Ground beef and bell pepper simmer in a tangy tomato sauce, thick enough to pile onto soft buns without soaking straight through.
A little mustard and cider vinegar keep Sloppy Joes from tasting too sweet. The beef cooks with onion and green pepper before the tomato sauce goes in, giving the filling small, tender pieces of vegetables instead of a raw crunch.
Choose lean ground beef so the sauce stays glossy rather than greasy. Leave the skillet uncovered for the final simmer; the filling should mound on a spoon, with no watery puddle underneath.
Method
Put the ground beef, onion and green bell pepper in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for , breaking up the meat, until the beef is browned and the vegetables soften. Spoon off excess fat.
Add the garlic and cook for , stirring until its aroma rises from the pan.
Stir in the ketchup, tomato sauce, yellow mustard, cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt and black pepper. Simmer uncovered over medium-low heat for until the filling is thick and the beef reaches 160°F.
Divide the hot filling among the hamburger buns and close with the tops. Serve while the buns are still soft and the filling holds its shape.
Forkue tips
- For a less sweet filling, start with half the brown sugar and taste the sauce after it reduces.
Storing and reheating
Keep the filling separate from the buns in the refrigerator for 3 days or freeze it for 3 months. Reheat in a saucepan with a splash of water until steaming.
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Photo: jeffreyw, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped and enhanced)
Sloppy Joes: FAQ
Can I make the filling ahead?
Yes. The filling reheats well and becomes a little thicker overnight, so loosen it with water before spooning it onto fresh buns.
How do I stop the sandwiches from getting soggy?
Reduce the sauce until it clings to the beef, and assemble only when ready to eat. Packing the filling and buns separately also helps.
How do I store and reheat Sloppy Joes?
Keep the filling separate from the buns in the refrigerator for 3 days or freeze it for 3 months. Reheat in a saucepan with a splash of water until steaming.
How long does Sloppy Joes take?
About 35 min in total: 10 min prep and 25 min cooking.
What do I need to make Sloppy Joes?
The key ingredients are ground beef, onion, green bell pepper, garlic, ketchup and tomato sauce, plus pantry basics.
Any tips for Sloppy Joes?
For a less sweet filling, start with half the brown sugar and taste the sauce after it reduces.
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