Sloppy Joes Toasted Buns Pickles (Printable version)
Saucy ground beef and tangy pickles on toasted buns for a satisfying meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meat & Protein
01 - 1 lb ground beef, 85% lean recommended
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauce
05 - 1 cup tomato sauce
06 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
07 - 2 tbsp ketchup
08 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 tbsp yellow mustard
10 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
11 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/4 tsp chili powder
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
→ Buns & Toppings
14 - 4 burger buns, split and toasted
15 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, for toasting
16 - 1 cup sliced dill pickles
# Directions:
01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and no longer pink, about 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, 3 to 4 minutes.
03 - Pour in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is well combined.
04 - Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened nicely.
05 - While the meat mixture simmers, butter the cut sides of the burger buns. Toast them in a clean skillet or on a baking sheet until golden brown and crispy.
06 - Pile the sloppy joe mixture generously onto the bottom halves of the toasted buns. Top with sliced dill pickles and cover with the bun tops. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- The homemade sauce puts that canned stuff to shame with layers of tangy, sweet, and savory flavor
- Everything happens in one skillet, meaning less cleanup and more time for eating
02 -
- The sauce needs those few minutes of simmering to thicken properly, otherwise it will slide right off your bun
- Draining too much fat from the beef leaves the mixture dry, so reserve a little for flavor
03 -
- Finely chopping your vegetables ensures they incorporate seamlessly into the sauce
- Letting the meat brown without stirring too often creates those tasty caramelized bits