Description
A classic American comfort food, Sloppy Joes are made with a flavorful ground beef mixture simmered in a tangy tomato-based sauce, seasoned with smoky and spicy spices, and served warm on soft hamburger buns. This easy and satisfying recipe is perfect for a quick family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 3/4 cup chopped yellow onion
- 3/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (2 tsp)
- 1 tsp chili powder (regular or Ancho)
- 1 tsp paprika (sweet or smoked)
- 1/2 tsp ground mustard
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp natural hickory smoke flavor
- Water or broth, for thinning as needed
- 4 hamburger buns, homemade or bakery fresh
Instructions
- Heat oil and sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped yellow onion and red bell pepper, sautéing until they are nearly tender, about 6 minutes. Push the vegetables to one side of the pan.
- Cook the ground beef: Crumble in the lean ground beef on the empty side of the pan, letting it sear and brown on the bottom for 2 to 3 minutes. Then stir and begin breaking up the beef, mixing it with the vegetables, cooking an additional 2 to 3 minutes until beef is nearly cooked through.
- Drain fat and add seasonings: Drain any excess fat from the beef mixture. Add the minced garlic, chili powder, paprika, ground mustard, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Cook for about 1 minute more while tossing occasionally to combine flavors.
- Simmer with sauces and seasonings: Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and hickory smoke flavor. Reduce heat and let the mixture simmer until heated through, about 2 minutes. Thin the mixture with splashes of water, beef broth, or chicken broth if necessary to reach your desired consistency.
- Serve: Spoon the hot sloppy joe mixture onto hamburger buns and serve immediately for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey for ground beef, but avoid using super lean turkey to retain moisture and flavor.
- Use corn syrup-free ketchup options such as Simply Heinz or Trader Joe's for a cleaner flavor.
- Serve your sloppy joes with sides like grilled corn, coleslaw, potato chips, pickle spears, or potato salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
