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National Sloppy Joe Day

A food observance on March 18 celebrating the sloppy joe, a classic American comfort food made with seasoned ground beef and tangy sauce served on a bun.

Thursday

March 2027

Last updated February 26, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEMarch 18

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFood

SUBCATEGORYBurgers

ORIGIN

Community Origin

FOUNDING ENTITY

Not documented

FIRST OBSERVED

Not documented

HOW THE HOLIDAY CAME TO BE

The observance is an unofficial food celebration similar to many modern National days without formal origin documentation.

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INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get your napkins ready to celebrate National Sloppy Joe Day on March 18! This American classic has been around since the 1930s, when a cook named Joe in Sioux City, Iowa created the sloppy joe sandwich. Since then, it's become an iconic staple of comfort food and can be found in homes and restaurants all over the world.

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TIMELINE

National Sloppy Joe Day Timeline

Creation of Loose Meat Sandwiches

In the 1920s, loose meat sandwiches, which would later evolve into the Sloppy Joe, were a popular dish in the Midwest United States.

Invention of Sloppy Joe

The Sloppy Joe sandwich, a variation of the loose meat sandwich, was allegedly invented in the 1930s by a cook named Joe at Floyd Angell's café in Sioux City, Iowa.

First Commercial Sloppy Joe Mix

Hunt's, an American brand of preserved tomato products, introduced the first canned Sloppy Joe sauce, named Manwich, simplifying the dish preparation for households.

Sloppy Joe's Popularity in Schools

The Sloppy Joe became a popular dish in school cafeterias across the United States during the 1990s, often served on a hamburger bun.

Sloppy Joe in Home Cooking

During the 2000s, Sloppy Joe was embraced as a nostalgic, comfort food in American home cooking, often with gourmet twists and variations.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Sloppy Joe Day

Throw a Sloppy Joe Party

Invite your family and friends over for a Sloppy Joe party. Serve the traditional sloppy joes or mix it up with unique variations of the classic sandwich.

MAKE

Make it a Sloppy Joe Bar

Set out all the ingredients and let your guests create their own masterpiece. Don't forget to include toppings like cheese, onions, and pickles.

Go to a Sloppy Joe Eating Contest

Check your local restaurants to see if they are hosting a Sloppy Joe eating contest. If not, create your own! Have prizes for the winner and loser.

BAKE

Bake some Sloppy Joe Treats

Make some sloppy joe cupcakes or cookies to share with your family and friends. Try adding some chili powder or paprika for a real kick.

CREATE

Create a Sloppy Joe Recipe

Put your own twist on the classic sloppy joe recipe by experimenting with different ingredients and spices. You never know what delicious creation you might come up with!

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Sloppy Joe Day

Sloppy Joes can be served as a meal or appetizer

Whether you're looking for something to serve as an entrée or appetizers at a party, Sloppy Joes are always sure to please. For an entrée, just serve it up with your favorite sides like French fries or coleslaw. As an appetizer, try making mini Sloppy Joe sliders – they’ll be sure to disappear quickly!

Sloppy Joes are easy to make

Sloppy Joe's are incredibly simple and quick to make. All you need is ground beef, tomato sauce or ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and some seasonings of your choice - onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder…you name it! Plus, it only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish!

Sloppy Joes are tasty

The taste of a Sloppy Joe is hard to beat. The flavors of the savory ground beef, tangy tomato sauce, and sweet Worcestershire sauce blend perfectly together for a delicious sandwich that will surely satisfy any craving. And don't forget the secret ingredient - a generous slathering of melted cheese on top!

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