Manwich: "A sandwich is a sandwich, but a Manwich is a meal!"

The Sloppy Joe — does that ring a bell? It's the American sandwich par excellence: ground beef simmered in a spicy, sweet tomato sauce, served in a soft hamburger bun. A generous, tasty meal you eat with your hands and that gets everywhere — hence the name "sloppy"! And Manwich is the canned sauce that lets you make an authentic Sloppy Joe in 10 minutes. Imported straight from the States by My American Market!

Did you know the Sloppy Joe existed long before Manwich?

The origins of the Sloppy Joe are disputed — a Cuban recipe from the 1930s? A cook named Joe in a Sioux City, Iowa café in 1930? Legend even says Ernest Hemingway loved these sandwiches in Key West, Florida. What's certain is that in 1969, Hunt's (ConAgra) launched Manwich — the first ready-to-use canned sauce for Sloppy Joe. The slogan "A sandwich is a sandwich, but a Manwich is a meal" instantly became iconic across America. Manwich democratized the Sloppy Joe and made it a must-have family dish in millions of American homes.

How to make a Sloppy Joe with Manwich?

It's the simplest American recipe there is — 3 ingredients, 10 minutes, and a complete meal for 4 people!

The classic recipe: Brown 500g of ground beef in a pan. Drain the fat. Pour in the can of Manwich, mix well and let simmer for 5 minutes. Serve in toasted hamburger buns. That's it — guaranteed result!

Variations: Swap the beef for ground turkey for a lighter version. Or use plant proteins (crumbled tofu, lentils) for a vegetarian version — the Manwich sauce is naturally vegan!

Tips for a perfect Sloppy Joe

Lightly toast the hamburger buns before serving — it stops them from going soggy. Add a slice of melted cheddar on the meat just before serving for an ultra-indulgent version. Southern Americans often serve their Sloppy Joe with fries, coleslaw or baked beans. And if you want even more flavor, add a dash of hot sauce and a pinch of smoked paprika to the meat!

Frequently asked questions about Manwich

What does it taste like?

Manwich sauce is a thick tomato sauce, lightly sweet, with spicy notes of bell pepper, onion and garlic. It's sweet-and-savory, rich and very flavorful — completely different from a Bolognese or a ketchup. A 100% American flavor!

Can you use Manwich for anything other than Sloppy Joe?

Yes! Americans use Manwich as a sauce for burritos, nachos, "chili dog"-style hot dogs, or even on pasta. It's a versatile sauce that instantly adds American flavor to any dish!

Where to buy Manwich in Europe?

Manwich is impossible to find in regular European stores. My American Market, your online American grocery store, imports it to you straight from the States. Express delivery!

Into American cooking? Check out Bush's Best, Hidden Valley and Historic Lynchburg in our shop too!

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