Smoky Sloppy Joe

This recipe is ground beef simmered in a tomato sauce made tangy with a condiment concoction between a bun for the ultimate sandwich.

Prep Time5

Cook Time20

Total Time25

Course: lunch

Cuisine: American

Keyword: sloppy joes

Servings: people

Heat the oil in a large pan, then add the chopped onions and sauté over low heat for 7-10 minutes, then add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds longer.
Now push the sautéed onions and garlic to one side of the pan to free up some space and bring the ground beef to the pan. Brown it over medium heat while breaking it up with a wooden spoon or a spatula until cooked all the way through and is no longer pink inside.
Add the canned crushed tomatoes, ketchup,( brown sugar if using), Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard and smoked paprika, stir to combine, bring to a simmer and simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes or until the half of the liquid evaporated and if you drag a wooden spoon through the pan, it leaves a trail that doesn’t fill up with the liquid immediately.
Split the hamburger buns and toast them, then fill with the beef mixture and serve.

Ground turkey can be used in place of beef. Or for a vegetarian version, try lentils. Both options give you a lighter, lower fat dish.
For a Mexican punch, serve with salsa.
I’ve made these sloppy joes smoky by using smoked paprika for a sweet and earthy undertone. For a more potent version, try spicy cayenne.
Despite the name, it’s best not to make the meat mixture too sloppy. If the meat is too wet, it’ll soak right through the buns.
Another way to keep the buns from disintegrating is to toast them first!