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Sloppy Joe

By: Cindy Lam Lorimer
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 5
This classic Sloppy Joe recipe is my nostalgic take on an American comfort food favorite. Made with tender ground beef, bold seasonings, and a rich tangy-sweet sauce, it’s the perfect throwback meal served on toasted brioche buns with pickles.

Ingredients

Marinade:  

  • 2 lbs ground beef, preferably ribeye
  • ½ Tbsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp red chili flakes

Ingredients: 

  • ¼ cup avocado oil , or any neutral cooking oil
  • 1 pinch kosher salt
  • 1 Tbsp garlic, chopped
  • 1 whole onion, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp tomato paste
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 Tbsp yellow mustard
  • 2 Tbsp mushroom powder
  • 3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp fish sauce
  • 1 Tbsp pickle brine
  • 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • ½ cups beef broth
  • hamburger buns, preferably brioche buns, lightly toasted

Instructions

  • Mix the marinade ingredients with the ground beef and set aside.
  • Prepare the rest of the ingredients.
  • Heat a large skillet over high heat and add 1/4 cup of the cooking oil. Add the marinated beef and let it sit undisturbed for about 2 minutes so it browns. Break it up with a spatula and cook for another 3 minutes until the meat develops good caramelization. Remove the beef from the skillet, along with all of its juices, and set beef aside. 
  • In the same pan, add more cooking oil and add the chopped onion, garlic, celery, bell pepper and a pinch of salt. Sauté for about 4 minutes until softened. 
  • Push the vegetables slightly to the side of the pan. Add the tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, mushroom powder, red wine vinegar, fish sauce and pickle brine directly onto the pan, then mix everything together.  Cook for another minute then return the beef to the pan along with all of its juices.   
  • Mix everything together and cook for another minute.  
  • Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Increase the heat to medium high and cook for another 8-10 minutes so the sauce reduces further and becomes thick and glossy, coating the meat.
  • Add the unsalted butter and mix it into the beef until it melts.
  • Lightly toast brioche buns in. Fill with sloppy joe mixture and top with pickles or shredded cabbage or both.
  • Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 666kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 55g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 26g | Trans Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 147mg | Sodium: 1245mg | Potassium: 776mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1507IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 5mg