Classic Sloppy Joes Sandwich (Printable)
Savory ground beef in tangy tomato sauce on toasted buns, ready in 35 minutes.
# Ingredient List:
→ Meat & Protein
01 - 1 lb ground beef (80-85% lean)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 1/2 green bell pepper, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauce & Seasonings
05 - 1 cup tomato sauce
06 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
07 - 2 tbsp ketchup
08 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
10 - 1 tsp yellow mustard
11 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
13 - 1/2 tsp salt
14 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
15 - 1/4 cup water
→ To Serve
16 - 4 hamburger buns, split and lightly toasted
17 - Optional: sliced pickles, shredded cheddar cheese
# Steps:
01 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned throughout, approximately 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are softened, about 3-4 minutes.
03 - Pour in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, yellow mustard, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and water. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
04 - Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
05 - Sample the mixture and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if necessary.
06 - Spoon the hot beef mixture generously onto the bottom halves of the toasted hamburger buns. Add pickles and cheese if desired. Top with the remaining bun halves and serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Comes together in under 40 minutes from start to finish
- The perfect balance of sweet and tangy that keeps everyone coming back for seconds
- Freezes beautifully so you can always have a backup homemade dinner ready
02 -
- The sauce will continue thickening as it cools, so don't reduce it too much during cooking
- Letting the mixture rest for a few minutes off the heat helps the flavors marry even more
03 -
- Invest in good quality buns because cheap ones will turn to mush instantly
- Spread a thin layer of butter on the inside of buns before toasting for extra flavor