The Best Sloppy Joes
This is weeknight comfort food at its finest. We created a homemade sauce that is tangy and flavorful but also quick and easy. We used both ketchup and canned tomato sauce for lots of tomato-y zip and just a touch of brown sugar for a bit of sweetness and slight caramel finish. Green bell pepper is a key addition; it really enhances the other ingredients, elevating the flavor profile into the realm of a true sloppy joe.
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet Preferably heavy-bottomed for even heat distribution.
- 1 Wooden Spoon or Spatula For breaking up meat and stirring.
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Chef's knife For dicing vegetables.
- 1 Measuring Spoons and Cups For precise ingredient measurements.
Ingredients
Main
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 12 ounces 1 1/3 cup tomato sauce
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 6 hamburger buns toasted
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and starting to caramelize in some spots, 6 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the beef and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon or spatula, until it is browned, no longer pink in the middle and cooked through, 7 to 8 minutes.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, red wine vinegar, paprika, cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of black pepper and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened and heated through, 5 to 6 minutes. Spoon the meat onto the toasted buns.
Notes
Achieving a deep caramelization on the onions and bell peppers is crucial for building foundational flavor; don't rush this step. Ensure the ground beef is thoroughly browned and all moisture has evaporated before adding the sauce ingredients – this prevents a watery sauce and concentrates meaty flavor. Taste and adjust seasoning diligently before serving, balancing the sweetness from brown sugar with the tang from vinegar and mustard. For an extra layer of texture, consider buttering and griddling the hamburger buns until golden brown, not just toasting. A pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of your favorite hot sauce can add complexity.