Out of Ketchup, one case
Ketchup substitute for sloppy joes
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Tomato paste + sugar + vinegar
Same amount as the ketchup
The best ketchup substitutes for sloppy joes are tomato paste + sugar + vinegar (1:1 ratio), barbecue sauce (1:1 ratio), or marinara sauce (1:1 ratio). Each provides the sweet-tangy base that makes sloppy joes delicious.
- Best for —
- sloppy joes
One casethe full ketchup card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of ketchup |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tomato paste + sugar + vinegarsloppy joes | Same amount |
| 2 | Barbecue saucesloppy joes | Same amount |
| 3 | Marinara saucesloppy joes | Same amount |
| 4 | Tomato sauce + brown sugar + vinegarsloppy joes | Same amount |
| 5 | Homemade sloppy joe saucesloppy joes | Same amount |
Tomato paste + sugar + vinegar
sweet and tangy
Homemade ketchup substitute using concentrated tomato paste with added sweetness and acidity. Good for sloppy joes when you want to control the flavor.
- Best for
- sloppy joes, when you want to control sweetness, cooking applications, making large batches
- Texture
- thick sauce
Mix 1 part tomato paste with 1 part water, 1-2 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp vinegar, and salt to taste. Simmer until thickened. This creates the good sweet-tangy base for sloppy joes.
Barbecue sauce
sweet, tangy, and smoky
Sweet and tangy barbecue sauce works excellently as a ketchup substitute in sloppy joes, adding smoky depth to the flavor.
- Best for
- sloppy joes, when you want smoky flavor, grilled meat dishes, barbecue-style sloppy joes
- Texture
- smooth sauce
Use directly as 1:1 substitute. The smoky, sweet-tangy flavor of barbecue sauce enhances sloppy joes beautifully. Choose your preferred heat level.
Marinara sauce
tomato with herbs
Italian marinara sauce provides a good base for sloppy joes with its tomato flavor and herb profile. May need slight sweetness adjustment.
- Best for
- sloppy joes, when you have marinara available, Italian-style sloppy joes, herb-flavored dishes
- Texture
- smooth sauce
Use as 1:1 substitute. You may want to add a touch of sugar or honey to balance the acidity. The herbs in marinara add nice flavor complexity.
Tomato sauce + brown sugar + vinegar
rich and sweet-tangy
Regular tomato sauce enhanced with brown sugar and vinegar to create the good sloppy joe base with rich, sweet flavor.
- Best for
- sloppy joes, when you want rich flavor, cooking applications, comfort food dishes
- Texture
- smooth sauce
Mix tomato sauce with 2-3 tbsp brown sugar and 1-2 tbsp vinegar. Simmer until flavors combine. Brown sugar adds depth that white sugar doesn't provide.
Homemade sloppy joe sauce
custom sweet-tangy
Custom-made sauce specifically for sloppy joes using tomato paste, brown sugar, vinegar, and spices for the good flavor balance.
- Best for
- sloppy joes, when you want good flavor, customizing taste, special occasions
- Texture
- thick sauce
Combine tomato paste, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and spices. Simmer until thickened. This gives you complete control over the flavor profile.
Tips for substituting ketchup
5 tips- Sloppy joes need a sweet-tangy base, so any substitute should include both sweetness and acidity
- Brown sugar works better than white sugar for sloppy joes as it adds depth of flavor
- Let the sauce simmer for at least 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to develop
- Taste and adjust seasoning as you cook - sloppy joes should be slightly sweet
- If using a substitute that's too thin, simmer longer to reduce and thicken
Questions
3 questionsWhat makes a good ketchup substitute for sloppy joes?
A good sloppy joe ketchup substitute needs both sweetness and tanginess. It should be thick enough to coat the meat and provide the signature sweet-tangy flavor that makes sloppy joes delicious.
Can I use barbecue sauce instead of ketchup in sloppy joes?
Yes! Barbecue sauce works excellently in sloppy joes as it provides the sweet-tangy flavor profile. It may add a smoky element that enhances the overall taste.
How do I make sloppy joes without ketchup?
Use tomato paste with sugar and vinegar, or barbecue sauce, or marinara sauce. The key is ensuring you have both sweetness and acidity in your sauce base.