Name: Chicken Gumbo Sloppy Joes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs ground beef (680g, 80/20 blend recommended); 1 medium yellow onion (about 1 cup or 150g, finely diced); 1 can (10.5 oz) Campbell's condensed chicken gumbo soup (298g, do NOT add water); 1/2 cup ketchup (120ml); 1 tablespoon yellow mustard; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 1 teaspoon white vinegar; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste); 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 6 hamburger buns; butter (optional, for toasting buns)

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My mom made Chicken Gumbo Sloppy Joes Recipe every single Friday night growing up, and I can still picture the steam rising from the skillet while she stirred that rich, tangy sauce together. I used to stand on a step stool next to her, sneaking spoonfuls before the sandwiches even made it to the buns.

It took me embarrassingly long to realize that the secret ingredient was a can of Campbell’s condensed chicken gumbo soup. That humble little can is what makes these sloppy joes taste so different from anything you’d get out of a Manwich packet.

These are not your average cafeteria sloppy joes. The gumbo soup adds tiny bits of chicken, rice, okra, and peppers to the sauce, giving it this incredible depth of flavor that you just can’t fake.

The first time I made them on my own as an adult, I actually called my mom to tell her how good they were. I’ve tweaked the recipe over the years, adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce and a touch of tomato paste for extra richness, and that’s the version I’m sharing today.

Quick Recipe Summary
Prep Time	10 minutes
Cook Time	25 minutes
Total Time	35 minutes
Servings	6 sandwiches
Difficulty Level	Easy

If you love big, saucy sandwiches, you’ll also want to check out my Healthy Sloppy Joe Recipe for a lighter take on the classic.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Gumbo Sloppy Joes Recipe

These sloppy joes are pure comfort food with zero fuss. One skillet, a handful of pantry staples, and about 35 minutes stand between you and a dinner your whole family will be fighting over.

Ready in 35 minutes. From browning the beef to piling it on the bun, this recipe moves fast. It’s the perfect answer for busy weeknight dinners when you need something satisfying on the table quickly.
Budget-friendly. Ground beef and a can of Campbell’s chicken gumbo soup are both incredibly affordable. You can feed a family of six for just a few dollars, which is hard to beat.
Incredible depth of flavor. The condensed gumbo soup adds tiny pieces of chicken, rice, okra, and peppers right into the sauce. You get layers of savory, sweet, and tangy all in one bite.
Crowd-pleasing and nostalgic. If you grew up in the Midwest or the South, these sloppy joes will hit you right in the nostalgia. Even people who have never had them before instantly fall in love.
Easy to scale up. Double or triple the recipe with no extra effort. It’s the ideal dish for potlucks, game day spreads, or feeding a big group without breaking a sweat.
Freezer-friendly. The filling freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Make a double batch on the weekend and you’ll have fast weeknight dinners stocked for months.
Kid-approved. The sweet and tangy sauce is mild enough for little ones but satisfying enough for adults. It’s genuinely one of those rare recipes where the whole table is happy.

For another nostalgic sandwich the whole family will love, try my BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches.

Ingredients

Everything in this recipe is simple and easy to find. The star of the show is the can of Campbell’s condensed chicken gumbo soup, so don’t swap it out for anything else. It’s what gives these sloppy joes their signature flavor and that slight Southern character.

1.5 lbs (680g) lean ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup / 150g)
1 can (10.5 oz / 298g) Campbell’s condensed chicken gumbo soup (do NOT add water)
1/2 cup (120ml) ketchup
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
6 hamburger buns, for serving
Optional: butter for toasting buns

For the best results, use freshly diced onion rather than frozen. The onion cooks down into the sauce and adds a natural sweetness that balances the tang of the ketchup and mustard beautifully.

Read Also: Sloppy Joe Recipe

Kitchen Equipment Needed

You really only need one pan for this recipe, which means less cleanup and more time to enjoy your meal. A wide, heavy-bottomed skillet works best because it gives the beef plenty of surface area to brown properly.

Large nonstick skillet or cast iron skillet (12-inch / 30cm)
Wooden spoon or silicone spatula for breaking up the meat
Sharp chef’s knife for dicing the onion
Cutting board
Measuring cups and spoons
Can opener
Colander or paper towels for draining excess fat
Large serving spoon for scooping the filling onto buns

Another great option is a Dutch oven if you plan to make a large batch and keep it warm for a party or potluck.

You might also enjoy: Chicken and Sausage Gumbo Recipe

Recommended Products for This Recipe

These are a few products I personally reach for every time I make this recipe, and they genuinely make a difference in the final result.

1. Campbell’s Condensed Chicken Gumbo Soup

This is the non-negotiable ingredient that makes these sloppy joes taste the way they’re supposed to. The flavor, the rice, the little bits of okra and pepper in the soup create a sauce you simply cannot replicate any other way. Stock up when you see it because it can sometimes be hard to find.

Get it on Amazon

2. Lodge Cast Iron Skillet

A cast iron skillet gives the beef a phenomenal sear and holds heat evenly while the sauce simmers. I switched to cast iron a few years ago and never looked back. The crust you get on the browned beef adds so much flavor to the finished dish.

Get it on Amazon

3. OXO Good Grips Meat Chopper

This little tool is incredible for breaking up ground beef into tiny, even crumbles while it cooks. It saves so much time compared to a wooden spoon, and the fine crumble texture is exactly what you want for sloppy joes so the filling stays on the bun.

Get it on Amazon

4. Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce

Not all Worcestershire sauces are created equal. Lea & Perrins is the gold standard and adds a savory, umami depth that cheaper brands just don’t deliver. A tablespoon goes into this recipe and it makes a noticeable difference.

Get it on Amazon

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Chicken Gumbo Sloppy Joes

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients

Finely dice the yellow onion into small, even pieces about 1/4-inch (6mm) in size so they cook quickly and melt into the sauce.
Open the can of Campbell’s condensed chicken gumbo soup and set it aside. Do not add any water to it.
Measure out your ketchup (1/2 cup / 120ml), mustard (1 tablespoon), Worcestershire sauce (1 tablespoon), tomato paste (1 tablespoon), brown sugar (1 tablespoon), white vinegar (1 teaspoon), garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon), salt (1/2 teaspoon), and black pepper (1/4 teaspoon). Having everything measured and ready before you start cooking makes the whole process much smoother.
If you plan to toast your buns, set out your butter and a separate pan or the oven broiler so it’s ready to go when the filling is done.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef and Onion

Heat your large skillet over medium-high heat. You want the pan to be hot before adding the beef so it sears rather than steams.
Add the 1.5 lbs (680g) of ground beef and the diced onion to the hot skillet at the same time.
Break the beef apart immediately using your meat chopper or wooden spoon, pressing it into smaller and smaller crumbles as it cooks.
Continue cooking and stirring for about 8 to 10 minutes, until the beef is fully browned with no pink remaining and the onion has softened and turned translucent.
If there is a significant amount of fat pooled in the pan, carefully drain it off using a colander or tilt the pan and blot with paper towels. A little fat is fine and adds flavor, but too much will make the sauce greasy.

Step 3: Add the Sauce Ingredients

Reduce the heat to medium.
Add the tomato paste directly to the browned beef and onion mixture. Stir it in and let it cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly. This quick cook step removes the raw taste from the tomato paste and deepens the flavor.
Add the condensed chicken gumbo soup (the entire can, undiluted), ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, white vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper all at once.
Stir everything together thoroughly until the sauce is fully incorporated and there are no streaks of ketchup or mustard remaining.
You’ll notice the chicken gumbo soup adds tiny pieces of chicken, rice, okra, and peppers to the mix. This is completely normal and is exactly what makes this recipe so special.

Step 4: Simmer the Filling

Reduce the heat to medium-low once the mixture begins to bubble gently.
Let the filling simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking on the bottom.
As it simmers, the sauce will thicken and concentrate in flavor. You’re looking for a consistency that’s saucy but not watery. It should hold its shape when scooped onto a bun without immediately running off.
If the mixture gets too thick, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water and stir to loosen it up.
If the mixture seems too thin after 20 minutes, continue simmering with the heat slightly raised until it reaches the right consistency.
Taste the filling and adjust seasoning as needed. Add a bit more brown sugar if you want it sweeter, more mustard for tang, or more salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5: Toast the Buns (Optional but Recommended)

While the filling finishes simmering, split your hamburger buns and spread a thin layer of butter on the cut sides.
Place them butter-side down in a separate dry skillet over medium heat or arrange them on a baking sheet under the oven broiler.
Toast for 1 to 2 minutes until golden and slightly crispy. Toasted buns hold up much better against the saucy filling without getting soggy.

Step 6: Assemble and Serve

Place the bottom half of each toasted bun on a plate.
Use a large spoon to heap a generous portion of the sloppy joe filling onto each bottom bun. Don’t be stingy; these are supposed to be sloppy!
Place the top bun over the filling and serve immediately.
Have plenty of napkins on hand. This is not a first-date dinner, and that’s exactly why everyone loves it.

For another easy and comforting sandwich night, try: BBQ Chicken Wrap Recipe

Tips for The Best Chicken Gumbo Sloppy Joes

A few small tricks make a big difference with this recipe. I’ve made this dozens of times and learned most of these the hard way.

Use 80/20 ground beef. The fat content in an 80/20 blend keeps the meat moist and flavorful as it cooks. Leaner beef tends to result in a drier, less satisfying filling.
Do not add water to the soup. The condensed soup goes in undiluted. Adding water thins the sauce out too much and you lose all that concentrated gumbo flavor.
Cook the tomato paste first. Spending one minute stirring the tomato paste into the beef before adding the other ingredients removes its raw, slightly acidic taste and adds a deeper, richer flavor to the sauce.
Simmer low and slow. Don’t rush the simmering step. A low, patient simmer allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken to the perfect consistency.
Taste and adjust before serving. Every can of gumbo soup is slightly different, and ketchup brands vary in sweetness. Always taste the filling before serving and tweak the seasoning to your preference.
Toast your buns. A lightly buttered, toasted bun stands up to the saucy filling without disintegrating. It also adds a slightly crispy contrast that makes every bite better.
Don’t over-drain the fat. A small amount of fat left in the pan after browning the beef adds richness to the sauce. Just remove the excess.
Make it ahead. The filling actually tastes better the next day once the flavors have had time to sit and deepen. Make it the night before and just reheat when ready to serve.

Read Also: Shrimp and Chicken Gumbo Recipe

What to Serve with Chicken Gumbo Sloppy Joes

Sloppy joes are a casual, no-fuss meal that pairs well with equally easy and satisfying sides. You want something that can stand up to the bold, saucy flavor of the filling without competing with it.

Think classic American comfort food sides and you’ll be right on track. Crispy, cold, and creamy sides work especially well because they contrast beautifully with the warm, rich sandwich.

Coleslaw – A tangy, creamy coleslaw cuts through the richness of the sloppy joe filling and adds a cool crunch to every bite.
Potato Salad – Classic American potato salad is a natural pairing and can be made ahead of time, which is perfect for parties.
Broccoli Salad – The sweet and savory notes in broccoli salad complement the gumbo flavors perfectly.
Roasted Potatoes – Crispy oven-roasted potatoes make an excellent hearty side when you want something warm alongside the sandwich.
Healthy Coleslaw – A lighter take on coleslaw using Greek yogurt instead of mayo if you’re watching calories.
Mexican Street Corn – Sweet, charred corn with a tangy topping is a fun, colorful side that kids and adults both love.
Onion Rings – Crispy, golden onion rings are a classic diner-style pairing for sloppy joes.
Deviled Eggs – Creamy deviled eggs are a great appetizer or side when you’re serving these at a party or potluck.
Green Bean Casserole – This comforting, creamy casserole is a hearty side dish that makes the whole meal feel like a proper home-cooked spread.
Potato chips – Sometimes the simplest answer is the best. A bag of kettle chips alongside a messy sloppy joe is pure perfection.

Read Also: Hamburger Gravy Recipe

Variations of Chicken Gumbo Sloppy Joes

This recipe is incredibly flexible and has been adapted in kitchens across America for decades. Here are some of the most popular ways to change it up without losing what makes it special.

Ground turkey version. Substitute ground turkey for the ground beef for a leaner version. Use a 93/7 blend and add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan first since turkey is much leaner and can dry out.
Slow cooker version. Brown the beef and onion in a skillet first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker with all the sauce ingredients. Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or high for 2 to 3 hours. Perfect for feeding a crowd or taking to a potluck.
Extra spicy version. Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the sauce for a kick of heat. A diced jalapeño cooked with the onion also works beautifully.
Bell pepper addition. Finely dice half a green or red bell pepper and cook it alongside the onion. It adds a subtle sweetness and extra texture to the filling.
Cheesy sloppy joes. After the filling is done, stir in 1/2 cup (55g) of shredded sharp cheddar cheese and let it melt in. Top each sandwich with another sprinkle of cheese for an extra indulgent version.
Served over rice. Skip the buns and spoon the sloppy joe filling over cooked white or brown rice for a gluten-free option. It tastes like a sloppy joe bowl and is surprisingly satisfying.
Lettuce wrap version. Use large butter lettuce leaves in place of buns for a low-carb, lighter serving option.
Add Cajun seasoning. Stir in 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning to give the filling a more pronounced Southern bayou flavor that leans into the gumbo theme.

Another favorite: Brunswick Stew Recipe

Storage and Reheating

One of the best things about this recipe is how well it stores. The filling actually improves overnight as the flavors deepen and meld together, making it a great make-ahead dish.

Refrigerator: Store the cooled filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the buns separate and toast fresh when serving.
Freezer: Transfer the completely cooled filling to a freezer-safe zip-lock bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Lay the bag flat so it freezes evenly and thaws quickly.
Thawing: Move the frozen filling from the freezer to the refrigerator the night before you plan to serve it. Let it thaw overnight for best results.
Stovetop reheating: Pour the filling into a skillet over medium-low heat and warm for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much in storage.
Microwave reheating: Place the desired amount in a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely with a paper towel, and heat in 60-second intervals, stirring between each, until hot throughout.
Do not refreeze: Once thawed, do not freeze the filling again. Use it within 3 to 4 days of thawing.

You might also enjoy: Cowboy Stew Recipe

Nutritional Facts

The following nutrition information is an estimate per serving (1 loaded sandwich with bun) based on the standard recipe as written. Actual values may vary depending on the specific brands used.

Nutrient	Per Serving
Calories	~420 kcal
Total Fat	16g
Saturated Fat	6g
Cholesterol	75mg
Sodium	890mg
Total Carbohydrates	40g
Dietary Fiber	2g
Total Sugars	14g
Protein	27g

Nutrition values are calculated using an 80/20 ground beef blend and a standard hamburger bun. Swapping to 93/7 ground turkey can reduce the calories to approximately 360 kcal per serving.

Read Also: Chicken Stew Recipe

Health Benefits of Key Ingredients

While sloppy joes are definitely comfort food, several of the key ingredients bring real nutritional value to the table. It’s not health food, but it’s far from empty calories either.

The combination of protein-rich beef, onion’s natural prebiotics, and the vegetable-forward gumbo soup makes this a more balanced meal than it might initially appear.

Ground beef (80/20) is an excellent source of complete protein, providing all essential amino acids. It’s also rich in zinc, iron, and B vitamins including B12, which supports energy metabolism and neurological function.
Yellow onion is packed with quercetin, a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. Onions also contain prebiotic fiber that feeds healthy gut bacteria.
Campbell’s chicken gumbo soup contributes small amounts of chicken protein along with okra, which is a good source of vitamin C, folate, and soluble fiber that supports digestive health.
Ketchup contains lycopene, an antioxidant found in cooked tomatoes that has been associated with heart health and reduced oxidative stress.
Yellow mustard is remarkably low in calories (about 3 calories per teaspoon) while adding significant flavor. Mustard seeds contain antioxidants and compounds that may support digestion.
Worcestershire sauce provides umami depth and contains trace amounts of vitamins and minerals including B vitamins from fermented anchovies and molasses in its base.
Garlic powder contains allicin precursors that have well-documented antimicrobial and immune-supporting properties, even in powdered form.

Another favorite: Chicken Soup Recipe

FAQs About Chicken Gumbo Sloppy Joes

1. What is chicken gumbo soup and where can I find it?

Campbell’s condensed chicken gumbo soup is a classic canned soup made with diced chicken, white rice, okra, bell peppers, celery, and a seasoned chicken broth base. It can be found in most major grocery stores in the soup aisle, usually near the other Campbell’s condensed soups. If your local store doesn’t carry it, it’s also widely available online.

2. Can I use a different soup if I can’t find chicken gumbo soup?

The chicken gumbo soup is really the defining ingredient of this recipe. Most home cooks who have made this dish for decades agree that there’s no perfect substitute. If you absolutely cannot find it, a condensed chicken with rice soup can work in a pinch, but the flavor and texture will be noticeably different.

3. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, and it actually tastes better the next day. Make the filling up to 2 days in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. Reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave when ready to serve, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce.

4. How do I keep the sloppy joe filling warm at a party?

After making the filling on the stovetop, transfer it to a slow cooker set to the warm or low setting. It will stay perfectly warm for several hours without drying out. Give it a stir every hour or so and add a splash of water if it starts to thicken too much.

5. Can I make this without browning the meat first?

Technically you could combine everything in a slow cooker without browning first, but I strongly recommend browning the beef. Browning creates deep, savory flavor through the Maillard reaction that you simply don’t get from cooking ground beef in liquid. It’s worth the extra 10 minutes.

Read Also: Crack Burger Recipe

Final Thoughts

Chicken Gumbo Sloppy Joes are one of those recipes that prove simple food can be deeply satisfying. It’s messy, it’s nostalgic, and it brings people together around the table in the best possible way.

Give this recipe a try on your next busy weeknight, and I promise it’s going to become a regular in your dinner rotation. If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comments below!

Drop me a note letting me know if you tried any fun variations, or tag me on social media so I can see your sloppy masterpiece.

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