Jalapeno Popper Sloppy Joes are the PERFECT combo of spicy and cheesy just like a jalapeno popper, and ready in under 30 minutes!
Jalapeno poppers are a guilty pleasure of mine so it makes total sense that the Ultimate Sloppy Joes would take a familiar turn.
Jalapeno Popper Sloppy Joes
It’s Monday, which means it’s time to add another recipe to our sloppy joe recipe collection! We’re having a blast over here coming up with new ways to make sloppy joes. Today we have a Jalapeno Popper Sloppy Joe that tastes like the dinner version of our favorite appetizer, jalapeno poppers, cooked with ground beef and served on a bun. It’s cheesy, spicy, and gloriously messy. Basically everything you could ever want out of a sloppy joe, and then some. Plus you get all of the flavor of a jalapeno popper, with only a fraction of the work!
What to serve with jalapeno popper sloppy joes
There’s a lot of flavor going on here, so I’d suggest serving these sloppy joes alongside KFC Potato Wedges (Copycat), or Shoestring French Fries. Or make it an appetizer flavors night and go with Beer Battered Onion Rings!
Tips for jalapeno popper sloppy joes
- If you want the jalapenos to be less spicy, make sure you remove the seeds and membrane when you’re chopping them.
- Sauté the onions and jalapeno long enough to let them soften, which will also cut down on some of the spiciness of the pepper.
- Don’t completely cook off the sauce, let some of it stay on the bottom of the pan. That’s what’s going to make this sloppy joe juicy and sloppy.
- If you want to cut down on the spiciness, try using ½ bell pepper instead of jalapenos. This would be a better option if you have kids who don’t like spicy food.

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more things you can add to these sloppy joes
You can add more vegetables to these sloppy joes if you’re trying to make them a little bit healthier. I recommend bell peppers, mushrooms, or finely chopped celery. Just add them when you add the ground beef to saute, and you won’t even know they’re there.
Looking for more jalapeno recipes?
- Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball
- Jalapeno Popper Cornbread Muffins
- Jalapeno Popper Quiche
- Chicken Fire Poppers
I’d love to know how it turns out for you so if you do make the recipe pretty please come back and leave a comment letting me know how you enjoyed them.
We put a ton of effort into recipe testing 40 Sloppy Joes for this weekly series. If you keep loving them as much as we do, we’ll keep them coming every week!
The podcasts will be brought up to date this week. My voice is still all but gone. Keep your fingers crossed for me!


Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 jalapenos chopped
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
- 8 ounces cheddar cut into cubes
- 1 8 oz package cream cheese cut into cubes
- fresh jalapeno slices optional
- 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat cook ground beef, onion, and jalapeno until onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Use a spatula to break up ground beef, stirring frequently.
- Add ketchup, apple cider vinegar, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook another 6-8 minutes, stirring to combine with meat.
- Add ¾ of the cheddar, cream cheese and bacon, stirring for just a second before serving on toasted hamburger buns and top with remaining cheddar cheese.
Notes
Nutrition
Is the cream cheese softened?
not to soft – you’ll need to cut it into cubes.
Hi! Just wondering if I can use a shredded cheese blend in place of the cheddar? Thank you!
Sometimes pre shredded cheeses have an additive that changes the consistency and flavor a bit, so if possible I’d stick to the cheddar.
Followed the recipe except omitted the tomato sauce. Turned out so good. I’m afraid it would have been to soupy had I added the sauce.
My boyfriend loved it!! I never cook but since it’s his birthday I decided to try this recipe out and he asked me to memorize the recipe!! I decided to season the meat with some sazon and use pickled jalapeños for the beginning and it Gave it a kick. Thank you so much!
Woohoo! You’re welcome! Glad it was a hit and you both liked it. 🙂
I made this yesterday and it turned out great. When I make it again I’ll use another 1/2 pound of hamburger to make it more meaty and also use pickled jalapenos instead of fresh to get more bite. Another excellent recipe.
So glad you enjoyed it, Mark!
Made these and they are delicious. The only problem is they were very juicey! It was more like soup. Any d idea why?
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Sounds like your ground beef might have been a bit fattier than mine. If you notice more oil after browning, trying draining it before adding the other ingredients. Hope this helps!
Such a fun twist on sloppy joes. Can’t wait to try it!
Enjoy!!
So cheesy, delicious and full of flavor! Perfect weeknight meal!
Thanks, Jamielyn!
We loved this delicious meaty and spicy twist on sloppy joes!
It’s fun to switch things up!
We made these for football Sunday dinner last night and they were a huge hit!!
Yay!! So glad everyone enjoyed it! Thanks for the 5 stars!
This is my kind of appetizer and perfect to serve on a charcuterie board. Guests go crazy over this recipe! Thanks!
You’re welcome, Sandy!