Description
This classic Sloppy Joes recipe features lean ground beef simmered with onions, bell peppers, and a flavorful blend of spices in a tangy tomato-based sauce. Served warm on fresh hamburger buns, it's a comforting and easy meal perfect for casual dinners or family gatherings.
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 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. Sauté until they are nearly tender, about 6 minutes. Push the vegetables to one side of the pan to make room for the meat.
- Brown the Beef: Crumble the ground beef into the skillet next to the vegetables. Allow the beef to sear and brown on the bottom for 2 to 3 minutes. Then turn and break up the beef while tossing it with the peppers and onions. Continue cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes until the beef is nearly cooked through.
- Drain Fat and Add Seasonings: Carefully drain any excess fat from the pan. Add minced garlic, chili powder, paprika, ground mustard, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Cook the mixture for about 1 minute while tossing occasionally to combine flavors and cook the garlic through.
- Add Sauces and Simmer: Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and natural hickory smoke flavor. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer until heated through, about 2 minutes. If the mixture is too thick, thin it out with splashes of water, beef broth, or chicken broth as needed to reach desired consistency.
- Serve: Spoon the hot sloppy joe mixture onto hamburger buns and serve immediately for a delicious, comforting meal.
Notes
- Ground turkey can be substituted for beef; avoid using super lean turkey for better flavor and moisture.
- Use a corn syrup-free ketchup like Simply Heinz or Trader Joe's for a less sweet, more natural taste.
- Pair Sloppy Joes with sides like grilled corn, coleslaw, potato chips, pickle spears, or potato salad for a complete meal.
- For a spicier kick, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
- Leftover sloppy joe mixture can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
