Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sloppy Joes

Looking for a fun twist on a classic comfort food? Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sloppy Joes bring together ground beef, tangy barbecue sauce, and the sweet, bold flavor of Dr. Pepper in every bite.

This recipe adds a rich, savory taste that turns regular sloppy joes into a meal both kids and adults will want to make again.

With a fast prep time and easy steps, these Dr. Pepper Sloppy Joes are perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. The unique combination of cola and barbecue sauce creates a sauce that’s thick, flavorful, and just the right blend of sweet and savory.

Whether you’re new to making homemade pepper barbecue sloppy joe recipes or just want a fresh idea for family dinners, this dish is a crowd-pleaser. You can make these delicious sandwiches with simple ingredients at home by following a straightforward Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sloppy Joes recipe.

Why You Will Love Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sloppy Joes

These Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sloppy Joes combine sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors in every bite. Dr. Pepper gives the sauce a unique sweetness and depth.

Kids and adults both enjoy the familiar taste of barbecue, and the touch of Dr. Pepper makes it just a little different from a classic comfort food.

This dish comes together quickly in just one pan. The steps are easy for cooks at any level.

Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sloppy Joes are a hit at casual gatherings. The filling stays warm and tasty, making it easy to feed a group—just spoon onto buns and serve.

You can change up the toppings or bun to suit any taste or dietary need. Try adding pickles or cheese, or use whole wheat buns for more fiber.

How To Make Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sloppy Joes

Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sloppy Joes use everyday ingredients for big flavor. This dish combines ground beef, barbecue sauce, and Dr. Pepper soda for a sweet, tangy, and savory sandwich filling.

Ingredients

Start with lean ground beef for a hearty texture. Sautéed onions and green bell pepper add sweetness and crunch.

Minced garlic or granulated garlic boosts the flavor. For the sauce, use barbecue sauce, Dr. Pepper soda, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce.

A bit of apple cider vinegar and brown sugar bring balance. Season with kosher salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika for a smoky, slightly spicy kick.

Add extras like diced jalapeños for heat, red pepper flakes for spice, or hot sauce for a bolder flavor. Use unsalted butter for sautéing, and tomato sauce if you need to thicken the mixture.

Instruments

Use a large skillet or sauté pan to brown the ground beef and cook the vegetables. A wooden spoon or spatula helps break the beef into small pieces.

A sharp knife and sturdy cutting board are important for dicing onions, garlic, and bell peppers. Measuring cups and spoons help add the right amounts of liquids.

A can opener may be needed for tomato sauce. For serving, tongs or a large spoon are handy for scooping the filling onto buns.

Step By Step Instruction

Melt unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced yellow onion, diced green bell pepper, and minced garlic.

Cook until the onions turn soft and translucent. Add the lean ground beef and break it apart with a spatula as it cooks.

Sprinkle in salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. When the beef is browned, drain any extra fat from the skillet.

Stir in Dr. Pepper soda, barbecue sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Mix well.

Add brown sugar and any optional heat like jalapeños or red pepper flakes. Let the mixture simmer until the sauce thickens, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Stir often for even cooking. If the filling is too thin, add a little tomato sauce.

Spoon the filling onto toasted buns and serve right away for the best taste and texture.

Tips & Tricks

Let the sloppy joe mixture simmer for about 5 minutes after adding the sauce. This brings out the sweet and tangy notes from the Dr. Pepper.

This recipe works well for busy nights. Prep time is usually 10 minutes, with a cook time around 15 minutes.

Use a wide, heavy skillet for even browning. Breaking up the meat with a spatula as it cooks gives a better texture.

Lightly toast the buns before filling them. This keeps the buns from turning soggy and adds a bit of crunch.

Store the sloppy joe mixture in the fridge for up to four days. It reheats well on the stove or in the microwave.

For longer storage, freeze the mixture in an airtight container for up to two months. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for more heat.

Toppings like sliced pickles, shredded cheese, or coleslaw add a fresh twist. For a leaner dish, try swapping in ground turkey or chicken.

This meal is flexible and fits many different tastes and styles.

Ingredient Substitute

You can easily swap out ingredients to fit what you have or meet dietary needs.

Original Ingredient	Substitute Option
Ground beef	Ground turkey, lentils, crumbled tofu
Yellow onion	Red onion, shallots
Green bell pepper	Red bell pepper, carrots
Maraschino cherries	Dried cherries, cranberries
Maraschino cherry juice	Pomegranate juice, orange juice
Beef broth	Chicken broth, vegetable broth
Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce	Mix regular BBQ sauce with cola
Brioche buns	Potato buns, whole wheat buns

Ground turkey gives a leaner, lighter taste while still holding up to the rich sauce. Lentils or crumbled tofu provide a hearty, balanced base for a vegetarian version.

If maraschino cherries are not available, dried cherries or cranberries can give a similar sweet touch. Try pomegranate juice in place of cherry juice for a tart flavor.

Red bell pepper works if green bells are missing and brings extra sweetness. Swap out beef broth for vegetable or chicken broth to make the dish lighter or vegetarian.

If you can’t find Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce, mix cola with regular BBQ sauce. Potato or whole wheat buns also make a good base for the saucy mixture.

Get creative and make the recipe fit everyone’s needs.

What To Serve With Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sloppy Joes

The rich, sweet, and smoky flavors of Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sloppy Joes pair well with the right sides. Use soft sandwich buns or lightly toasted buns to soak up the flavorful sauce.

A cool, crunchy coleslaw offers a nice contrast to the meaty filling. Serve it on the side or pile it into the sandwich.

Classic sides like sweet potato fries, tater tots, and potato chips add salt and crunch. These options balance the bold taste of the Joes.

A simple green salad makes a light and refreshing choice. Pair greens with a mild vinaigrette to keep the meal from feeling too heavy.

Pickles add a tart bite that cuts through the richness. Dill pickles or bread and butter slices work well next to or inside the sandwich.

For a bit of indulgence, sprinkle fried onions into the sandwich or serve them on the side for crispy texture and onion flavor.

Hamburger buns or soft sandwich rolls give you a sturdy but tender base for Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sloppy Joes.

How To Store Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sloppy Joes

Let the sloppy joe mixture cool to room temperature before storing. This prevents extra condensation that can make the dish watery.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The mixture stays fresh for 3 to 4 days.

For longer storage, use a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty zip-top bag. You can freeze the meat mixture for up to 3 months.

Label each container with the date before placing it in the fridge or freezer. When ready to eat, reheat the mixture in a saucepan or microwave until steaming hot.

Stir occasionally so the mixture heats evenly. Always reheat leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.

Nutrition Fact In List Form

Each Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sloppy Joe serving offers nutrition you can track at a glance. Below is an easy-to-read list of key nutrition facts, based on typical homemade versions.

Per Serving (about 1 sandwich):

• Calories: ~281
• Total Fat: 8.5g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Cholesterol: 105mg
• Sodium: 735mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 11g
• Sugars: 6g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 37g
• Vitamin C: 12mg
• Iron: 5mg
• Calcium: 42mg

These values use lean ground beef, Dr. Pepper, tomato paste, onion, and seasonings. Values may change if you use different meats or extra sauce.

Here is a simple table for quick reference:

Nutrient	Amount per Serving
Calories	281 kcal
Total Fat	8.5g
Carbohydrates	11g
Protein	37g
Sugars	6g
Sodium	735mg

You can check out more nutrition facts and recipe information in the full nutrition table. Adjust portions and ingredients for your dietary needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dr Pepper Barbecue Sloppy Joes have a sweet, tangy, smoky flavor made special by the soda’s taste. This section explains how to add Dr Pepper to your recipe, lists essential ingredients, shows how cola changes the sauce, and answers questions about versions like the Sheetz sauce.

How can I adapt a classic sloppy joe recipe to include Dr Pepper?

Add Dr Pepper by swapping part of the liquid or sauce, such as some ketchup or water, for Dr Pepper soda. Simmer 1 cup of Dr Pepper with browned ground beef, onion, and peppers to add a unique flavor and sweetness.

Simmer the mixture so the soda reduces. This step blends the Dr Pepper with barbecue sauce or ketchup, making a rich sandwich filling.

What ingredients are essential for making Dr Pepper barbecue sloppy joes?

Use ground beef or turkey as the protein base. Add diced onions, green bell pepper, Dr Pepper soda (about 1 cup), barbecue sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and spices like garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.

Serve the filling on buns. You can find more precise ingredient lists from recipe guides.

How does adding cola like Dr Pepper enhance the flavor of barbecue sauce?

Dr Pepper adds a sweet, caramel-like taste to barbecue sauce. The soda’s spices and flavors match the smoky and tangy notes of barbecue sauce.

When you simmer Dr Pepper with other ingredients, its sugars help thicken the sauce. This creates a sticky glaze that makes each bite flavorful and sweet.

Is it possible to create a homemade BBQ sauce similar to Sheetz Dr Pepper barbecue sauce?

You can make a homemade sauce like Sheetz Dr Pepper barbecue sauce. Start with Dr Pepper as the main sweetener and flavor base.

Mix Dr Pepper with ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and spices like black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Simmer the mixture until it thickens to match the sticky, balanced sauce served at Sheetz.

What are the primary differences in flavor and texture between BBQ sauce and sloppy joe sauce?

Barbecue sauce is thicker with a bold, smoky, sweet flavor and sometimes a spicy kick. It often sticks to foods like ribs or chicken.

Sloppy joe sauce is looser and saucier. It coats ground beef with tomato, sweetness, and tang. Adding Dr Pepper blurs the line, but sloppy joe filling usually stays messier and less sticky than barbecue sauce.

Have there been changes to the availability of Sheetz Dr Pepper barbecue sauce?

Sheetz has sold Dr Pepper barbecue sauce at their locations. Customers have used it for sandwiches or as a dipping sauce.

Over the years, some people have noticed changes in its availability. Sometimes, Sheetz replaced it with other sauces or removed it from the menu.

Availability often depends on the location. Menu updates can also affect whether the sauce is offered, so it’s best to check with your local Sheetz.