Description
Homemade Sloppy Joes are a classic American comfort food featuring a savory ground beef mixture simmered in a tangy tomato-based sauce with onions and bell peppers, served on soft hamburger buns. This recipe captures the traditional flavors with room for customization, perfect for quick family meals or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
To Serve
- 4 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil: Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for cooking the ground beef.
- Brown the ground beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon to ensure even cooking and a crumbly texture.
- Cook the vegetables: Stir in the diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic, cooking until the vegetables soften and become fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Add tomato paste: Mix in the tomato paste and cook for one minute to deepen its flavor.
- Combine the sauce ingredients: Pour in the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir well to combine all flavors.
- Simmer the mixture: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the sloppy joe filling and adjust seasonings as desired to achieve your preferred balance of flavors.
- Serve: Spoon the hot sloppy joe mixture onto the hamburger buns and serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- For richer flavor, use a heavy-bottomed skillet to brown the meat properly.
- Optional additions include finely diced mushrooms or grated carrots to boost nutrition and enhance texture.
- Increase cayenne pepper or add hot sauce if you prefer a spicier dish.
- Prepare the mixture in advance and refrigerate for up to three days or freeze for longer storage.
- Toast buns lightly before serving to prevent soggy bread.
- Try whole wheat or brioche buns for different taste and texture experiences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Sloppy Joes, Ground Beef Sandwich, Comfort Food, American Classic, Easy Dinner, Family Meal
