Description
Savory Sloppy Joes elevate classic comfort food with a hearty blend of ground beef, tangy sauce, and perfectly toasted buns. Messy yet irresistible, this crowd-pleasing dish brings zesty flavor and warmth to your dinner table, promising a delightful meal you’ll crave again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds lean ground beef (90/10)
Aromatics and Vegetables:
- 1 small sweet onion, diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1.5 cups beef stock
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the meat by heating oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Introduce ground beef and cook for 3-5 minutes, crumbling with a spoon until evenly browned. Drain excess fat while maintaining moisture.
- Incorporate diced onion and green bell pepper into the skillet. Sauté until vegetables soften and release aromatic notes, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Enhance flavor profile by adding tomato paste, garlic, smoked paprika, chili powder, and cayenne pepper. Allow spices to bloom and tomato paste to caramelize for about 1 minute.
- Deglaze the pan with beef stock, scraping browned bits from skillet bottom to maximize flavor complexity. Stir thoroughly and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Introduce complementary sauce ingredients including ketchup, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. Season with salt and pepper, then elevate heat to create a quick boil.
- Reduce temperature to low, allowing mixture to simmer for 15-20 minutes. Occasionally stir as sauce thickens and flavors meld together, creating a rich, cohesive mixture.
- Serve hot by generously spooning the savory mixture over toasted buns, creating a classic comfort food experience.
Notes
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken to reduce fat content and create a lighter version of the classic dish.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or serve over lettuce wraps for those avoiding wheat-based products.
- Adjust cayenne and chili powder levels to customize heat intensity, making it mild for kids or fiery for spice lovers.
- Prepare the mixture in advance and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing flavors to develop more deeply.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg