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Bombay Sloppy Joes

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Bombay Sloppy Joes are sure to be the best homemade sloppy joe recipe you’ll ever make. Garam Masala and whole cumin seeds kick it up and toasted pistachios and raisins are insane! Like Manwich on crack. Use ground beef, turkey, or plant-based meat crumbles for a tasty vegan option.

Bombay sloppy joes with Serrano peppers on white plate, olives in red bowl

When I first saw a recipe for Bombay Sloppy Joes, I was intrigued because most homemade sloppy joe recipes I’ve tried are a little boring and honestly don’t really improve on plain ol’ Manwich canned mix. But these sloppy joes… these Indian, homemade Sloppy Joes are something really special that adults and kids will love. The original recipe calls for added honey and cream, but I found the end result to be too sweet, so I’ve experimented several times with the original until I decided on the version I’m sharing with you today.

Enough like regular Sloppy Joes to recognize it is a “Joe”, but this homemade, unique recipe adds garam masala, paprika and whole cumin seeds in an incredible sauce featuring a trinity of garlic, fresh ginger and Serrano peppers. This is really something different, especially since Bombay Sloppy Joes finish off with toasted pistachios and plumped up raisins tossed in before serving.

The recipe will give you step-by-step instructions, but I want to share pictures of some of the steps so you can see how incredible these flavors are going to taste:

Three screens of chopped peppers, raisin and pistachios, cooking in pan

The combination of fresh garlic, ginger and a half of a Serrano chili pepper creates a warm base for the sauce, especially with the addition of the garam masala and paprika. And the plumped raisins and toasted pistachios add delicious texture and sweetness that take this recipe to the next level.

Ingredients in Bombay Sloppy Joes-

Garam Masala- With hints of cinnamon, cloves, and peppercorns, Garam Masala is a seasoning that can be used in any type of Sloppy Joe for that classic flavor.

Paprika- Mildly sweet and peppery, paprika enhances the sauce in Sloppy Joe recipes

Garlic and ginger- The perfect combination for any Sloppy Joe recipe.

Raisins- When sautéed, raisins plump up and increase in flavor. A great sweet flavor and nice texture in this recipe.

Pistachios- A nice little bit of crunch that’s perfect and pretty in Bombay Sloppy Joes.

Red sauce in pan with wooden spoon

This. Sauce! After the garlic, ginger, pepper, garam masala and paprika are heated and slightly browned in olive oil, add tomato sauce and water so you can simmer down and thicken everything together (only takes about 15 minutes).

Three screens of peppers and onions cooking with whole Seranno on top

It wouldn’t be a Sloppy Joe recipe without red bell pepper and onions. But for a Bombay Sloppy Joe you need a little whole cumin to spice things up and another Serrano pepper takes a bath in the mix to release a little more flavor, not heat. If you want heat, then chop up the pepper at the end and add it back into the mixture.

As an Indian-inspired dish the original uses ground turkey and I’ve had success with that, but I seem to make it with beef more often for my guys and they love it. Note: I’ve also made Bombay Sloppy Joes with soy crumbles for a vegan option and this was pretty darn good as well.

Just before serving, I toast soft Brioche buns, adding a little olive oil and extra whole cumin seeds to the top (Also delicious with whole wheat buns or Rye toast). Red onions add a fresh crunch and sweetness, not to mention pretty color. My husband prefers his without a bun so he gets it on top of a bed of lettuce and it’s fabulous.

Top view of Bombay sloppy Joe with peppers on a white plate served with olive salad

Bombay Sloppy Joes just might become your new go-to homemade sloppy joe recipe. If you’re hosting an informal party, serve these Joes and you’re sure to be applauded for your originality- be ready to share the recipe. You can make the sauce a day ahead and actually the full recipe is even more flavorful on the day after completion.

Side view of sloppy Joe with ed onions, whole peppers on white plate

Unique but still familiar, enjoy this recipe… and don’t skip the raisins and pistachios. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

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5 from 9 votes

Bombay Sloppy Joes

Since this is an Indian-inspired dish, the original recipe calls for ground turkey (since beef is not eaten). If using turkey, be sure to get turkey thigh meat. Ground beef is excellent in the recipe and you can even use soy ground "meat" crumbles for a delicious vegan option. The sauce can be made a day ahead.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Indian
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 560
Author Sally Humeniuk

Ingredients 

For the Sauce:

  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 Tablespoon minced peeled ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ of one Serrano chile pepper, seeded and minced, include some seeds or all if you want more kick
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 1 - 15 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 cup water

For the Sloppy Joes:

  • 4 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • ¼ cup raisins
  • ¼ cup shelled pistachios
  • 1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds
  • 1 large white onion, finely chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
  • 1 Serrano chile pepper don't chop it unless you want it really spicy!
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
  • 1 pound ground beef, may use turkey or plant-based "meat"
  • Small handful fresh cilantro

Instructions

Make the sauce:

  • Heat 2 Tablespoons olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 Tablespoon ginger, 2 cloves garlic and a Serrano pepper and cook about 1 minute. stirring consistently while ginger and garlic lightly brown. Add 1 teaspoon garam masala and ½ teaspoon paprika and cook 30 seconds. Add 15 ounces tomato sauce and 1 cup water, stir and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Simmer, uncovered 15 minutes.

Prepare the sloppy joes:

  • Heat 2 Tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ¼ cup raisins and ¼ cup pistachios and cook, stirring occasionally, until the raisins swell up and the pistachios toast slightly, about 1 minute. Remove raisins and pistachios to a small plate and set aside for now.
  • Using medium heat again, add the remaining 2 Tablespoons olive oil. Add 1 teaspoons cumin seeds and let sizzle about 10 seconds, then add the finely chopped onion and finely chopped red bell pepper and cook until softened and starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the Serrano pepper and cook 2 more minutes, adding the teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon brown sugar, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Add the meat, breaking up the big lumps, and cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the prepared sauce to the meat and onion mixture in the skillet. Stir and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cook uncovered until the sauce reduces and thickens, about 12-15 minutes.
  • You may serve the Sloppy Joes at this point, but after the sauce has thickened, I like to add about 3 tablespoons of water back in (just a good splash), then put a lid on the Sloppy Joe mixture, leave on low heat with the Serrano pepper still in the mix, and let cook another 10-20 minutes longer. This only enhances and deepens all the flavors.
  • Remove the Serrano pepper. Stir in the raisins and pistachios. Taste for seasoning. Stir in the cilantro right before serving.
  • Toast buns or rye bread and fill with the Sloppy Joe mixture.

Notes

  • I like to use my mini food processor to chop the onion and red bell pepper. Chop to minced size pieces, but don't puree. I mince the garlic and ginger by hand.
  • Our favorite way to serve these Sloppy Joes is on soft, toasted Brioche buns. No condiments are necessary, but you may like some red onion slices for some extra crunch and sweet onion flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Bombay Sloppy Joes
Amount Per Serving
Calories 560 Calories from Fat 396
% Daily Value*
Fat 44g68%
Saturated Fat 12g75%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 25g
Cholesterol 81mg27%
Sodium 1261mg55%
Potassium 888mg25%
Carbohydrates 20g7%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 8g9%
Protein 22g44%
Vitamin A 1567IU31%
Vitamin C 50mg61%
Calcium 58mg6%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Recipe adapted from Aarti Sequeira for Food Network Magazine.Pinterest pin of Bombay Sloppy Joes

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Published on May 11, 2016

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    Recipe Rating




  1. tanira wilks says

    May 21, 2022 at 10:30 AM

    5 stars
    These are on the menu this week!! Not sure what we ate before I started reading your blog. We love all your recipe 🙂

    Reply
  2. megan s says

    May 17, 2022 at 6:06 AM

    5 stars
    I was just trying to figure out what to do with the ground turkey in the fridge, and I decided to look for a recipe on your wonderful site. I quadrupled this recipe, as I have a family of 8, and this was very very tasty. My kids also came back for 2nd! This is definitely a keeper in my book 🙂

    Reply
  3. Jessie says

    November 30, 2021 at 2:42 PM

    5 stars
    This is a perfect way to spice up your sloppy joe

    Reply
  4. Jess says

    November 30, 2021 at 2:26 PM

    5 stars
    Sloppy Joes just got taken up a notch. I can’t go back to the plain boring way again!

    Reply
  5. Toni says

    November 30, 2021 at 1:52 PM

    5 stars
    Packed full of amazing flavors!! So good!

    Reply
  6. Genevieve says

    November 30, 2021 at 1:13 PM

    5 stars
    This is such a unique and fun twist on Sloppy Joes!

    Reply
  7. Lucy says

    November 30, 2021 at 12:29 PM

    5 stars
    These sloppy joes are incredible. The amount of spice is perfect and I love the range of different ingredients and textures included.

    Reply
  8. Tessa says

    July 18, 2019 at 8:33 PM

    These looks so interesting! What a cool flavor combo

    Reply
  9. Tim Rousseau says

    February 18, 2018 at 6:42 PM

    5 stars
    The addition of raisins and pistachios seems weird but is incredible not to mention the different seasonings. We used grass fed beef and will try it with lentils next time for a vegetarian option. Great recipe!

    Reply
  10. Anthony Rousseau says

    February 18, 2018 at 6:39 PM

    5 stars
    What a perfect grownup twist to a sloppy joe, I’d say it really needs its own name. Grass fed beef all the way 👏 👍🏽😁

    Reply
  11. Kevin | Keviniscooking says

    May 16, 2016 at 9:17 AM

    This sounds fantastic Sally. Love the flavors and idea of the toasted whole wheat bun with cumin seeds.

    Reply
    • Sally says

      May 16, 2016 at 8:48 PM

      Thanks Kevin, anytime I can add extra cumin is a bonus. This is a real family favorite.

      Reply
  12. R M Roberts says

    May 11, 2016 at 7:02 PM

    Thank you for including the url for the original recipe. I’m not one for dieting or using reduced or Low anything. I run 3 miles a day and exercise. I do this so I can stay healthy, while eating the foods I enjoy.I’m 70 yrs old and plan to live well into my 80’s or early 90’s. And I want to stay healthy, because I don’t want anyone to “have” to take care of mr. I am posting this comment because every site I go into looking for recipes, I find someone has posted a comment about some ingredient(s) they don’t like because they are unhealthy.The definition of healthy is constantly in flux, because some group or other finds that this isn’t good for you. I do my best to find out who paid for the research. That way I know if it’s a marketing ploy or not. 95% of the time it is. I will stick with what got me here, lot’s of exercise and indulging myself when I want to…….

    Reply
    • Sally says

      May 11, 2016 at 7:24 PM

      Hello Mr. Roberts, I’m so glad to hear you’re doing well in your regimin. If you look at my “About Me” here on Good Dinner Mom, I never talk about dieting or not indulging. I do however promote eating real food. I think you’re referring, in this recipe change, to my omitting the sugar and cream. I omitted these ingredients because I didn’t care for the resulting sweetness that was added in the sloppy joes. I also felt the cream muted the spices a bit too much for my liking. Thanks for stopping by and add cream or don’t! Good for you and a long life ahead. 🙂

      Reply
      • R M Roberts says

        May 11, 2016 at 10:43 PM

        Thanks for the sentiments, didn’t mean to include you in those who run after every food and diet craze that comes along. My point is cooking and eating good food along with exercise is healthy. Thanks again

        Reply
About Sally - Good Dinner Mom.

About Good Dinner Mom

My name is Sally and I love to be in the kitchen. Making fresh, unique dishes is my way of showing love for family and friends and I hope that here you’ll find recipes of both healthy and indulgent dishes that will inspire you to cook more at home while sharing some love of your own. more about me

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