppy Joes For a Crowd, Serves 60

    Published: Oct 5, 2009 · Modified: Aug 6, 2022 by Lea Ann Brown · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Sloppy Joes for 60 to feed a party crowd

    Sloppy Joes for a crowd. This is a recipe from our old Church cookbook for Sloppy Joes to serve a large group. This recipe from the book is titled Sloppy Joes for 60. So if you’re looking for a recipe for Sloppy Joes for a crowd for your next party, this will fit that bill. Let’s take a look.

    Sloppy Joes on a bun with potato chips on the side.

    Where did this Sloppy Joe Recipe Come From?

    This old fashioned sloppy joe recipe is from my church cookbook.  The church that I attended when I was growing up in the middle of Kansas.  

    You’ll find Sloppy Joes for 60 along with Baptist Punch for 100, which is an odd combination of ginger ale, Kool-Aid, Hawaiian Punch and 7-Up.  I was surprised to see they didn’t add five cups of sugar, I wonder if it’s sweet enough.  Do they even make Hawaiian Punch anymore?  

    Church ladies often published these types of recipes serving large groups because of Church socials or Church suppers.

    This is a great recipe to keep on hand in case you’ve invited 58 friends over for dinner, or if you’re the Osmonds and have 58 of your great grandchildren over for lunch  (hey, I–am–not–making–that–up,  it was on Oprah on Friday). 

    Or if you’re empty nesters like us it will yield you 30 Sloppy Joes each. 🙂

    For tonight’s dinner we weren’t all that hungry, so I decided to scale the recipe down from 60 servings to 2. 😉  

    But below you’ll find the original recipe. 

    The flavor of this recipe is perfect sloppy joe flavor in our books. Sweet tangy and savory. 

    Ingredients to Make Sloppy Joes for A Crowd

    Ingredients to make sloppy joes for a large crowd
    • Hamburger Buns: Not all hamburger are created equal. There are some very large buns available for sale. Choose the smaller 3 1/2 inch buns for this recipe to accommodate the number of servings.
    • Apple Cider Vinegar
    • Brown Sugar: Dark or light brown sugar will work for this recipe.
    • Mustard: Plain ol’ yellow mustard. Keep in simple with good old fashioned flavor.
    • Ketchup
    • Onion: Chopped sweet or yellow onion is best for this recipe. A red onion will add too strong of flavor and may compromise the overall flavor.
    • Celery: Chopped
    • Ground Beef: Save the 80/20 blend of ground beef for those burgers on the grill. Buy lean or extra lean ground beef for this recipe, 90% lean is a good guideline. You can use 80-20 but you’ll need to drain the grease before adding ingredients and the yield of final beef amount will lessen.
    • Flour: We’re adding just a little all-purpose flour to the mix to thicken the consistency. If you need to make gluten-free Sloppy Joes, omit the flour.

    How many pounds of hamburger do I need for 50 Sloppy Joes? 6 – 7 pounds of hamburger is am ample amount for 50 – 60 Sloppy Joes, depending on the bun size. The celery, onion, and liquid ingredients bulk up the hamburger weight to make enough fill a smaller burger bun.

    How To Make Sloppy Joes for 60

    Once you’re done chopping the onions and celery, this recipe is very easy to throw together.

    Browning ground beef for sloppy joes to serve 60.
    Step 1
    • Step 1: Brown the ground beef. Find the largest fry pan you can and brown hamburger meat in three batches. Once the first batch is about half way browned, add 1/3 of the onion, 1/3 of the celery and 1/3 of the flour. Once the meat is browned, move the mixture to a big soup pot and repeat with two more batches.
    Cooking ground beef for sloppy joes for 60
    Step 2
    • Step 2: Use an 8 quart soup pot. I have used a 6 quart, it works but a little tight on space.
    Sloppy joes for a large crowd cooking in a big soup pot
    Step 3
    • Step 3: Once all of the ingredients are in the big soup pot, add remainder of the ingredients and simmer for at least 30 minutes. If the mixture seems dry, or needs a little punch of flavor, I add a little bit of your favorite bottled bbq sauce.

    Important Note: Please make sure to check the notes in the recipe card below, depending how the amount served per bun, this recipe can be a recipe for Sloppy Joes for 50, if using 1/2 cup servings per bun, or 1/3 cup servings will give you a Sloppy Joes Recipe for 60. And then there’s always that Sloppy Joe Sliders equasion.

    The History of Sloppy Joes

    When I decided to prepare this recipe, I wondered about the origin of the name “Sloppy Joe”, so I Googled “Where did the name Sloppy Joe come from”  sure enough I was rewarded with answers:

    One web site claims:   The Original Sloppy Joe Sandwich was invented at Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Key West. The original is still available and consists of ground beef in a sweet rich tomato sauce, with onions, peppers and spices.

    Hence the sandwich was named for the establishment, not the consistency, as suggested by the Manwich recipe people.

    (Ok now this really bothers me, what’s up with those Manwich “people” starting ugly rumors?)

    Another web site suggests that it was named after a Green Bay Packer team member Joe Krzrwinski … aka “Sloppy”, a nickname given to him for his inconsistent play on the field. The first creation was made with ground sausage during 1930.

    According to another story, the sandwich was named after the Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Havana, Cuba which was the first to serve a sandwich of this variety.

    So depending on if you’re a Cheese Head, or a Parrot Head you’ve got your answer.

    Even James Beard, the 20th Century Godfather of American cooking wrote about Sloppy Joes: “This is a product of the modern age, and though it is not a palate-tingling delight it has a large public.”

    Perhaps Beard’s generous use of a 1/4 cup of Worcestershire sauce in his version of Sloppy Joes had something to do with his unenthusiastic view.  Plus I think it’s a slap in the face to white-trash food.  Just who does he think he is???  (Oh, that’s right, he’s the 20th century godfather of American Cooking.)

    Sloppy Joes for large group gatherings are an easy way to feed that crowd. 

    Sloppy Joe Recipe For Large Crowd

    A sloppy joe sandwich recipe to feed 60 people.

    Sloppy Joes are a super easy way to serve a main course to a large group.

    These Sloppy Joes are a great recipe to feed a large group. I made these for a block party a few years ago, and I can’t tell you how many times I was asked for the recipe.

    I hope you give this Sloppy Joe Recipe a try next time you’re hosting. And if you do, please come back and give the recipe a star rating and leave a message about your experience with the recipe.

    And if you have a recipe for feeding a large group, let me know, I’d love to give it a try. I host our yearly block party and am always looking for recipe ideas.

    What Side Dishes Go With Sloppy Joes?

    Looking for side dish recipes to serve a crowd with these Sloppy Joes? Just double or triple these recipes. Pioneer Woman’s Best Pasta Salad, Classic Potato Salad, or a big pot of Calico Beans.

    More Recipes To Feed A Crowd

    • Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork Slow Cooker Recipe for Sliders
    • Pork Butt Brine, Recipe From Manor Vail Lodge
    • Rio Grande Restaurant Grilled Skirt Steak Fajitas Recipe
    • How To Make Hatch Green Chili Colorado with Pork

    And if you’re in the sandwich mood, don’t miss my Sandwich Category. You’ll find lots of fun ideas. Including the most popular sandwich recipe on my site for Perfect Sloppy Joes This is a just-right flavored, no guess, recipe for Perfect Sloppy Joes. Make these with ground beef, ground turkey, or a combo of half ground beef and half Italian Sausage

    And, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more delicious recipes and cooking tips. Make it a delicious day … every day.

    If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below. And write a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback.

    Sloppy Joes on a bun with potato chips on the side.

    Church Supper Sloppy Joes for 60

    Sloppy Joe Recipe For Large Crowd, Church Cookbook Recipe.
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course Beef
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 60
    Calories: 263kcal
    Author: Lea Ann Brown

    Ingredients

    • 8 pounds ground beef extra lean
    • 1/3 cup flour
    • 2 1/2 cups celery diced
    • 2 1/2 cups onion diced, about 2 medium onions
    • 1/2 cup mustard or more to taste
    • 1/2 cup vinegar
    • 1/2 cup brown sugar light brown, or dark brown
    • 28 ounces catsup 3 1/2 cups
    • 2 cups water
    • 60 Hamburger buns small ones, but not slider buns
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • In a very large fry pan, brown hamburger meat in three batches. Once the first batch is about half way browned, add 1/3 of the onion, 1/3 of the celery and 1/3 of the flour. Once the meat is browned, move the mixture to a big soup pot and repeat with two more batches.
    • Use an 8 quart soup pot. I have used a 6 quart, it works but a little tight on space.
    • Once all of the ingredients are in the big soup pot, add remainder of the ingredients and simmer for at least 30 minutes. If the mixture seems dry, or needs a little punch of flavor, I add a little bit of your favorite bottled bbq sauce.
    • Adjust seasonings to taste and serve on hamburger buns.

    Notes

    Important Note: if using 1/2 cup serving of sloppy joe mix per bun, this will make 50 Sloppy Joes. 1/2 cup makes an ample serving per bun with a little spillage off the sides of the bun. Like we all expect a sloppy joe to look.
    Using 1/3 cup serving per bun will yield 60 Sloppy Joes with a smaller about of meat per bun.
    If you’d like to Sloppy Joes using slider buns, this should yield about 80 – 100 Sloppy Joe Sliders.
    Hamburger Buns: Not all hamburger buns are created equal. There are some very large buns available for sale. Choose the smaller 3 1/2 inch buns for this recipe to accommodate the number of servings.
    Make Ahead:
    Make these sloppy joes ahead of time and freeze. Use gallon zip lock bags. Just push the air out of the bags, once you put meat in and they’ll lay flat in the freezer for easy storage. Let them thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat when ready.
     
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 393mg | Potassium: 241mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 84IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @lannisam or tag #CookingOnTheRanch!

    Sloppy Joes for a Crowd …It’s What’s For Dinner

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    • Mexican Steak Torta
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    • Old Fashioned Ham Salad Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Larry o says

      February 04, 2023 at 11:31 am

      5 stars
      Very good recipe, I used 2 cups of chopped red and yellow peppers and a half cup of chopped jalapenos too. I didnt use any flour and instead used a couple of cans of Red gold sloppy joe mix and cut back on the water.

      Reply
    2. Amber Voytecek says

      August 27, 2020 at 8:26 am

      what size crock pot would you use for this recipe

      Reply
      • Lea Ann Brown says

        August 30, 2020 at 12:24 pm

        I’m not sure Amber. I would think it would take at least 2 6 quart slow cookers, or 3.

        Reply
    3. Dawn Hoekenga says

      May 17, 2020 at 4:22 pm

      How do you get 10 Sloppy Joes out af a pound of hamburger?

      Reply
      • Lea Ann Brown says

        May 18, 2020 at 6:50 am

        Hi Dawn, and thanks for the note and the question.

        This recipe is a direct recipe from my church cookbook. I didn’t chage a thing from the original recipe.

        There are a lot of additional ingredients added to that pound of hamburger to add volume to the end result. Such as 2 cups each onion and celery.

        Plus, in the instructions, it indicates to purchase small hamburger buns, rather than the large buns available at the store. Those smaller buns will most certainly stretch those sandwiches to go much further.

        Let me know if you have any other questions.

        Reply
      • Morgan says

        July 06, 2022 at 2:47 pm

        Agree!! I fed 7 last night with two mounds and wished I had used three pounds and this was only seven sandwiches!

        Reply
    4. Dawn Hoekenga says

      May 17, 2020 at 4:19 pm

      How do you get 10 sloppy joes out of a pound of hamburger?

      Reply
    5. Susan Makela says

      May 18, 2016 at 4:31 pm

      Just wondered what size bottle do you use for catsup?

      Reply
      • Lea Ann Brown says

        May 27, 2016 at 8:53 am

        I’m so sorry I’m just now seeing this message. I’m not sure of the weight/ounce size. Just the regular small bottle.

        Reply
    6. Susan Makela says

      May 18, 2016 at 4:29 pm

      What size bottle for catsup do you use?

      Reply
    7. Robin says

      October 22, 2009 at 2:25 am

      LeaAnn,
      I made the Sloppy Joes for dinner tonight and they were a hit. (3 servings instead of 60) Thanks so much for the recipe!
      -Robin

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        October 22, 2009 at 11:36 am

        I’m so glad you liked them. You just have to tweak it a little to get the flavor you like.

        Reply
    8. Natashya says

      October 07, 2009 at 11:06 am

      My youngest has been asking me to make sloppy joes. I like the look of this recipe, thanks so much!
      Hmmm, now if he eats 58 – that leaves one left each for hubby and myself..

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        October 07, 2009 at 12:30 pm

        Just remember to tweak the ingredients to your taste.

        Thanks for stopping by.

        Lea Ann

        Reply
    9. Palidor says

      October 06, 2009 at 10:58 pm

      Well, I suppose if you HAD to cook for 60 people, sloppy joes would be a good dish as it seems easy to make in big batches. Looks great! I love the smell of ground beef when it’s cooking. Bet your house smelled wonderful!

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        October 07, 2009 at 1:16 am

        Oh yes it did, with help from the onion and celery. 🙂

        Reply
    10. buffalo dick says

      October 06, 2009 at 3:21 pm

      I collect cook-books, and I have many church and club cook books… I’m actually in a couple of them!

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        October 06, 2009 at 4:28 pm

        Cool! I don’t really collect, but have ended up the unwitting owner of many of these church cookbooks because my mom buys them and always get me one too.

        Reply
      • Emmy Sue says

        August 05, 2022 at 9:14 pm

        Can you make ahead of time, freeze then heat before serving?

        Reply
    11. Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella says

      October 06, 2009 at 10:56 am

      LOL I loved your background to this! I thought they were named that because of the look/texture. Sadly I’ve never tried one in real life so I’m grateful for your recipe! 🙂

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        October 06, 2009 at 4:51 pm

        Thanks for stopping by my blog. You haven’t lived until you’ve had a sloppy joe. Just adjust the flavors to suit yourself.

        Reply
    12. Wandering Coyote says

      October 06, 2009 at 2:37 am

      I first had Sloppy Joes at Girl Guide camp – easy peasy camping food. I brought the idea home to my family but it never caught on for some reason (traditional Brits – ahem!).

      Reply
    13. Donna says

      October 06, 2009 at 2:06 am

      I LOVE church/community cookbooks, such great recipe finds in them! This looks terrific, I just adore sloppy joes!

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        October 06, 2009 at 4:50 pm

        Thanks for stopping by my blog. Yes, those church cookbooks have some really good “finds” and some crazy ones.

        Lea Ann

        Reply
    14. Chris says

      October 05, 2009 at 10:10 pm

      Those people are all liars. I discovered the sloppy joe! 😉

      Yours looks great and it beats the heck out of the Canwich I mean Manwhich ones!

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        October 05, 2009 at 10:24 pm

        LOL – thanks for the post.

        I’ll credit you next time. 😉

        Reply
    15. Bob says

      October 05, 2009 at 7:04 pm

      My mom sends me those kinds of cookbooks whenever her church comes out with them. Good times.

      The sloppy joes look great!

      Reply
    16. Shelly W says

      October 05, 2009 at 5:33 pm

      Love the Sloppy Joe trivia! They look delicious! I’m a big fan of the old church cookbooks, too.

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        October 05, 2009 at 5:59 pm

        After posting this recipe, I’ve decided to do a monthly “Church Lady Recipe” I’ve got a ton of those cookbooks.

        Thanks for stopping by

        Reply
    17. buffalo dick says

      October 05, 2009 at 2:29 pm

      You missed my post- don’t think I knew you yet, on Untidy Josephs! I came at it from how a gourmet would word it… Pretty much close to your recipe, actually!

      Reply
    18. Angie's Recipes says

      October 05, 2009 at 5:42 am

      Looks cool…I gotta try it soon.
      Angie’s Recipes

      Reply
    19. noble pig says

      October 05, 2009 at 4:10 am

      Wow, this would be great for a giant super bowl party!! I need to start getting my invite list together!!

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        October 05, 2009 at 2:13 pm

        Hopefully you’ll be watching the Broncos

        Reply
    20. My Year on the Grill says

      October 05, 2009 at 1:44 am

      Too funny…but there when i need it…Thanks

      Reply

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    I'm Lea Ann, A Culinary School Grad bringing you Wild West Colorado inspired recipes. You'll find lots of Southwestern, and Mexican food recipes, and some favorites from Culinary School along with pro cooking tips. If you're an adventurous home cook looking to spice up your meal plans, you'll find plenty of inspiration and reliable, approachable, easy to follow recipes.

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