Description
A classic Sloppy Joes recipe featuring lean ground beef simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce with spices, served warm on fresh hamburger buns. Perfect for a quick, hearty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 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 (2 tsp)
- 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, for thinning as needed
- 4 hamburger buns, homemade or bakery fresh
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil: Heat olive oil in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
- Sauté vegetables: Add chopped yellow onion and red bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté until they are nearly tender, about 6 minutes, then push them to one side of the pan.
- Brown the beef: Crumble in the lean ground beef. Let it sear without stirring until browned on the bottom, about 2 to 3 minutes. Then turn the beef and begin breaking it up, mixing it with the peppers and onions. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until nearly cooked through.
- Drain fat and season: Drain excess fat from the beef mixture. Add minced garlic, chili powder, paprika, ground mustard, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Cook for about 1 minute, tossing occasionally to combine flavors.
- Add sauces and simmer: Stir in tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and natural hickory smoke flavor. Reduce heat and simmer the mixture until heated through, about 2 minutes. Thin the sauce as needed with splashes of water, beef broth, or chicken broth.
- Serve: Spoon the sloppy joe mixture warm onto hamburger buns and serve immediately.
Notes
- Ground turkey can be substituted for ground beef, but avoid super lean options for best texture and flavor.
- Use corn syrup-free ketchup like Simply Heinz or Trader Joe's for a cleaner taste.
- Pair the Sloppy Joes with sides such as grilled corn, coleslaw, potato chips, pickle spears, or potato salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
