Description
A classic Sloppy Joes recipe with lean ground beef simmered in a savory tomato sauce, seasoned with chili powder, paprika, and smoky flavors, served warm on fresh hamburger buns. A perfect quick and satisfying meal for any day.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 3/4 cup chopped yellow onion
- 3/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (2 tsp)
- 1 tsp chili powder (regular or Ancho)
- 1 tsp paprika (sweet or smoked)
- 1/2 tsp ground mustard
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup (corn syrup-free preferred)
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp natural hickory smoke flavor
- Water or broth (beef or chicken), for thinning as needed
- 4 hamburger buns (homemade or bakery fresh)
Instructions
- Heat and sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and red bell pepper, sauté until nearly tender, about 6 minutes. Push the vegetables to one side of the pan.
- Brown the beef: Crumble ground beef into the empty side of the skillet and let sear until browned on the bottom, about 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the beef and start breaking it up, then mix it with the sautéed vegetables. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the beef is nearly cooked through.
- Drain fat and season: Drain fat from the beef mixture. Add minced garlic, chili powder, paprika, ground mustard, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Continue cooking for about 1 minute, stirring occasionally to combine the flavors.
- Add sauces and simmer: Stir in tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and natural hickory smoke flavor. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 2 minutes until heated through. Thin the mixture with splashes of water or broth if needed to reach desired consistency.
- Serve: Spoon the warm sloppy joe mixture onto hamburger buns and serve immediately. Pair with sides like grilled corn, coleslaw, or potato salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Ground turkey can be substituted for ground beef (avoid using super lean turkey to retain moisture).
- Use a corn syrup-free ketchup brand such as Simply Heinz or Trader Joe’s for a cleaner taste.
- Pair Sloppy Joes with sides like grilled corn, coleslaw, potato chips, pickle spears, or potato salad for a traditional meal experience.
- If desired, adjust seasoning according to taste and add more chili powder for extra heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
