Classic Sloppy Joes

This classic sloppy joes recipe is not only simple to make and on the table within 30 minutes, but it’s also a satisfying and delicious meal. 

I’ve had some ground beef & hamburger buns that needed to be used up and instead of making burgers, I made these classic sloppy joes. I had recently watched an episode of America’s Test Kitchen for these sloppy joes and I couldn’t wait to give their recipe a try. It was a fun & easy recipe to make and my husband and I both thought these sloppy joes were super tasty.  I really appreciated that they weren’t overly sweet!

Classic Sloppy Joes

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp water, divided
• 1/2 tsp + 1/8 tsp baking soda, divided
• 1 lb  85 or 90 percent lean ground beef
• 1/2 tsp + 1/8 tsp kosher salt, divided
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 yellow onion, diced fine
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1-2 tsp brown sugar, to taste
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, plus extra for seasoning
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp cornstarch
• 4 hamburger buns

How to Make Classic Sloppy Joes

Combine 1 tablespoon of water with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and mix well. Place the ground beef in a bowl and drizzle the mixture on top of the meat then season with 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt; mix until combined; set aside.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the onion and remaining 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon of kosher salt. Cook, stirring often, for 3-4 minutes, or until very tender. Side Note: The baking soda helps break down the onion and cook quickly. 

Add the garlic, paprika, brown sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes and cook, stirring constantly for 30 seconds.

Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes.

Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up as it cooks, for 5 minutes.

Add the ketchup, red wine vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce and stir until evenly combined. Taste and season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste and add more vinegar or sugar, if desired.

Combine 1 tablespoon of water with the 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch until well combined. Add to the meat and cook, stirring often, for 1 minute, until it thickens everything up.

Remove from heat and spoon mixture onto hamburger buns. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Classic Sloppy Joes

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Course: Lunch, Main

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4

Author: Pam - For the Love of Cooking / Original by America's Test Kitchen

Equipment

• Large skillet

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp water, divided
• ½ tsp + 1/8 tsp baking soda, divided
• 1 lb 85 or 90 percent lean ground beef
• ½ tsp + 1/8 tsp kosher salt, divided
• 2 tsp olive oil
• ½ yellow onion diced fine
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1-2 tsp brown sugar to taste
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• ⅓ cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar plus extra for seasoning
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp cornstarch
• 4 hamburger buns

Instructions

• Combine 1 tablespoon of water with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and mix well. Place the ground beef in a bowl and drizzle the mixture on top of the meat then season with 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt; mix until combined; set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the onion and remaining 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon of kosher salt. Cook, stirring often, for 3-4 minutes, or until very tender. Side Note: The baking soda helps break down the onion and cook quickly.
• Add the garlic, paprika, brown sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes and cook, stirring constantly for 30 seconds.
• Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes.
• Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up as it cooks, for 5 minutes.
• Add the ketchup, red wine vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce and stir until evenly combined. Taste and season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste and add more vinegar or sugar, if desired.
• Combine remaining 1 tablespoon of water with the 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch until well combined. Add to the meat and cook, stirring often, for 1 minute, until it thickens everything up.
• Remove from heat and spoon mixture onto hamburger buns. Serve immediately and enjoy.

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