Homemade Sloppy Joes
A quick and satisfying comfort food featuring a flavorful ground beef mixture served on soft buns.
Ingredients
For the beef mixture
- 1 pound ground beef Can substitute with ground turkey or chicken.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil Divided into 1 ½ tablespoons for cooking the beef and ½ tablespoon for vegetables.
- ½ green bell pepper minced
- 1 small yellow onion Minced.
- 3 cloves garlic Finely minced.
- ½ teaspoon chili powder Can adjust to taste.
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ tablespoon hot sauce Optional, but recommended.
- ⅓ cup ketchup Can substitute BBQ sauce for a smoky flavor.
- ⅔ cup water
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
Cooking the Beef
- Add 1 ½ tablespoons of olive oil to a large 12-inch skillet and heat over medium-high heat.
- Stir in the ground beef and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, or until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Drain the beef and remove it from the skillet; set aside and keep covered.
Cooking the Vegetables
- Return the skillet to the stove; heat the remaining oil.
- Add the peppers and onions; cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until softened.
- Stir in the garlic, chili powder, salt, and pepper; cook for 20 seconds.
Combining Ingredients
- Stir the beef back into the skillet and mix in the tomato paste, brown sugar, and hot sauce.
- Add ketchup, water, and Worcestershire sauce; mix and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Lower the heat to medium and continue to cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened.
Serving
- Remove from heat and serve over toasted buns.
Notes
Serve with toppings like shredded cheese, pickles, or coleslaw for extra flavor. Pair with fries or salad. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.