Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef, 90/10
- 1 small sweet onion, diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 ½ cups beef stock
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the beef: Start by heating up a tablespoon of vegetable oil in your skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, and cook until browned—about 3 to 5 minutes. As the beef cooks, make sure to break it up with your spatula. You want nice little crumbles that will soak up all the sauce later. (Quick tip: If the beef starts releasing too much fat, don’t hesitate to drain it! Too much grease can make the final dish heavy.)
- Cook the veggies: Toss in your diced onion and bell pepper, cooking for about 3-4 minutes until they soften and the onions turn translucent. This step helps develop a sweetness and slight crunch, which gives the Sloppy Joe a more complex texture. I used to skip this step (rookie mistake), but trust me, you want those veggies to get nice and soft.
- Build the flavor: Add the tomato paste, garlic, smoked paprika, chili powder, and cayenne. Stir it all together for about a minute, until everything becomes fragrant. You should start smelling those smoky, garlicky aromas that make your mouth water.
- Deglaze with stock: Pour in the beef stock and scrape up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan—those are packed with flavor! The stock will also help keep the mixture from drying out and make it extra saucy.
- Simmer in the sauce: Stir in the ketchup, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. Let it come to a boil, then reduce the heat and let everything simmer together for 15-20 minutes. This is when the magic happens: the flavors meld, the sauce thickens, and you’ll have a rich, savory filling for your Sloppy Joes.
- Serve: Pile the mixture high onto soft buns. Serve immediately—preferably with extra napkins!
Notes
How to serve your Sloppy Joes like a pro
Sloppy Joes are definitely a casual meal, but you can still make them look great. Serve them on toasted buns to add a little crunch to contrast the soft filling. Top them with pickles, or even a slice of sharp cheddar or pepper jack if you want a cheesy twist. For sides, go for classic options like coleslaw, potato chips, or a crisp green salad. You can even take it up a notch with some homemade fries or sweet potato wedges!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner