The name “Sloppy Joe” didn’t attach till the late 1950s or early 1960s. Before then, these were called things like “loose meat sandwiches” and “barbecued hamburger sandwiches.”
From the box of D.W. from Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Sloppy Joe Sandwiches
10-13 lbs. hamburger, browned on top of stove and drained.
Chop 4-6 onions and brown or cook with hamburger.
Drain off fat.
2 cans tomato soup, undiluted
2 T. dry mustard
5 T. Worcestershire sauce
2 T. salt and ground pepper
Instead of ketchup, I use Sloppy Joe mix. I put a little brown sugar on too. Add Sloppy Joe canned sauce.