The BEST Homemade Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp butter
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground beef
• ⅓ green bell pepper, minced
• ½ large yellow onion, minced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp tomato paste
• ⅔ cup ketchup
• ⅓ cup water
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar (or less, if you prefer)
• 1 tsp yellow mustard
• ¾ tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Dash of hot sauce (optional)

Instructions

1. Brown the beef — Heat butter and oil in a large skillet over medium / medium-high heat. Add beef and brown, breaking it apart into crumbles as it cooks, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a colander to drain.
2. Build the base — Add onion and bell pepper to the same skillet and cook 2–3 minutes, until soft. Add garlic and cook about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Return the beef to the skillet and add the tomato paste. Stir well.
3. Add the sauce — Add ketchup, water, brown sugar, mustard, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, red pepper flakes (if using), and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
4. Simmer — Cook over medium heat for 10–15 minutes, until the mixture has thickened to your liking. Remove from heat and serve over toasted buns.

Notes

• Toast the buns — Crank a skillet to high with a drizzle of vegetable oil, toast the buns cut-side down, and rest them cut-side up on a cooling rack. Makes a real difference.
• Watch the reduction — Too much reduction = dry sloppy joes. Target: when you drag a spoon through, the sauce takes a few seconds to flow back into the trail. Too fast = too liquidy.
• Bun pick — Pretzel or brioche bun recommended.
• Crockpot version — Brown the beef first, then combine all remaining ingredients (no buns) and cook LOW 4–6 hours or HIGH 2–3 hours. Softer texture than the skillet version.
• Freezer-friendly — Cool completely, freeze in containers up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving.
• Use the leftover meat — On waffle fries with melted cheese, in grilled cheese, wrapped in crescent roll dough (bake 375°F for 12–15 min), or as a burger topper.

Nutrition (per serving)

Tags: #recipe #mains #beef #sandwich #weeknight #familyfriendly #freezerfriendly #american