Description
This classic Sloppy Joes recipe features a savory and slightly sweet tomato-based sauce combined with lean ground beef and sautéed vegetables. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal, it takes just 30 minutes to prepare and yields five generous servings of delicious sandwich filling served on toasted hamburger buns.
Ingredients
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 Mixture
- 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)
- 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)
Serving
- 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 allow the flavors to meld.
- Cook the Beef: Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and the ground beef. Sauté the beef for about 5 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula, until it is thoroughly cooked and no longer pink. If excess fat accumulates in the pan, carefully spoon it out or blot with paper towels. Season the beef with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in the finely chopped onion and diced green bell pepper (or grated carrot). Cook for another 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened and the beef develops a nice browned color. Add the minced garlic, sautéing for 30 seconds while stirring constantly until fragrant.
- Add the Sauce and Simmer: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with the beef and vegetable mixture. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes or until the sauce thickens to your preferred consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding a little water if a thinner sauce is desired.
- Serve: Spoon the hot sloppy joe mixture onto toasted hamburger buns and serve immediately for a classic, hearty sandwich experience.
Notes
- Adjust the brown sugar amount to control the sweetness to your preference.
- You can substitute green bell pepper with grated carrot for a slightly different flavor and texture.
- For leaner options, you may drain any excess fat thoroughly after cooking the beef.
- To enhance the sandwich, consider adding pickles or cheese slices.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American