Emily’s Famous Sloppy Joes: A Deliciously Messy Classic!
Sloppy Joes are a timeless comfort food classic, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, a casual weekend gathering, or even a fun potluck dish. They’re easy to make, endlessly customizable, and universally loved (especially by kids!). But not all Sloppy Joes are created equal. Today, I’m sharing Emily’s Famous Sloppy Joes recipe – a recipe passed down through generations in my family and perfected over years of tweaking. This isn’t your average canned-sauce Sloppy Joe; this is a flavor-packed, homemade delight that will have everyone asking for seconds (and the recipe!).
This recipe features a rich, savory sauce with a hint of sweetness and a subtle kick of spice, all complementing perfectly browned ground beef. The secret lies in the combination of high-quality ingredients and a patient simmering process that allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. Get ready to ditch the store-bought stuff and embrace the messy, delicious world of homemade Sloppy Joes!
## Why Emily’s Sloppy Joes are the Best:
* **Homemade Sauce:** No more relying on bland, overly sweet canned sauces. This recipe allows you to control the ingredients and create a depth of flavor that pre-made sauces simply can’t match.
* **Perfectly Balanced Flavors:** The sauce is a harmonious blend of savory, sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy, creating a complex and satisfying taste.
* **Customizable:** This recipe is a fantastic base for experimentation. Feel free to adjust the spices, add different vegetables, or even incorporate a little bit of your favorite BBQ sauce.
* **Easy to Make:** Despite its impressive flavor profile, this recipe is surprisingly simple to put together. Most of the ingredients are pantry staples, and the cooking process is straightforward.
* **Crowd-Pleasing:** Whether you’re feeding a family of four or hosting a larger gathering, Emily’s Sloppy Joes are always a hit.
## Ingredients You’ll Need:
* **Ground Beef:** 2 pounds of lean ground beef (80/20 or 85/15 is ideal). Using leaner ground beef will minimize the amount of grease you need to drain.
* **Onion:** 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped. The onion adds sweetness and depth to the sauce.
* **Green Bell Pepper:** 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped. The bell pepper adds a subtle vegetal note and a pop of color.
* **Garlic:** 3-4 cloves of garlic, minced. Garlic is essential for adding a pungent and savory flavor.
* **Tomato Paste:** 6 ounces. Tomato paste provides a concentrated tomato flavor and helps to thicken the sauce.
* **Ketchup:** 1 cup. Ketchup adds sweetness, tanginess, and a familiar Sloppy Joe flavor.
* **Worcestershire Sauce:** 2 tablespoons. Worcestershire sauce adds a savory umami flavor that is crucial to the depth of the sauce.
* **Brown Sugar:** 2 tablespoons, packed. Brown sugar adds sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor.
* **Yellow Mustard:** 1 tablespoon. Yellow mustard adds tanginess and a subtle spicy note.
* **Apple Cider Vinegar:** 1 tablespoon. Apple cider vinegar adds brightness and acidity to balance the sweetness.
* **Chili Powder:** 1 teaspoon. Chili powder adds a mild heat and a complex blend of spices.
* **Smoked Paprika:** ½ teaspoon. Smoked paprika adds a smoky depth of flavor.
* **Garlic Powder:** ½ teaspoon. Garlic powder enhances the garlic flavor in the sauce.
* **Onion Powder:** ½ teaspoon. Onion powder enhances the onion flavor in the sauce.
* **Salt:** 1 teaspoon, or to taste. Salt enhances all the flavors in the sauce.
* **Black Pepper:** ½ teaspoon, or to taste. Black pepper adds a touch of spice.
* **Hamburger Buns:** 8-10 hamburger buns, preferably toasted. Choose your favorite type of bun – brioche, sesame seed, or even pretzel buns work well.
* **Optional Toppings:** Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack), sliced pickles, coleslaw, sliced onions, hot sauce.
## Equipment You’ll Need:
* Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
* Wooden Spoon or Spatula
* Measuring Cups and Spoons
* Cutting Board
* Knife
## Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. **Prepare the Vegetables:** Finely chop the onion and green bell pepper. Mince the garlic.
2. **Brown the Ground Beef:** In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon or spatula as it cooks. Cook until the beef is no longer pink.
3. **Drain the Excess Grease:** Carefully drain off any excess grease from the skillet. This is important for preventing the Sloppy Joes from being too greasy.
4. **Sauté the Vegetables:** Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
5. **Add the Garlic:** Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
6. **Add the Remaining Ingredients:** Stir in the tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.
7. **Simmer the Sauce:** Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour. The longer the sauce simmers, the more the flavors will meld together and deepen. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
8. **Taste and Adjust Seasoning:** After simmering, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, brown sugar, or chili powder to suit your taste.
9. **Serve:** Spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture onto toasted hamburger buns. Top with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, sliced pickles, or coleslaw.
## Tips for Perfect Sloppy Joes:
* **Don’t Overcook the Ground Beef:** Overcooked ground beef will be dry and tough. Cook it just until it’s no longer pink.
* **Chop the Vegetables Finely:** Finely chopped vegetables will cook more evenly and blend seamlessly into the sauce.
* **Simmer the Sauce for a Long Time:** Simmering the sauce for a longer period of time allows the flavors to meld together and deepen. Don’t rush this step!
* **Toast the Buns:** Toasting the buns will prevent them from becoming soggy from the sauce.
* **Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment:** This recipe is a great starting point, but feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to create your own signature Sloppy Joes.
## Variations and Add-Ins:
* **Add a Kick of Heat:** For spicier Sloppy Joes, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce.
* **Incorporate Different Vegetables:** Try adding diced celery, carrots, or mushrooms to the sauce for extra flavor and nutrients.
* **Add BBQ Sauce:** For a smoky and tangy flavor, add a few tablespoons of your favorite BBQ sauce to the sauce.
* **Use Different Ground Meat:** You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or even ground pork.
* **Make it Vegetarian:** Use a plant-based ground meat substitute or a mixture of lentils and chopped vegetables for a vegetarian version.
* **Add Cheese Directly to the Sauce:** Stir in shredded cheddar cheese during the last 5 minutes of simmering for extra cheesiness.
* **Make it in a slow cooker:** Brown the beef, onion, and green pepper. Place all ingredients into a slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
## Serving Suggestions:
Emily’s Famous Sloppy Joes are delicious on their own, but they’re even better when served with a side dish or two. Here are a few of my favorite serving suggestions:
* **Coleslaw:** The cool, creamy coleslaw provides a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory Sloppy Joes.
* **Potato Salad:** A classic side dish that pairs perfectly with Sloppy Joes.
* **Macaroni and Cheese:** A comfort food favorite that kids (and adults!) will love.
* **French Fries:** Crispy, salty French fries are always a crowd-pleaser.
* **Tater Tots:** Another fun and easy side dish that kids will enjoy.
* **Corn on the Cob:** A simple and seasonal side dish that’s perfect for summer.
* **Green Salad:** A light and refreshing salad to balance out the richness of the Sloppy Joes.
* **Pickles:** Serve with dill pickle spears or pickle chips.
## Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions:
* **Make-Ahead:** The Sloppy Joe mixture can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently over low heat before serving.
* **Storage:** Leftover Sloppy Joe mixture can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
## Emily’s Famous Sloppy Joes Recipe:
**Yields:** 8-10 servings
**Prep Time:** 15 minutes
**Cook Time:** 45 minutes
**Ingredients:**
* 2 pounds lean ground beef
* 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
* 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
* 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
* 6 ounces tomato paste
* 1 cup ketchup
* 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
* 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
* 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
* 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
* 1 teaspoon chili powder
* ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
* ½ teaspoon garlic powder
* ½ teaspoon onion powder
* 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
* ½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
* 8-10 hamburger buns
* Optional toppings: Shredded cheese, sliced pickles, coleslaw, sliced onions, hot sauce
**Instructions:**
1. Prepare the vegetables: Finely chop the onion and green bell pepper. Mince the garlic.
2. Brown the ground beef: In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon or spatula as it cooks. Cook until the beef is no longer pink.
3. Drain the excess grease: Carefully drain off any excess grease from the skillet.
4. Sauté the vegetables: Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Add the garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
6. Add the remaining ingredients: Stir in the tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.
7. Simmer the sauce: Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning: After simmering, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, brown sugar, or chili powder to suit your taste.
9. Serve: Spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture onto toasted hamburger buns. Top with your favorite toppings.
Enjoy your Emily’s Famous Sloppy Joes! They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a perfect comfort food meal for any occasion.