Home Canned Sloppy Joe Starter Sauce ~ Not Just For Sloppy Joes ~ Water Bath or Steam Canning Recipe

A delicious rich sauce perfect for making homemade Sloppy Joes and more. Add ginger and soy sauce to make Pepper Steak, add to pasta with ground beef for Goulash, or use as a braising sauce for beef, chicken or pork. Easy versatile sauce.
Recipe adapted from "The All New Ball Book Of Canning And Preserving"
3 c. finely chopped green bell pepper
3 c. finely chopped red bell pepper
2 c. diced onion
4 t. salt
2 t. black pepper
1 6 oz. can tomato paste
4 c. tomato sauce
1/2 c. cider vinegar
1/2 c. dijon mustard
1/4 c. firmly packed brown sugar
2 t. garlic powder
Up to 1 T. Worcestershire Sauce
Ladle hot sauce into hot jars leaving 1/2" headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe jar rim. Center lid and apply band to fingertip tight.
Process for 20 minutes in boiling water or steam canner, adjusting for altitude as follows:
1,001-3,000 ft ~ increase processing time by 5 minutes
3,001-6,000 ft ~ increase processing time by 10 minutes
6,001-8,000 ft ~ increase processing time by 15 minutes
8,001-10,000 ft ~ increase processing time by 20 minutes
Allow jars to rest undisturbed for 12 hours. Remove bands, check seals, wash and label jars. Store in a cool dark place.
This tutorial is for informational purposes only. It is your responsibility to follow all instructions for your canner and water bath/steam canning. Always adhere to safe canning guidelines.
I use Ball jars, lids and accessories.
Recommended products I use:
As an Amazon affiliate, if you purchase I make a small commission at no additional cost to you.
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All American 915 Pressure Canner: amzn.to/2VtHhku
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Canning Utensil Set: amzn.to/2zbZN8h
Enjoy!
xo~Carol
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[@SuperSaltydog77]

Just made a batch for the second time. Absolutely better than store bought. I used this with my own canned ground beef. This channel deserves 10x the subs, definitely one of the best canning/preserving channels anywhere

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Thank you for the sweet compliment 😊

[@nutmegdog2498]

Here is any easy tip for Tomato Paste. Open both ends of the can, remove the top lid and turn it upside down, and push on the lid . The tomato paste will slide out without having to use anything to scrape the can lids. Super easy and super clean.

[@SandrinaN]

Wow! Love this! Thank you.

[@jadebabydoll23]

what? WHAT? I'm almost forty, why haven't I heard of this before? Thank you

[@BettyJEich]

I’ve done this forever, but now they are making the stackable cans and the bottoms cannot be opened with an can opener. 🙄

[@sharonedwards7821]

Love this sauce ! We use it on lots of meats, delicious over meat loaf, roast .....chicken . I love my Ball canning books . Great resource. 🥰🤗🙏🏻 Stay safe !

[@robins5880]

Sounds yummy, will try it for sure. Just a tip given these trying times, if I don’t have a full canner I fill extra jars with water and can those for emergencies. If I don’t use it within 8-12 months I open them and dump in my canner to heat my jars the next time I can

[@susanmoore7864]

I have canned for many years, I just really enjoy watching you can different things, have tried several things from your channel, my family loves the new recipes.

[@Miss1776-wk4im]

Second time around making this recipe. My hubby said he has never liked sloppy Joes. But, I served it to him with shredded cheese on a bun. He really enjoyed it. ( image that 😂) I have a roaster oven filled with it at the moment. Will leave it cook for several hours then can it up.

[@julielance3588]

that looks amazing. Thank you for all the detail. It helps me really understand canning from what I have been reading in the canning books and hear you reinforce what I read.

[@Jane-ez7yl]

Like and new subscriber I just did pressure canning only 2 months watched previous recipe beans in quarts Better than bushes baked beans!

[@nanrussell6423]

This sauce sounds delicious as well as versatile. I haven't canned in awhile and you just renewed my interest. You are brave to can tomato products with white pants on! I would surely stain mine. Thanks, Carol.

[@countryboycharlie9793]

I just love your videos. Keep it them coming. my daddy made a garden and I then being the oldest I got to help mama pressure canning. I’m 60 and I love it. I have watch your videos enough to no the safety u talk about is very very important GOD BLESS STAY SAFE👍❤️🙏

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Thank you 😊! God bless you 😍🙏🏻🇺🇸

[@villagesteader3552]

We use our home canned chili sauce for our sloppy joe sauce base. Just add a couple (2) tablespoons of tomato paste. We like our sauce thicker! Recipe sounds similar except we use diced tomatoes instead of sauce. Will try this one. Thank you for the video!♥️🤓

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

😍

[@cabinlife6590]

Great video Carol! Thanks for inspiring me to get canning. I have the Ball canning book and have canned several things out of it. This will be next on my list. I like how you think out of the box on how to use what you can :).

[@cabighorse]

I made this sauce and it’s delicious and a family favorite. Looooove it!!

[@kimberlynance2711]

Yum!!! Looks delicious! Think I have everything here to make this. Thank you Carol! 😘

[@Jane-ez7yl]

I will add extra citric acid say when canning stewed tomatoes cause of the non acid added onions and peppers and did know the proportion is important ! Thanks!

[@amybarker2385]

Woohoo! Love the canning videos.

[@ohiofarmgirl3384]

Just made this! It’s a good one!

[@KatyInNH]

I think this would make a great meat loaf starter also!

[@Archie724]

I’ve never steam canned , need to research it ! Great video

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Here’s a video I did talking about steam canning. You will love it. It takes a lot less water and less time. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6XIoapteNGbf80

[@susanmoszeter192]

This looks yummy, I can't wait to make it!!

[@nobracobra]

im making this right now, hoping theres a wee bit left over for din sooo yummy lol

[@toniastudstill595]

Looks yummy!

[@cindyengland2437]

I just found your channel today. And it's a good one thank you

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Cindy England glad you’re here 😍

[@vickiegossett7214]

Thank you

[@marygray9002]

Your food looks and tastes amazing! Love your channel!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Thank you 💕

[@mommyhobbs48]

Yum!

[@elliechapin182]

I made this sauce. It's pretty good. Except my husband says, it taste like it has too much vinegar. Can I cut down on vinegar. I was thinking around 1/3 vinegar and still water bath or can I cut down vinegar and pressure can. 🤔 THANK YOU

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

I would not modify this recipe for safety reasons

[@sunshinemee4226]

Can you sub yellow or orange bell peppers for the green?

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Yes

[@melsplace247]

Question since it has so much bell pepper in the recipe, does it have a strong bell peppers taste?

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Melinda Davis no, but you can safely reduce the amount of peppers 😊

[@susanmoore9972]

I am new to canning, instead of using the cooking spray on the foil lined baking sheet pan. Could you not use the non stick foil that Reynolds makes. Would that also save on the fats used to cook the peppers and onions?

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Yes you could use it

[@tararainey3065]

I use parchment paper

[@susanmoore9972]

@@tararainey3065 thank you

[@amybarker2385]

Just made this and the hamburger buns for dinner. Amazing! Can I do bread with the hamburger bun recipe?

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Amy Barker I’ve never tried but I don’t see why not. Just shape into a loaf instead of buns 😊

[@amybarker2385]

@@carol-thriftychichousewife6231 may try to add nuts and seeds to the outside like Dave's Killer. Everyone is making bread and ingredients are tricky to find.

[@fizer718]

Can I double this batch

[@brendalore3039]

Great video. Can I add ground beef to the recipe. What would the time be for a pressure canner. Thank u

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

This recipe was not tested with the addition of ground beef so I don’t have processing times for that

[@brendalore3039]

@@carol-thriftychichousewife6231 ok. Thanks for the info

[@feliciabrasuell1997]

Thanks for sharing another great video with us..... I have a question. Is it ok to use the can tomato sauce (aluminum can) that comes from the grocery store for this recipe? I am new to this canning thing.....THANKS

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Yes!

[@feliciabrasuell1997]

@@carol-thriftychichousewife6231 thank you

[@judyjohnson1012]

Could you also roast your veggies on parchment paper?

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Yes

[@tomicawilliams1618]

Carol if I wanted to use as spaghetti sauce what can be added safely as far as dried herbs?

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Any dried herbs are fair game ... whatever you like 😁

[@JeannetteShoreland]

Wondering if a pH Indicator test strip or digital pH meter might be a useful steam canning aid?

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

The experts advise against using pH strips and meters. They claim they are not reliable for home canning. They have tested the gauges on the steam canners and they have proven to be reliable 😊

[@brandylozier-cg2di]

Can ground meat not be added?

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Not in this recipe… it would have to be pressure canned

[@elizabethrowe9432]

Can liquid smoke be added safety to this?

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Elizabeth Rowe yes 😊

[@kathygenovy3893]

I really, really want to make this. But I don’t want to water bath and I don’t have a steam canner. Can I pressure can it. And if I can how long would I have to pressure it?

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

I’m sorry but I don’t have any tested times for pressure canning it. This recipe was written specifically for water bath canning

[@tammyeros1119]

Any guidelines for the tomato sauce? Wondering if we have commercial store bought tomato sauce if the ingredients would affect acidity, be unsafe, etc?

[@rachelekelly2872]

The recipe states that you can use commercial tomato sauce without affecting acidity.

[@millboroquiltersouthdakota6037]

Why is half inch head space important? Can it be less? Or more head space?

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Millboro Quilter South Dakota www.healthycanning.com/the-role-of-headspace-in-home-canning/

[@barbarabello4148]

Carol. Can you use canned tomato sauce? Didn’t have a garden or should it be another type of store bought tomato product

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Yes you can use it

[@barbarabello4148]

@@carol-thriftychichousewife6231 thanks. You’re an inspiration.

[@barbarabello4148]

Have you ever doubled this recipe?

[@barbarabello4148]

I processed without debubbling come do I have to redo?

[@barbarabello4148]

They have all sealed

[@thatlittlehomestead]

What about pressure canning chili beans from the USDA Canning guide? I added a little more onion and bell pepper the last time I canned it. 😳

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

It should be fine. This recipe is water bath canned so acidity is important

[@Naturaljerseygirl2014]

why can't you use a metal knife to debubble?

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Metal could chip the jar

[@wandaabrams3781]

did you say to make sure the water is covering the jars

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Wanda Abrams for water bath canning, yes. Water should cover your jars by 1-2”

[@marilynruggeberg]

How long should I Pressure Can this recipe? I prefer to Pressure Can for safety and usually a shorter processing time.

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

To be honest, I’m not sure

[@marilynruggeberg]

@@carol-thriftychichousewife6231 Thank you

[@Thisisit120]

Do you have times if you pressure can?

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

reta strong I’m sorry I don’t. The processing times from Ball were for water bath canning.

[@crystaljeans4995]

Can you steam them instead of putting them in the oven?

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Crystal Jeans yes 😊

[@lizhandy74]

Are the jars pints or quarts? Is waterbath 20 minutes as well?

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Ball only gives instructions for canning in pints for this recipe, 20 minutes 😊

[@lizhandy74]

@@carol-thriftychichousewife6231 great thank you!

[@legauxmc]

Can you put less peppers and onions?

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Yes

[@kathygenovy3893]

Can I pressure can this

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

I’m sure you could but I don’t have tested processing times for pressure canning it

[@CarolinaGirlCreationZ]

I'm curious why you wouldn't just pressure can this versus water bath canning for safety reasons?

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

I was just following the instructions from Ball. They did not include instructions for pressure canning 😊

[@CarolinaGirlCreationZ]

@@carol-thriftychichousewife6231 Ahh, I see! Makes sense. And I guess since it's a tomato based sauce, it's probably pretty high in acidity too. Thank you Carol. :)

[@kathygenovy3893]

Plus the addition of apple cider vinegar

[@nolaarndt4878]

All the ingredients look tasty but I was wondering if I could skip the brown sugar and add an alternative sweetener when I use the sauce? Has anyone else done this? I need to skip sugar in my diet.

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Yes you can skip the brown sugar and use a canning approved sugar substitute

[@tararainey3065]

Splenda brown sugar is great in this

[@Gggls844]

Could this not be pressure canned?

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Gggls844 I’m sure it could be but Ball did not provide processing times to do so 😊

[@MennoniteFarmhouse]

The directions say to cook the peppers and onions with tomato paste for five minutes first before adding the rest of the ingredients. I know this because I made this mistake myself.

[@autumnfraiser5266]

How much ground meat would you add this to?

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

This recipe wasn’t developed for the addition of ground beef…

[@autumnfraiser5266]

@@carol-thriftychichousewife6231 what do you serve it with?

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

@@autumnfraiser5266 I thought you meant to add ground beef before canning it… sorry I misunderstood. One pint jar to about 1 pound of browned ground beef. Sorry, I have a lot going on right now

[@autumnfraiser5266]

@@carol-thriftychichousewife6231 no problem. I 100% understand. Thanks for answering my questions. Have a blessed day. ♥️

[@earnie219]

Ruf ruff....ahahhaha

[@judywhitacre5541]

Can I just use the Sloppy Joe Sauce from the store?

[@talbertreynolds]

Acidity does not matter with pressure canning.

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Talbert Reynolds this recipe is written for water bath or steam canning so acidity does matter here. Times were not provided for pressure canning.

[@kellyeastridge114]

Do I have to put that much vinegar. Hate the stuff

[@carol-thriftychichousewife6231]

Yes, the acid from the vinegar makes this recipe safe for canning