Description
Hearty Sloppy Joe sandwiches promise a delicious twist on classic comfort fare from American kitchens. Juicy ground beef melts with tangy sauce between fluffy buns, delivering pure satisfaction for hungry diners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80% lean)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped (optional)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¾ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tbsps Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsps brown sugar
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp chili powder (optional, for heat)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 hamburger buns, toasted
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, pickles, or coleslaw
Instructions
- Meat Foundation: Ignite a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, delicately fragmenting ground beef with a wooden utensil to ensure uniform breakdown.
- Vegetable Integration: Once beef reaches partial browning, introduce diced onions, chopped bell peppers, and minced garlic. Continue cooking until meat completely browns and vegetables soften, approximately 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fatty liquid to maintain a pristine cooking environment.
- Flavor Infusion: Reduce skillet temperature to medium, then artfully blend ketchup, tomato paste, liquid component, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, apple cider vinegar, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper into a vibrant sauce mixture.
- Sauce Harmonization: Thoroughly incorporate sauce elements, ensuring comprehensive meat coating and flavor equilibrium. Lower heat to minimal setting, allowing the mixture to gently simmer and concentrate flavors, stirring intermittently for 10-15 minutes until achieving a luxurious, thickened consistency.
- Final Composition: Calibrate seasoning to personal preference. Toast hamburger buns until golden and crisp. Generously ladle the robust meat mixture onto prepared buns, creating a hearty sandwich experience. Optionally embellish with pickles, cheese, or fresh herbs, then serve immediately for peak temperature and texture.
Notes
- Drain Meat Thoroughly: Remove excess fat completely to prevent greasy, soggy Sloppy Joes and ensure a cleaner, more concentrated flavor profile.
- Control Sauce Consistency: Simmer sauce slowly and stir frequently to achieve perfect thickness – the mixture should coat the meat without being too runny or overly dry.
- Balance Flavor Layers: Adjust sweet and tangy elements carefully, tasting as you go to create a harmonious blend of ketchup, vinegar, and brown sugar without overwhelming the meat.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap ground beef for turkey or plant-based alternatives, use low-sugar ketchup for diabetic-friendly version, or serve over cauliflower rice for low-carb option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg