Description
This classic Sloppy Joes recipe features lean ground beef cooked with sautéed onions and bell peppers, seasoned with a flavorful blend of spices, tomato sauce, and ketchup. The mixture is simmered until thick and served warm on fresh hamburger buns, making a quick and satisfying meal perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 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 (about 2 tsp)
Spices and Sauces
- 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 (beef or chicken), as needed for thinning
To Serve
- 4 hamburger buns (homemade or bakery fresh)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and red bell pepper, sautéing until nearly tender, about 6 minutes. Push the vegetables to one side of the pan.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the pan, allowing it to sear without stirring until browned on the bottom, about 2 to 3 minutes. Then start breaking up the beef and mix it with the sautéed peppers and onions. Continue cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes until beef is nearly cooked through.
- Season Beef: Drain excess fat from the skillet. Add minced garlic, chili powder, paprika, ground mustard, salt, and pepper to taste. Cook the beef mixture for about 1 minute more, tossing occasionally to incorporate the spices evenly.
- Add Sauces and Simmer: Stir in tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and natural hickory smoke flavor. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer until heated through, about 2 minutes. If the mixture appears too thick, thin it with splashes of water or broth as needed.
- Serve: Spoon the warm sloppy joe mixture onto hamburger buns and serve immediately for a delightful, hearty sandwich experience.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef (at least 90% lean) to reduce fat content and prevent excessive grease.
- Adjust the chili powder and paprika types based on your preferred heat and smokiness level.
- For a richer flavor, substitute water with beef or chicken broth when thinning the sauce.
- Serve with a side of coleslaw or pickles for added texture and flavor contrast.
- Hamburger buns can be toasted lightly for extra crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
