The BEST Homemade Sloppy Joes

Step away from the canned sauce and give these homemade sloppy joes a try! They’re truly the best version of a childhood favorite!

Ingredients

  • ▢1 Tbsp butter
  • ▢1 tsp olive oil
  • ▢1 lb. ground beef
  • ▢1/3 green bell pepper, minced
  • ▢1/2 large yellow onion, minced
  • ▢3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ▢1 Tbsp tomato paste
  • ▢2/3 cup ketchup
  • ▢1/3 cup water
  • ▢1 Tbsp brown sugar (or less, if you prefer)
  • ▢1 tsp yellow mustard
  • ▢3/4 tsp chili powder
  • ▢1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • ▢1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • ▢1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ▢1/4 tsp black pepper
  • ▢dash of hot sauce (optional)

Instructions

  • Heat butter and oil in large skillet over MED/MED-HIGH heat.  Add beef and brown, breaking apart into crumbles as it cooks, about 5 minutes.  Transfer to colander to drain.
  • Add onion and bell pepper to same skillet and cook 2-3 minutes, until soft.  Add garlic and cook 30 seconds or so, until fragrant.  Add beef back to the skillet and add tomato paste.  Stir well.
  • Add ketchup, water, brown sugar, mustard, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, red pepper flakes (if using), and black pepper.  Stir well to combine.
  • Cook over MED heat for 10-15 minutes, until mixture has thickened to your liking.  Remove from heat and serve over toasted buns.