Description
This classic Sloppy Joes recipe features a savory ground beef mixture cooked with a tangy tomato-based sauce and finely chopped vegetables, served on toasted hamburger buns. Quick and easy to prepare, this meal is a family favorite, perfect for a casual dinner or game day.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp yellow mustard (or to taste)
- 2-3 tsp brown sugar (or to taste)
Main Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp extra light olive oil (or any high-heat cooking oil)
- 1 lb lean ground beef (85%-90% lean)
- ½ tsp fine sea salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
Vegetables
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 1/2 small green bell pepper (seeded and finely diced, or use 1/2 cup grated carrot)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
To Serve
- 5 hamburger buns (toasted if desired)
Instructions
- Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, and brown sugar. Mix well and set aside to let the flavors blend.
- Cook the Beef: Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, then the ground beef. Sauté for about 5 minutes, breaking up the beef with a spatula until fully cooked and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat by tilting the pan and spooning it out or blotting with paper towels. Season with sea salt and black pepper.
- Add Vegetables: Stir the finely chopped onion and diced green bell pepper into the cooked beef. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes until the vegetables soften and the beef browns further. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Add the Sauce and Simmer: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with the beef and vegetables. Bring the mixture to a light boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If the mixture is too thick, add a bit of water to loosen it.
- Serve: Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto toasted hamburger buns and serve immediately for a delicious, hearty meal.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar and mustard to balance the sauce’s sweetness and tanginess according to your preference.
- You can substitute green bell pepper with grated carrot for a slightly sweeter and milder flavor.
- For leaner meat, choose ground beef with 85% to 90% lean content to reduce fat content without sacrificing taste.
- To reduce sodium, opt for low-sodium tomato sauce and ketchup.
- Toast the buns before serving for added texture and flavor.
