Sloppy Joes Recipe
Make classic sloppy joes in 25 minutes with savory browned beef and sweet, tangy tomato sauce simmered until thick and glossy, ready for butter-toasted buns.
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- Colander
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1/3 green bell pepper minced
- 1/2 large yellow onion minced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 2/3 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 3/4 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- dash hot sauce
Instructions
- Warm the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat, then crumble in the ground beef and cook for about 5 minutes. Break up larger pieces as the beef browns, then pour it into a colander so excess grease drains away.
- Cook the bell pepper and onion in the same skillet for 2 to 3 minutes, then stir in the garlic for about 30 seconds. The vegetables should soften and the garlic should smell fragrant before the beef and tomato paste go back into the pan.
- Return the drained beef to the skillet and stir in the tomato paste, followed by the ketchup, water, brown sugar, mustard, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and hot sauce. Mix until the tomato paste disappears into the sauce and the beef is evenly coated with a glossy red-brown layer.
- Keep the mixture over medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, then remove the skillet from the heat when it reaches your preferred thickness. The finished filling should bubble gently and cling to the beef rather than pool around it.
Notes
Thickness check: Drag a wooden spoon across the pan bottom. The filling is ready when the spoon leaves a clear trail that slowly fills back in rather than instantly flooding.
Serving tip: Butter and toast the cut sides of your buns in a hot skillet before assembling. The crisp barrier prevents the sauce from making the bread soggy.
Storage: Cool the filling and refrigerate in an airtight container within two hours for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a small splash of water.
Nutrition information is an estimate based on common ingredients and serving sizes. Values may vary depending on brands, portions, and substitutions.