Homemade Sloppy Joes
These homemade sloppy joes are made with ground beef, onion, pepper, and ketchup. A thick and rich filling makes these iconic sandwiches easy to eat.
- 70 min
- Serves 6
- 12 ingredients
Steps
- Gather all ingredients.
- Place ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir until beef is browned and crumbled, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in green pepper and garlic; cook and stir until softened, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add 1 cup water and stir, scraping the pan to dissolve any brown flavor bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Stir in ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Add remaining 1 cup water and bring mixture to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid has evaporated and mixture is thick, about 40 minutes.
- Season with salt, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and cayenne pepper. Serve and enjoy!
Frequently asked questions
Why does this recipe add water and then cook it off?
It is what builds the flavour. The first cup lifts the browned bits off the pan, and the second gives the mixture time to simmer for 40 minutes rather than just heating through, which is what concentrates the ketchup, sugar and Worcestershire into something thick and savoury.
Can I speed up the 40 minute simmer?
Only by using less water, and you lose something for it. The long reduction is what separates this from a sloppy joe that is just browned beef stirred into ketchup. If you are short of time, add one cup of water instead of two and simmer until it is thick.
Can I use regular ground beef instead of extra-lean?
Yes, but drain the fat after browning. This recipe uses extra-lean because nothing here removes rendered fat, and a fattier mince would leave the finished mixture greasy after such a long simmer.
Why are my sloppy joes still runny?
They have not reduced far enough. Leave the pan uncovered and keep going until the liquid has genuinely evaporated and the mixture mounds on a spoon. Two cups of water take a while to cook away, which is why the method allows 40 minutes.
Can I make sloppy joes ahead or freeze them?
Both work well, and the flavour improves overnight. Refrigerate promptly and reheat gently, adding a splash of water if it has tightened. It also freezes cleanly, since there is no dairy in it to separate.
What do I serve this sloppy joe filling on?
Soft hamburger buns are the usual choice, though the recipe makes the filling only and lists no bread. Toast the cut sides first, and it works just as well over a baked potato or rice if you want it without a bun.