This homemade Sloppy Joes recipe is simple, satisfying, and easy to prepare. It’s an old Dairy Dee recipe originally called the Yello Jersey Barbq on a Bun, passed down from my husband’s family and served for years at their Dairy Dee in Jamestown, Kentucky.
This recipe is special to me — one of the first I asked my mother-in-law for after joining the family more than 34 years ago. It was on the menu last night, so I asked Cathy if I could share it. She agreed and provided the photos and several family stories that give the recipe its context.
The family ran a small Dairy Dee called the Yello Jersey in Jamestown, Kentucky during its heyday in the 1960s and 1970s. The restaurant operated for roughly 15 years and every family member worked there in some capacity. My husband was even brought to the shop as an infant and placed in a playpen while Cathy worked. He later spent time at the counter with his grandmother, Zella Mae Rogers.
Cathy told me a charming detail from the 1960s: if you ordered a sandwich it always came on sliced bread. To signal that this offering was different, they added “on a bun” to the name so customers would know it wasn’t the usual white bread sandwich. I love little pieces of food history like that — they make recipes feel alive.
I asked Cathy a lot about the Barbq sauce — how it was served, what sides came with it, and whether it was more typical on hamburger or hot dog buns. She said hamburger buns were most popular; one regular customer famously ordered six at a time and ate them all himself. The Yello Jersey didn’t offer plate specials — customers ordered from a large handwritten menu at the window — and the shop also served shakes, malts, and cones.
They made the sauce in large batches. Zella Mae would prepare double or triple batches and freeze portions, which made this both economical and freezer-friendly — perfect for feeding a family on a budget.
At home we call it Sloppy Joes and often add a slice of cheese. The kids used to refuse anything with the word “barbeque” on the label, but “sloppy” made it sound like a fun meal — especially for boys. It also works wonderfully as a hot dog sauce.
Whether you call it Sloppy Joes or its original name, Yello Jersey Barbq on a Bun, I encourage you to try this recipe with your family. It’s hearty, budget-friendly, freezer-safe, and likely to become a favorite.
The Best Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe
Vicky Hadley~Little Chef Within
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 18 ounces tomato paste
- 12 ounces water
- 1 cup powdered milk
Instructions
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In a large skillet or frying pan, cook the ground beef and chopped onion over medium-high heat until the meat is fully browned, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain excess fat as needed.
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Add the chili powder, dry mustard, hot sauce, and salt, then stir to combine.
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Stir in the tomato paste and water until blended, then add the powdered milk and stir until smooth.
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Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens.
Notes
Nutrition