Slammin' Sloppy Joes

A sloppy joes sandwich on a white plate next to a jar of sliced pickles.

Course: lunch

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Kid favorite recipe, Sloppy Joe, Sloppy Joes recipe

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 30

Servings:

Calories: 444kcal

Author: Kris Longwell

These Slammin' Sloppy Joes are just that...Slammin!! This is the original recipe, kicked up a few notches. Serve with a crisp pickle, a cold beer or soda, and you'll be one happy camper.

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Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup yellow onion chopped
½ cup green bell pepper cored, seeded, chopped
1½ lbs ground beef 85% lean, preferably
¼ cup beef stock
1 cup tomato sauce
½ cup chili sauce
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp brown sugar dark or light
1½ Kosher salt divided
½ tsp fresh ground black pepper divided
1 cup cheddar cheese grated
6 sesame-seed sandwich buns split and lightly buttered

Instructions

In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and bell peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 6 to 8 minutes.
Add the beef and break up with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 10 to 12 minutes. If desired, remove the excess grease by tilting the skillet to one side, and remove the grease with a large spoon into a small bowl. Leave about 1 to 2 tbsp in the skillet.
Add the beef stock, tomato sauce, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and pepper and bring to a simmer, stirring to fully incorporate.
Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 20 minutes until most of the liquid has reduced down, stirring occasionally.
Toast the buttered buns (a couple minutes under the broiler...but keep an eye on them!)
On a baking sheet, add a mound of meat mixture for each sandwich you are preparing. Place a handful of cheese on top of each mound of meat. Place under the broiler until cheese has melted. Keep an eye on them, don't let them burn!
Use a spatula to transfer the sloppy joe mounds topped with melted cheese onto the bun bottoms. Add the top bun and serve at once!

Video

Notes

See body of post for ingredient substitutions.

Heinz makes an excellent chili sauce that can be found in the condiments section of your supermarket, near the ketchup. We love using Sriracha ketchup for just a little more heat. Regular ketchup works great, too.

The Sloppy Joe's meat mixture will keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week and freezes beautifully for up to 2 months.

Nutrition