Description
A classic and hearty Sloppy Joe recipe featuring lean ground beef simmered in a flavorful homemade sauce with onions, green peppers, and a perfect blend of seasonings, served on toasted hamburger buns. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is a comforting and easy meal perfect for families or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- ½ small green bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1½ teaspoons yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- ¼ cup water, optional, or added to desired consistency
Meat & Fats
- 1 lb lean ground beef, 85%-90% lean
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasonings
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
Serving
- 4 hamburger buns, toasted if desired
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Finely chop the onion and seed and finely dice the green bell pepper to prepare the vegetables for cooking.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: In a bowl, mix together Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, brown sugar, and tomato sauce to create the flavorful Sloppy Joe sauce.
- Brown Beef and Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and sauté for about 5 minutes, breaking it up with a spatula, until it is cooked through and no longer pink. Season with salt and black pepper. Add the diced onion and green bell pepper, cooking for an additional 5 minutes until the vegetables become tender and the beef is browned.
- Add Garlic and Sauce, Then Simmer: Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning. Pour in the prepared sauce mixture and bring to a light boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes or until the sauce thickens to your liking. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed and add water if you prefer a thinner consistency.
- Serve: Spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture onto toasted hamburger buns and serve immediately for a delicious and satisfying sandwich meal.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef (85%-90%) for a balance of flavor and reduced fat content.
- To make the sandwich less messy, toast buns well to help hold the filling.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar for sweetness to suit your taste.
- For spicier Sloppy Joes, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
