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Sloppy Joes Recipe

Sloppy Joes Recipe


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4.5 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Hearty Midwestern Sloppy Joes bring messy comfort to dinner tables with ground beef simmered in sweet and tangy sauce. Juicy meat nestled in pillowy buns delivers pure nostalgic satisfaction for hungry families craving classic American comfort food.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef

Vegetables:

  • 1/4 cup (40 grams) chopped onion
  • 1/4 cup (40 grams) chopped green bell pepper

Seasonings and Condiments:

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) ketchup
  • 3 teaspoons brown sugar
  • Salt to taste
  • Ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat a skillet over medium temperature and crumble ground beef, sautéing with diced onions and green peppers until meat turns completely brown and vegetables soften.
  2. Drain excess fat from the skillet to prevent greasy texture and ensure a clean, robust flavor profile.
  3. Incorporate garlic powder, yellow mustard, ketchup, and brown sugar into the meat mixture, stirring continuously to distribute seasonings evenly.
  4. Reduce heat to low and allow the mixture to gently simmer for approximately 25-30 minutes, letting ingredients meld and develop a rich, tangy sauce.
  5. Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning with salt and ground black pepper, ensuring a balanced and robust flavor.
  6. Toast hamburger buns lightly to provide a crisp foundation for the savory meat mixture.
  7. Generously spoon the warm Sloppy Joe mixture onto prepared buns, creating a hearty and satisfying sandwich that promises maximum deliciousness.

Notes

  • Drain meat thoroughly to prevent a watery, soggy texture that can make buns soggy and less enjoyable.
  • Consider using lean ground beef (90/10) to reduce excess fat while maintaining rich, meaty flavor.
  • Swap traditional buns with lettuce wraps for a low-carb, gluten-free alternative that keeps the dish light and fresh.
  • Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce for deeper, more complex umami flavor that elevates the classic recipe.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 298 kcal
  • Sugar: 11 g
  • Sodium: 440 mg
  • Fat: 17 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 18 g
  • Cholesterol: 65 mg