Description
This Easy Sloppy Joe recipe is a delicious and hearty classic American sandwich featuring ground beef cooked with onions, bell peppers, and a flavorful tomato-based sauce. Perfectly seasoned with smoked paprika, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, these sloppy joes are quick to prepare and ideal for a family-friendly meal served on toasted buns.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
Sauce Ingredients
- 3/4 cup tomato ketchup
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon white or apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup beef broth or water
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Toasting Buns
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up slightly but leaving large chunks. Let it cook undisturbed for about 8 minutes until a nice crust forms. Stir and flip, cooking for another 5 minutes. If excess fat accumulates, spoon out all but about a tablespoon.
- Cook Vegetables: Stir in the chopped onions and green bell pepper. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes while breaking the beef into smaller pieces.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Reduce heat to medium, then stir in ketchup, mustard, garlic powder, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes (if using), Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, and beef broth. Let the mixture cook for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens but remains moist.
- Season to Taste: Taste the sloppy joe mixture and season with salt and pepper as needed. Optionally, add brown sugar if you prefer a sweeter flavor.
- Toast the Buns: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Toast the insides of the buns in batches, watching carefully until they develop a golden brown color.
- Serve: Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto the toasted buns and serve immediately for a delicious meal.
Notes
- Smoked paprika adds a wonderful depth of flavor but can be adjusted based on your spice preference.
- The crushed red pepper flakes are optional for a mild heat; omit them if you prefer no spice.
- If there’s too much fat after browning the beef, removing most can prevent greasiness.
- Brown sugar can be added to enhance sweetness but is not necessary as ketchup already provides sweetness.
- Toasting buns adds texture and prevents sogginess when serving sloppy joes.
