Description
This Sweet and Tangy Homemade Sloppy Joes recipe features a savory blend of ground beef or turkey cooked with onions, bell peppers, and a flavorful sauce made from ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and mustard. A perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess makes this classic American comfort food easy to prepare and delicious to enjoy on soft hamburger buns.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 bell pepper, finely chopped (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 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
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for cooking)
- 4 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Brown the 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 browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped onion and bell pepper (if using) to the skillet. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
- Mix Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper into the skillet.
- Simmer the Mixture: Let the mixture simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. If it becomes too thick, add a splash of water to loosen it.
- Adjust Seasonings: Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper if necessary.
- Serve: Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto hamburger buns and serve warm. Enjoy your classic homemade sloppy joes!
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner version.
- Bell pepper is optional but adds a nice crunch and extra flavor.
- If you prefer a spicier sloppy joe, consider adding a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper.
- Use fresh hamburger buns that are soft and slightly toasted for best texture.
- Adjust the sweetness and tanginess by altering the amount of brown sugar and vinegar according to your taste.
