Ingredients
Main 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
- Heat the oil and brown the beef: Heat vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, breaking up the meat into small pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add the diced onion and green bell pepper to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and translucent, around 3-4 minutes.
- Add spices and tomato paste: Stir in the tomato paste, minced garlic, smoked paprika, chili powder, and cayenne pepper. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, allowing the spices to bloom.
- Deglaze with beef stock: Pour in the beef stock, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet to incorporate deep flavor into the sauce.
- Add sauces and seasoning: Stir in the ketchup, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Simmer until thickened: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld together, about 15-20 minutes.
- Serve immediately: Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto hamburger buns and serve warm for a comforting, hearty meal.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef (90/10) to reduce excess grease but retain flavor.
- For extra smoky flavor, consider using smoked paprika and a splash of liquid smoke.
- If you prefer a spicier sloppy joe, increase the cayenne pepper slightly or add hot sauce to taste.
- This mixture pairs well with classic hamburger buns or slider rolls for smaller portions.
- Leftovers can be stored airtight in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- You can also freeze the cooked mixture for up to 3 months; thaw overnight before reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American