Description
Hearty midwestern classic Sloppy Joes deliver messy, meaty comfort straight from American kitchen tables. Juicy ground beef smothered in tangy sauce nestles between pillowy buns, promising pure satisfaction for hungry souls.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef (lean, 80/20 or 85/15)
Vegetables:
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) diced onion
- 1 minced garlic clove
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 1 (8 ounces/226 grams) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) ketchup
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) salt
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 grams) black pepper
Serving:
- Soft hamburger buns or brioche buns
Instructions
- Sear ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until it develops a rich, caramelized exterior, breaking it into crumbly pieces. This process takes approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Eliminate excess fat by carefully draining the skillet, preserving the meat’s savory essence.
- Introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic, allowing them to release their aromatic flavors and soften slightly.
- Cascade tomato sauce into the meat mixture, creating a vibrant crimson base for the classic sandwich filling.
- Incorporate ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar to develop a complex, tangy-sweet profile that elevates the traditional sloppy joe flavor.
- Enhance the sauce with yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper, stirring thoroughly to ensure even distribution of seasonings.
- Reduce heat to low, allowing the mixture to gently simmer and thicken. The slow cooking process melds the ingredients, intensifying the overall taste and creating a rich, clingy texture.
- Continue stirring periodically to prevent scorching and promote uniform consistency, which typically takes 10-15 minutes.
- Once the sauce reaches a perfect spreadable density, generously ladle the robust beef mixture onto toasted hamburger buns.
- Serve immediately while the filling remains hot and the buns maintain their crisp texture.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a healthier version of the classic Sloppy Joes.
- Swap traditional beef with plant-based alternatives like Beyond Meat or lentils for a vegetarian-friendly option that maintains the rich, savory flavor profile.
- Experiment with different types of buns like whole wheat, brioche, or pretzel rolls to add unique textures and elevate the classic sandwich experience.
- Add a splash of hot sauce or diced jalapeños for those who want an extra kick of spice and depth in the Sloppy Joe mixture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg