Sloppy Joes Recipe
A sweet-and-tangy ground beef filling piled inside hamburger buns, this sloppy joes recipe is made with pantry ingredients. A nostalgic family favorite!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 sandwiches (1/2 cup filling each)
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 1 small green or red bell pepper 1/4-inch diced (about 1 cup), optional
- 1 cup shredded carrots or sweet potato
- 1 pound lean ground beef I used 90%
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- ¾ cup water
For Serving:
- Hamburger buns
- Sliced cheddar, pepper Jack, or American cheese optional
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium. Add the onion and pepper. Cooking, stirring every few minutes, for 5 minutes. Add the sweet potato and cook until it softens and cooks down, about 3 minutes more.
- Add the beef, chili powder, salt, garlic powder, and mustard. Cook, breaking apart the beef, until it is browned and fully cooked through and the veggies have completely softened, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 full minute.
- In a large liquid measuring cup with a spout or a bowl, whisk together the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and water.
- Pour the mixture over the beef. Let simmer, stirring occasionally, until it's thickened to your liking, about 5 minutes.
- To serve, spoon the mixture over the bottom buns. Add a slice of cheese (if desired) followed by the top bun. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- TO STORE: Transfer the leftover filling to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- TO REHEAT: Warm in a skillet set over medium-low heat or in the microwave.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze flat in a freezer bag with the air pressed out or in an airtight container. The filling will keep up to 3 months in the freezer; thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Nutritional information calculated without cheese and bun.
Nutrition
Serving: 1(of 6)Calories: 179kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 17gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 47mgPotassium: 520mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 3955IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 3mg
