How to Make Sloppy Joes - Food Wishes

Start with a cold sauté pan and add 1.5 pounds of extra lean beef.

Turn the heat to medium and begin cooking and crumbling the beef.

Continue stirring and mashing the beef until it is completely crumbled down into small bits.

Add 1/2 diced onion to the pan and stir.

Add 2-3 cloves of minced fresh garlic and stir.

Add 1 diced green bell pepper and sauté for another 2-3 minutes.

Add 1 cup of water to deglaze the pan, scraping up any meat juices.

Stir in 1 cup of ketchup, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of mustard, and 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce.

Season with black pepper and salt to taste.

Add one more cup of water and bring the mixture to a simmer.

Turn the heat to low and simmer until the water evaporates and you have a thick beef paste, about 30-45 minutes.

Taste and adjust seasoning, adding salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper if desired.

Check the consistency; the mixture should stand up on a spatula when lifted.

Serve the sloppy joe mixture on hamburger buns, optionally topped with sesame seeds, alongside tater tots.

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: