This recipe for homemade sloppy joes has the perfect blend of ground venison, aromatic spices and a touch of sweet for a wild take on the traditional sloppy joe recipe.

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This Venison Sloppy Joes recipe is a wild game meat take on the classic American weeknight meal made with ground beef. Simmered in a , slightly sweet and spiced homemade sloppy joe sauce, this easy dinner is a great recipe to make on busy weeknights.

Venison Sloppy Joes served on an onion hamburger bun topped with homemade coleslaw.

❤️ Why You'll Love Venison Sloppy Joes

Wild game recipes: this is the perfect recipe for ground venison and sloppy joe fans alike!

Homemade sloppy joe sauce: the flavor of this sloppy joe sauce is deep and it is far better for you than opening a an of manwich!

Nutritious meal: ground venison is naturally lean, making this a low fat and low calorie option for those on a low calorie diet.

🥘 Ingredients

White onion

Red bell pepper: feel free to use a green bell pepper if preferred

Fresh garlic cloves

Olive oil

Ground venison

Chili powder

Cumin seed - crushed

Cinnamon

Salt

Black pepper

Tomato sauce

Worcestershire sauce

Brown sugar

Ketchup

Hamburger buns

Breaking ground meat down with a meat masher. — Using a meat masher helps break the ground meat down into perfect crumbles.

🔪 How to Make Venison Sloppy Joes

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, saute onions, peppers and garlic in olive oil for 2 minutes, until softened. Add ground venison and cook chopping with a meat chopper to break the meat up, for 7 minutes, til ground meat is no longer pink.
Add crushed cumin seed, chili powder, cinnamon and salt to the venison and stir to combine. Reduce to medium heat and cook for 2 minutes to blend spices.
Stir tomato sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, and water into the meat mixture. Cook, stirring, over low heat for 5 minutes, until venison mixture thickens.

🥄 Equipment

Large skillet: use a large deep skillet or a large pot if needed.

Meat masher

Cutting board

Sharp knife

🥫Storage

Refrigerate: store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Reheat: in a skillet or microwave and serve over fresh buns, rice, or even on nachos.

📖 Variations

Sweet and Smoky Sloppy Does: use smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for a sweet and spicy twist.

Ground meat swap out: swap ground turkey, chicken, or beef for the ground venison.

Zingy Sloppy Joes: add a tablespoon of ground yellow mustard to the sauce.

💭 Tips

Thicker sauce: if the sauce is too thin for you, add a tablespoon or two of tomato paste to help thicken it up some.

Want to skip the ketchup? Try this Sloppy Joe Recipe without Ketchup.

Low carb and made with ground veal, these Sloppy Joe Stuffed Biscuits are a new family favorite!

This Butternut Steak Rice Bowl is a healthy recipe that is packed with flavor.

This recipe for Venison in Mushroom Gravy served over egg noodles is delicious wild game comfort food!

Try this easy oven baked recipe for homemade Venison Meatballs!

🍽 Serve with..

Serve place sloppy joes on a hamburger bun topped with homemade coleslaw or pickled red onion and any of your favorite sides.

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When you make this homemade venison sloppy joe recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!

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