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Homemade Sloppy Joes

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Homemade Sloppy Joes with rich, saucy ground beef and flavorful spices, featuring a perfect balance of tangy ketchup, smoky paprika, and sweetness, served on soft hamburger buns for a classic comfort food meal.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 ½ pounds lean ground beef (90/10)

1 small sweet onion, diced

1 small green bell pepper, diced

2 tablespoons tomato paste

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon chili powder

⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 ½ cups beef stock

1 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon brown sugar

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
  2. Add diced onion and green bell pepper to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Stir in tomato paste, minced garlic, smoked paprika, chili powder, and cayenne pepper. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  4. Pour in beef stock, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet bottom.
  5. Stir in ketchup, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavors have melded, about 15-20 minutes.
  7. Serve immediately on hamburger buns.

Notes

Vegetarian: Substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils.

Spicier: Increase cayenne pepper or add chopped jalapeños.

Sweeter: Add more brown sugar or a splash of maple syrup.

Cheesy: Top sloppy joes with melted cheddar or pepper jack cheese.

Bun alternatives: Use slider buns, sandwich rolls, or serve over rice or mashed potatoes.

Store leftovers in airtight container refrigerated up to 4 days.

Freeze for up to 3 months; thaw overnight before reheating.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://chocolatecoveredamy.com/homemade-sloppy-joes/