Sloppy Joes

Name: Sloppy Joes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb lean ground beef (80/20); 1 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 yellow onion, finely diced; 1 green bell pepper, finely diced; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 2/3 cup ketchup; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce; 2 tsp light brown sugar; 2 tsp yellow mustard; 1/2 cup beef broth; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 4 hamburger buns, toasted

A classic American diner sandwich of saucy, sweet-and-savory ground beef piled onto soft hamburger buns. Simple to make and always a crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

35 minEasyServes 4480 cal/serving

AmericanLunchStovetopStandardHigh ProteinNut-FreeAlcohol-Free

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Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef (80/20)
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 yellow onion, finely diced
1 green bell pepper, finely diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2/3 cup ketchup
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp light brown sugar
2 tsp yellow mustard
1/2 cup beef broth
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
4 hamburger buns, toasted

Instructions

1

Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 finely diced yellow onion and 1 finely diced green bell pepper and cook, stirring, until softened, about 4 minutes.
2

Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook 30 seconds. Push the vegetables to the side, add 1 lb lean ground beef (80/20) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
3

Stir in 2/3 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 tsp light brown sugar, 2 tsp yellow mustard, and 1/2 cup beef broth. Mix until fully combined.
4

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the meat, about 10 minutes. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper to taste.
5

Spoon the meat mixture generously onto 4 toasted hamburger buns and serve immediately.

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Questions

What is Sloppy Joes?

A classic American diner sandwich of saucy, sweet-and-savory ground beef piled onto soft hamburger buns. Simple to make and always a crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. This reference files it under American lunch: made on the stovetop, rated easy and about 35 minutes start to finish.

How do I know the sauce has reduced enough in Sloppy Joes?

Step 4 reads: "Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the meat, about 10 minutes." Go by step 4, and note that a wider pan gets there faster. The usual test is that the sauce coats the back of a spoon and a finger drawn through it leaves a clean line.

Is there a substitute for Worcestershire sauce in Sloppy Joes?

The entry for Sloppy Joes calls for 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce. In its place: Soy sauce with a few drops of vinegar and a pinch of sugar.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef in Sloppy Joes?

Yes. Choose turkey that is not extra-lean and add a tablespoon of oil to the pan, because turkey has less fat and browns more slowly. Season it a little harder than you would beef. As written, the entry for Sloppy Joes uses 1 lb lean ground beef (80/20).

Can I make Sloppy Joes gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Sloppy Joes is 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 4 hamburger buns, toasted. Swap the soy-based sauce for tamari or coconut aminos; the bread or crumbs for a gluten-free loaf or gluten-free panko. Everything else proceeds as written.

How much protein is in Sloppy Joes?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) has 40 g of protein in about 480 calories, alongside 39 g carbohydrate and 27 g fat, plus 3 g fiber and 418 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list. More like it: the high-protein lunch collection.

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