Secrets from the Cookie Princess: Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix

Here it is--a homemade seasoning mix that you can keep on hand for last minute dinners. No more store bought mixes--in a package or a can. And the result is a thick and delicious beefy sandwich with a slight kick. We had friends over one night and not sure I'd have enough food, I quickly added sloppy joes to the menu, to great success. Everyone loved them and Dave enjoyed the slight difference in flavor from my regular crock pot version. This seasoning mix stores easily in the cupboard for a quick weeknight meal, and you could make it with beef, turkey or chicken, probably even meatless crumbles. So I put together a jar and sent out for this month's Foodie Pen Pal.

Every month I look forward to Foodie Pen Pals, a concept thought up by Lindsay over at the Lean Green Bean. Go visit her blog to learn how to join--bloggers and non-bloggers are welcome! Each month you'll have a chance to send a box full of goodies to on foodie while receiving a box for yourself. It's a great way to try new things and meet new people. This month I was paired with Ashley from The Broccoli Blog. Ashley is a runner, has an adorable pup, and is new to Foodie Pen Pals. But I still got a fun box from her. Coming home from a very long day, I opened a box containing Sierra Trail Mix Clif bars (perfect for breakfast after my morning workouts), some chili lime hot sauce and a ton of chocolate! Can't beat that (although Dave did steal some of the Reese's cups. And two Cadbury eggs.). Thanks Ashley! Go check out her blog to see what I sent her besides this sloppy joe mix.

This mix comes from one of my mom's classic cookbooks, Make-a-Mix Cookery, a cookbook full of make your own mix recipes and all the things you can make from said mixes. I remember whipping up a huge container of quick mix (like a Bisquick mix) and oatmeal mix for our sugar cookies and oatmeal muffins. But I don't remember if Mom ever made some of the other, more savory mixes. She may have and I just don't remember, but this sloppy joe mix caught my attention, so I wanted to give it a try. This mix is easy to make and the sloppy joes are super quick. You'll want to double (or triple or quadruple) this mix so you can have multiple meals at hand, but it's easy enough to mix up when you need it to. Add some meat, tomato sauce and water, and dinner is ready in 15 minutes. Yum!

Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon minced onions
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon celery seed
1/4 teaspoon chili powder

Measure all ingredients into a bowl or small jar. Mix together. Store in a sealed container for up to 6 months.

Makes 1 serving (3 Tablespoons).

Printer Friendly Recipe

Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef (or turkey or chicken or beans)
8 ounces tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
3 Tablespoons sloppy joe seasoning mix
sandwich buns

In a large skillet, brown beef over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat.