Description
This Classic Homemade Sloppy Joes recipe transforms lean ground beef into a hearty filling with a rich, savory sauce that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Enjoy a nostalgic and delicious meal that everyone will love!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb 80/20 ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard or Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup water or beef broth
- 4 soft hamburger buns
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add your ground beef and break it up with a spoon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully browned and no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes.
- Once the beef is browned, carefully drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the finely diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened and the onion is translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Push the beef and vegetables to one side of the pan. Add the tomato paste to the cleared side of the skillet and cook it for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then, stir the tomato paste into the beef and vegetable mixture.
- Pour in the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, yellow or Dijon mustard, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and water (or beef broth). Stir everything together thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
- Bring the sloppy joe mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer, uncovered, for at least 15-20 minutes, or up to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Before serving, taste the sloppy joe mixture and adjust seasoning as needed.
- While the mixture is simmering, toast your hamburger buns. Spoon the warm sloppy joe mixture generously onto the toasted buns and serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Toasting the buns prevents sogginess and adds texture. Adjust sweetness and tanginess to your preference by adding more brown sugar or apple cider vinegar. You can sneak in extra veggies for added nutrition.