Classic Homemade Sloppy Joes

Quick facts

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 1/2 green bell pepper, finely diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp yellow mustard
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 6 hamburger buns
• 1 tbsp butter for toasting buns, optional

Step-by-step method

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add beef and cook 5–7 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles. Drain excess fat if the pan is very greasy.

2. Add onion and bell pepper. Cook 5 minutes until softened, then add garlic for 30 seconds.

3. Stir in tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, mustard, chili powder, salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.

4. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is glossy and thick enough that a spoon dragged across the pan leaves a trail for a moment.

5. Taste and balance: add a teaspoon of vinegar for more tang, a pinch of sugar for sweetness, or a splash of water if the mixture becomes too thick.

6. Toast buns cut-side down in a buttered skillet if desired. Spoon the hot beef mixture onto the bottom buns and serve immediately.

How to know it is done

Use the visual cues described in the method and, when appropriate, an instant-read thermometer. Do not rely on time alone because ingredient size, oven calibration and cookware can change the cooking rate.

Tips for the best result

• Finely dice the vegetables so they blend into the meat instead of falling out of the sandwich.
• Simmer uncovered; evaporation is what creates the classic thick consistency.
• Toast the buns to slow down sogginess.

Variations and substitutions

You can adjust heat and seasonings to taste. When substituting a major ingredient or dairy product, keep a similar quantity and fat/moisture level so the final texture stays close to the original.

Storage and reheating

Refrigerate the filling up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months. Reheat in a saucepan with a tablespoon or two of water if needed. Store buns separately.

Approximate nutrition per serving

Approximately 430 calories per serving. Nutrition is an estimate and varies with brands, portion size and substitutions.