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Sloppy Joes Recipe

Sloppy Joes

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Sloppy Joes recipe: find ingredients, cooking, and serving for the perfect sandwich.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound Ground Beef
  • 1 large Yellow Onion, finely diced
  • 1 Green Bell Pepper, finely diced
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper, finely diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 15 ounces Crushed Tomatoes
  • 6 ounces Tomato Paste
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1/4 cup Brown Sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 4 Hamburger Buns
  • 2 tablespoons Butter

Instructions

  • Begin by gathering all your ingredients. Finely dice your yellow onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper – aim for pieces no larger than a quarter inch so they meld beautifully into the sauce. Mince your garlic cloves. In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven, heat a touch of olive oil over medium-high heat.
  • Add your ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Brown the beef thoroughly, letting it develop a nice caramelization, for about 7-8 minutes. Once browned, drain any excess fat from the pan; this step is crucial for a cleaner, less greasy texture.
  • Reduce the heat to medium, then add the diced onions, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper to the skillet with the beef. Sauté, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables have softened and become fragrant, but not browned. Now, stir in the minced garlic and cook for just another minute until aromatic – be careful not to burn the garlic!
  • Push the beef and vegetable mixture to one side of the pan, add the tomato paste to the cleared space, and let it cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring it directly in the heat until it deepens in color and becomes fragrant. This step awakens its flavor!
  • Stir the tomato paste into the beef and vegetable mixture. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Add the smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together until well combined.
  • Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it cook for at least 20-25 minutes, or up to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. This simmering time is essential as it allows all the flavors to meld and deepen beautifully, creating that rich, complex taste. The sauce should thicken to a luscious, spoonable consistency that clings to the beef, not watery but also not overly dry. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed – you might want a touch more salt, pepper, or a pinch more sugar or vinegar to balance the flavors to your preference.
  • To make the toasted hamburger buns: slice your hamburger buns in half, if they aren’t already. In a separate large skillet or on a griddle, melt a pat of butter over medium heat. Once the butter is shimmering, place the cut sides of the hamburger buns face down in the skillet. Toast for 2-3 minutes, or until they turn a lovely golden brown and become slightly crisp at the edges. The butter adds an irresistible richness and creates a fantastic texture that stands up perfectly to the saucy filling.
  • Once your Sloppy Joe mixture has simmered to perfection and your buns are beautifully toasted, it’s time to create your masterpiece. Take a generous scoop of the warm, saucy ground beef mixture and pile it onto the bottom half of a toasted hamburger bun. Don’t be shy – these are “Sloppy” Joes, after all! Top with the other toasted bun half. Serve immediately and embrace the delicious mess!

Notes

There’s something irresistibly comforting about a classic Sloppy Joe, and this recipe elevates it to an art form. Imagine tender, seasoned ground beef simmered in a rich, tangy, and subtly sweet sauce that clings perfectly to a buttery, toasted bun. Each bite is a delightful explosion of savory goodness, a harmonious blend of flavors that dances on your palate. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a nostalgic journey back to simpler times, packed with big, bold flavors and a satisfyingly messy charm that makes it an instant family favorite. Get ready to experience the Sloppy Joe redefined!