Description
This Best Ever Sloppy Joes recipe offers a hearty, flavorful twist on a classic American comfort food. Ground beef is cooked with a savory medley of sautéed vegetables and simmered in a tangy tomato-based sauce with hints of Worcestershire, vinegar, and spices. Served hot on toasted hamburger buns, this dish delivers perfect messy, saucy satisfaction for a family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup minced carrots (can substitute chopped bell pepper)
- 1 cup finely chopped onion (about 1 medium onion)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Meat
- 1 1/4 pounds ground beef
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 cups tomato sauce (or 1 15-ounce can whole tomatoes, puréed)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
- Pinch ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Pinch cayenne pepper
- 2 turns freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For Serving
- 4 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the minced carrots and cook for 5 minutes. (If using bell peppers instead of carrots, add them simultaneously with the onions.) Add the chopped onion and celery, stirring occasionally, until the onions turn translucent, about 5 more minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Remove the vegetables from the pan and set aside in a medium bowl.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In the same pan, crumble the ground beef. If using extra lean beef, add 1 tablespoon olive oil to prevent sticking. Sprinkle salt over the meat. Let the beef cook undisturbed to brown on one side, then flip to brown the other side. If cooking in batches, remove each batch with a slotted spoon to the bowl with vegetables. When all beef is cooked, drain excess fat leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
- Combine Ingredients and Simmer: Return the cooked beef and sautéed vegetables to the pan. Break up any large chunks of meat with a wooden spoon. Stir in ketchup, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, and brown sugar. Season with ground cloves, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, and freshly ground black pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer the mixture for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Serve the Sloppy Joes: Serve the hot sloppy joe mixture immediately on toasted hamburger buns. Alternatively, refrigerate to make ahead and gently reheat before serving.
Notes
- Bell peppers can be used in place of carrots for a different flavor profile.
- Extra lean beef may require added olive oil to prevent drying out during browning.
- Toasting the hamburger buns adds a nice texture contrast to the soft, saucy meat.
- Sloppy joes can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to control spiciness according to your preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Sloppy Joes, Ground Beef Sandwich, Comfort Food, American Recipe, Easy Dinner
