Sloppy Joes

American · Sandwich · 25 min · Serves 4

Sloppy Joes are a nostalgic favorite that kids and adults alike can't resist—messy, satisfying, and on the table in under 30 minutes. This homemade version beats the canned stuff by miles, with a tangy-sweet sauce that tastes like real tomatoes and spices, not sugar overload.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbsground beef
• 1 mediumonion, diced
• 1bell pepper, diced
• 2garlic cloves, minced
• 3/4 cupketchup
• 2 tbsptomato paste
• 2 tbspapple cider vinegar
• 1 tbspbrown sugar
• 1 tbspWorcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tspmustard powder
• to tastesalt and pepper
• 4hamburger buns

Method

1. 1

   Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and no pink remains.

   8 min

2. 2

   Drain off most of the fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan. Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic, and stir until softened.

   4 min

3. 3

   Stir in the ketchup, tomato paste, vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard powder. Mix well to combine.

4. 4

   Simmer over medium-low heat for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and flavors meld.

   6 min

5. 5

   Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

6. 6

   Lightly toast the hamburger buns if you like, then generously pile the meat mixture onto each bun and serve immediately.