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The BEST Sloppy Joe Recipe: A Beginner’s Guide to Comfort Food Classics

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Craving a taste of childhood? This Sloppy Joe recipe is the ultimate comfort food, with a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. Made with ground beef and a rich, homemade sauce, it’s a quick and easy meal that’s a hit with everyone. This easy recipe is perfect for beginner cooks, requiring minimal prep and delivering maximum flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped (optional)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ¾ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ¼ tsp chili powder (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 hamburger buns, toasted
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheese, pickles, coleslaw

Instructions

  • Cook the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula. Breaking up the ground beef ensures that it cooks evenly and prevents it from clumping together. Cook the beef until it is about halfway browned.
  • Add Vegetables: When the beef is about halfway browned, add the finely chopped onion, bell pepper (if using), and minced garlic. Cook until the beef is fully browned and the vegetables are softened, about 5–7 minutes. Cooking the vegetables until softened ensures that they blend seamlessly into the sauce and adds a depth of flavor to the filling.
  • Drain Excess Grease: Drain off any excess grease from the skillet. This helps to keep the Sloppy Joes from being greasy and heavy.
  • Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and stir in the ketchup, tomato paste, water, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, chili powder (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well to combine, ensuring the beef and vegetables are fully coated in the sauce.
  • Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened and the flavors meld together. Simmering the sauce allows the flavors to develop and deepen, creating a rich and complex flavor profile. The sauce should be thick enough to cling
  • Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Taste the Sloppy Joe mixture and adjust the seasoning if needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, sugar, vinegar, or chili powder to balance the flavors to your liking. Taste and adjust until you achieve the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. 
  • Assemble and Serve: Spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture generously onto toasted hamburger buns. Add optional toppings if desired, such as shredded cheese, pickles, or coleslaw. Serve immediately while the Sloppy Joes are warm and the buns are toasted. The warmth of the filling will melt the cheese and soften the pickles or coleslaw slightly. to the meat and vegetables.

Notes

  • Use lean ground beef to reduce grease.
  • Adjust chili powder for desired spice level.
  • Toast buns for a better texture.
  • Get creative with toppings!

Find it online: https://paularecipes.com/the-best-sloppy-joe-recipe-a-beginners-guide-to-comfort-food-classics/