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Tangy Homemade Sloppy Joes 1

Tangy Homemade Sloppy Joes

This beloved American classic delivers the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors that will transport you straight back to childhood dinners. Made from scratch in under 30 minutes, these Sloppy Joes are healthier than store-bought mixes with 40% less sodium and 30% less sugar.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Sloppy Joes, Tangy Sloppy Joes, Homemade Sloppy Joes, Ground Beef Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 320kcal

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Wooden Spoon

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef 90/10 recommended
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 green bell pepper seeded and finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 3/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar provides that signature tanginess
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for heat
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 4-6 hamburger buns toasted

Instructions

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until the beef is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. If using higher fat beef, drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
  • Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the browned meat. Sauté for about 4-5 minutes until the vegetables soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, tomato paste, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes if using. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
  • Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer the mixture for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken slightly and the flavors will meld together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Toast your hamburger buns for optimal texture contrast. Using a slotted spoon, generously spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto the bottom half of each bun, then cap with the top half. Serve immediately.

Notes

For extra flavor, butter your buns before toasting them, and consider adding a slice of sharp cheddar cheese that will melt from the heat of the meat mixture. If the mixture becomes too thick, add 2-3 tablespoons of water or beef broth. Too thin? Simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes.
Substitutions: Ground turkey or plant-based ground meat can replace beef; coconut aminos for Worcestershire sauce; honey or maple syrup for brown sugar; red bell pepper for green.

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4.5g | Sodium: 590mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g
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