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Ultimate Sloppy Joes Recipe

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4.3 from 4 reviews

This Ultimate Sloppy Joes recipe features a rich, homemade sauce with perfectly browned ground beef, sweet bell peppers, and a tangy blend of ketchup and mustard. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s an easy, family-friendly dinner classic that delivers big flavor on toasted hamburger buns.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
  • 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced

Sauce Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
  • 3/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Brown the Beef: Heat a large skillet over high heat and add the ground beef. Brown without stirring until a deep brown crust forms on the bottom, then stir to break apart the meat. Continue cooking until about half of the beef has a deep crust and it’s cooked through.
  2. Cook Vegetables: Remove the beef from the skillet and drain excess liquid. Add the butter, chopped onion, and green bell pepper to the pan. Let brown without stirring for 1-2 minutes, then stir and allow to brown another 1-2 minutes to soften and caramelize the vegetables.
  3. Combine and Simmer: Return the browned beef to the skillet. Add the minced garlic, yellow mustard, ketchup, brown sugar, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until about 75% of the liquid has evaporated and the mixture thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Serve: Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto toasted hamburger buns and serve immediately.

Notes

  • For best flavor, use lean ground beef but not too lean to retain juiciness.
  • Toast the hamburger buns to prevent sogginess from the sauce.
  • Adjust the sweetness by varying brown sugar amount to taste.
  • Add a dash of Worcestershire or hot sauce if you prefer a tangier or spicier version.
  • Leftover sloppy joe mixture can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Find it online: https://lauracooks.com/ultimate-sloppy-joes-recipe/