Description
This easy Sloppy Joes recipe features a hearty ground beef mixture simmered with onions, bell peppers, garlic, and a tangy tomato-based sauce, served on toasted buns. Perfect for a quick and satisfying family meal, this classic American comfort food is enhanced with optional toppings like pickled onions and pepperoncini for extra flavor and crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef (80/20)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion (chopped finely)
- 1 green bell pepper (chopped finely)
- 6 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- ¾ cup ketchup
- â…” cup water
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 ½ teaspoons kosher salt (or more to taste)
Serving Ingredients (Optional)
- 8 buns (toasted)
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- â…“ cup Lena’s Kitchen Pickled Onions
- ¼ cup pepperoncini
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef in chunks, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until thoroughly browned with no pink remaining, about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the beef to a bowl, draining excess grease.
- Sauté Vegetables: Return the skillet to medium heat. Add olive oil, chopped onion, and green bell pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Add Tomato Paste and Beef: Stir in the tomato paste to the vegetables, combining well. Return the browned beef to the pan and mix thoroughly.
- Combine Sauce and Simmer: In a separate bowl, whisk together ketchup, water, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, and kosher salt. Pour this mixture into the pan with the beef and vegetables. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
- Assemble and Serve: Toast the buns if desired. Spread Dijon mustard on one side of each bun (optional). Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto the buns. Top with pickled onions and pepperoncini if using. Serve immediately with a side salad or chips.
Notes
- Drain excess grease from the cooked beef to avoid a greasy sandwich.
- Adjust salt and chili powder according to taste preferences for spice and seasoning.
- Optional toppings like pickled onions and pepperoncini add a nice tang and crunch but can be omitted for simplicity.
- To make this recipe ahead, prepare the beef mixture and refrigerate; reheat gently before serving.
- For a lower-fat option, substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef.
