MVP sloppy joes toasted buns (Printer-friendly)
Savory beef mixture with tangy tomato, piled on perfectly toasted buns for a satisfying meal.
# What you'll need:
→ Meat & Protein
01 - 1 lb lean ground beef
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 1 small green bell pepper, finely diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauce & Seasoning
06 - 1 cup tomato sauce
07 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
08 - 2 tbsp ketchup
09 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
10 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
11 - 1 tsp yellow mustard
12 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
14 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt
15 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
16 - 1/4 cup water
→ Serving
17 - 4 burger buns, split
18 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter
# Method:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until vegetables are soft.
03 - Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, pepper, and water. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
04 - Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens to a hearty consistency.
05 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Spread butter on the cut sides of the buns and toast, cut side down, until golden and crisp, 2–3 minutes.
06 - Spoon the sloppy joe mixture generously onto the toasted buns. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The toasted buns create a buttery barrier that keeps everything from getting soggy too fast
- This sauce strikes that magical equilibrium between tangy, sweet, and savory that everyone fights over
02 -
- The sauce needs those 10 minutes of simmering time to thicken properly, so do not rush this step or you will end up with soup
- Draining the excess fat after browning the beef prevents the final dish from being too greasy while still keeping enough flavor
03 -
- Finely dice the vegetables so they practically disappear into the sauce, which is the secret to getting picky eaters to actually eat them
- Let the mixture rest in the skillet for a couple of minutes off the heat before serving, it makes scooping and serving much less chaotic