Description
Ina Garten’s sloppy joes deliver comforting American classic flavors with hearty ground beef and rich tomato sauce. Delicious weeknight meals welcome unexpected guests while satisfying hungry families with simple, satisfying ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- ⅔ cup (158 ml) ketchup
- ½ large yellow onion, minced
- ⅓ green bell pepper, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) brown sugar
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) tomato paste
- 1 tsp (5 ml) yellow mustard
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) Worcestershire sauce
- ¾ tsp (3.75 ml) chili powder
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) kosher salt
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) black pepper
- 1 dash hot sauce
- ⅓ cup (79 ml) water
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter
- 1 tsp (5 ml) olive oil
Instructions
- Searing Meat Preparation: Heat a skillet with butter and oil over medium-high flame until surface ripples with intense warmth, then introduce ground beef and methodically crumble while cooking until achieving a deep caramelized brown coloration.
- Vegetable Infusion: Drain excess beef fat, then utilize the same skillet to sauté diced onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic until vegetables become translucent and aromatic oils bloom intensely.
- Sauce Composition: Reintegrate browned beef into skillet, folding in tomato paste and creating a flavor foundation by incorporating ketchup, water, brown sugar, mustard, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.
- Flavor Melding: Gently simmer the robust mixture for 10-15 minutes, stirring periodically, allowing sauce to thicken and develop a glossy, concentrated consistency that melds all ingredients into a harmonious blend.
- Serving Technique: Generously ladle the saucy meat mixture atop perfectly toasted hamburger buns, creating a quintessential comfort food experience that balances rich, tangy, and slightly spicy flavor profiles.
Notes
- Drain Fat Thoroughly: Remove excess grease from beef to prevent a greasy, heavy texture and ensure a cleaner, more appetizing final dish.
- Build Flavor Layers: Sauté vegetables before adding meat to develop deep, complex taste profiles that elevate the classic Sloppy Joe.
- Simmer with Patience: Allow sauce to reduce and thicken, concentrating flavors and creating a perfect clingy consistency for maximum taste.
- Customize Heat Level: Adjust red pepper flakes or chili powder to match personal spice preferences, making the recipe adaptable for all palates.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg