These Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sloppy Joes are juicy, tangy, and packed with bold barbecue flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights or laid-back weekends, this quick and hearty recipe turns a few pantry staples into a crowd-pleasing dinner your whole family will love!
Why You’ll Love This Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sloppy Joes Recipe
This recipe is guaranteed to become a household favorite. Here’s why you’ll keep coming back to it:
Ready in 30 minutes
Perfect for all ages (kid-friendly!)
Easy to make and eat
Ideal for lunch, dinner, or casual get-togethers
Made with simple pantry ingredients
Ingredients for Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sloppy Joes
Main Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, diced
1 small green bell pepper, diced
1 cup Dr. Pepper soda
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
6 hamburger buns
Optional Serving Suggestions:
Pickles
Coleslaw
Potato chips
Extra barbecue sauce
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sloppy Joes
Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula. Drain excess fat once the beef is fully cooked.
Add the Vegetables: Add diced onion and green bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for 3–4 minutes until the veggies soften.
Make the Sauce: Pour in Dr. Pepper, barbecue sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together and bring to a simmer.
Simmer the Mixture: Reduce heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.
Assemble the Sloppy Joes: Spoon the hot mixture onto hamburger buns and serve immediately with your favorite sides.
Recipe Yield, Prep Time & Nutritional Information
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories: Approx. 375 kcal per serving
Flavor Variations
Spicy Kick: Add jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce
Vegetarian: Use lentils or a meat substitute
Sweeter: Add extra brown sugar for more sweetness
Smokier: Increase the smoked paprika or use a smoky BBQ sauce
Cheesy: Top with shredded cheddar or pepper jack
How to Store and Reheat Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sloppy Joes
Storing:
Keep leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the beef mixture for up to 3 months.
Reheating:
Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed. You can also reheat in the microwave, but use short intervals to avoid over-drying.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I prepare these ahead?
Yes! Cook, cool, and refrigerate the mixture. Reheat just before serving.
Is Dr. Pepper required?
Dr. Pepper adds unique sweetness, but cola or root beer are great substitutes.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely. Swap the beef with lentils or a plant-based crumble.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, just use gluten-free buns and verify all sauce labels.
What toppings pair well?
Pickles, slaw, cheddar cheese, or crispy fried onions work great.
Can I scale the recipe?
Yes—double or triple the recipe and keep warm in a low oven for serving.
Final Thoughts on These Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sloppy Joes
These Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sloppy Joes are bold, easy, and bursting with flavor. With their perfect balance of sweet and savory, they’re a fun twist on a comfort food classic. Serve them up with your favorite sides, and watch them disappear in no time—this is one recipe you’ll want to keep in your regular dinner rotation!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup Dr. Pepper soda
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 6 hamburger buns
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
- Add diced onion and green bell pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in Dr. Pepper, barbecue sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
- Spoon the mixture onto hamburger buns and serve immediately with your favorite toppings or sides.
Notes
For a spicy version, add jalapeños or hot sauce. Great topped with coleslaw, cheddar, or crispy onions. Use root beer or cola if you don’t have Dr. Pepper.
