Description
Enjoy this classic Sweet and Tangy Homemade Sloppy Joes recipe featuring a flavorful blend of ground beef or turkey cooked with onions, bell peppers, and a zesty sauce made of ketchup, brown sugar, and spices. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 bell pepper, finely chopped (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon mustard (yellow or Dijon)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Others
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for cooking)
- 4 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Cook Meat: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef or turkey and cook, breaking it up into crumbles, until it is browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the finely chopped onion and bell pepper (if using) to the skillet. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute, allowing the aroma to develop.
- Mix Sauce Ingredients: Add ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer Sauce: Reduce heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Add a splash of water if the mixture becomes too thick.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sloppy joe mixture and adjust seasonings if needed for balance of sweetness, tanginess, and saltiness.
- Serve: Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto toasted hamburger buns and serve immediately for a delicious and hearty meal.
Notes
- Ground turkey can be used as a leaner alternative to ground beef.
- Bell pepper is optional but adds a nice crunch and flavor.
- Adjust the brown sugar quantity to make it more or less sweet according to your taste.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
- To keep buns from getting soggy, toast them lightly before serving.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
