Dinner Done Right: Sloppy Joes Made Simple!

In honor of National Sloppy Joe day, I thought this week I would share my easy homemade sloppy joe recipe. These delicious homemade Sloppy Joes are super quick and easy to make. As an added bonus, they taste even better the next day thanks to the tomato-based sauce.

Before I share the delicious recipe I thought I would share a little history of how the Sloppy Joe came to be.

History of Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes are a classic American dish that has been enjoyed by people of all ages for many years. This sandwich is believed to have originated in the early 1900s and quickly became popular due to its delicious taste and easy preparation. The exact history of the Sloppy Joe is unclear, but there are several theories about how this iconic sandwich came to be.

One theory suggests that Sloppy Joes were first served in the cafeterias of schools and hospitals during the Great Depression era. These sandwiches were a cheap and filling meal option that could easily feed a large number of people. Another theory suggests that Sloppy Joes were popular among sailors who would enjoy them on their long voyages at sea. Regardless of their origins, Sloppy Joes remain one of America’s most beloved comfort foods.

Prep time:15 minutes
Cook time: 15-20 minutes
Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

• 1 T. extra virgin olive oil
• ½ medium white onion, finely chopped
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium green pepper, finely chopped
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1½ lbs. ground beef. I use my ground beef from Bravo Steaks.
• 1 15-oz. can of tomato sauce
• 1 T. tomato paste
• 2 T. Worcestershire sauce
• 1-2 T. brown sugar (adjust the amount depending on personal preference)
• ½ T. Dijon mustard
• 1 T. chili-garlic sauce*
• 4-6 Hamburger buns
• 2-3 T. unsalted butter melted

Serving Suggestions: Pickles, potato chips, French fries, and/or sweet potato fries

For easier cleanup, all ingredients are combined right in the skillet rather than using an extra bowl. However, the tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, and chili-garlic sauce can also be whisked together in a large bowl to ensure they are thoroughly blended before adding them to the skillet.

Note: Yellow mustard is the traditional choice for Sloppy Joes and can be used here in lieu of the Dijon mustard.

Directions:

• Heat olive oil in a large, high-sided skillet over medium heat. Add onion, minced garlic, and green pepper. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and stir to combine. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, or until the vegetables soften and start to develop some color.
• Add the ground beef and break it into small pieces with a spatula. Cook until the meat is thoroughly browned, approximately 5-6 minutes. Remove from heat and carefully drain any excess fat from the skillet.
• Tip: To prevent flare-ups, make sure no grease drips down the side of the skillet if cooking with gas heat.
• Return to heat and add tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, and chili garlic sauce. Season with additional salt and black pepper, if desired, and stir thoroughly to combine. Simmer, uncovered, until heated through, approximately 5-10 minutes.
• While the meat simmers, place the top oven rack in the second from the highest position and preheat the oven broiler to high. Open the hamburger buns and arrange them on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Brush each surface with the melted butter and place the baking sheet under the broiler for several minutes, rotating once halfway through, or until the buns are golden brown.
• Remove the baking sheet from the oven and spoon some warm meat sauce onto the bottom portion of each bun. Cover and serve immediately with your choice of sides. Enjoy!

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