Sloppy Joes

 

There’s something undeniably comforting and nostalgic about a classic Sloppy Joe sandwich. Growing up, I remember enjoying them both at school and at home during busy weeknights—always accompanied by those memorable “Manwich” commercials promising a quicker, tastier way to prepare them.

The origins of this humble sandwich are a bit murky, with some tracing its roots to loose meat or tavern-style sandwiches. These simpler versions, which emerged in Sioux City, Iowa in the 1930s, resemble Sloppy Joes but skip the tomato-based sauce, relying instead on seasoned ground beef served on a bun.

The traditional Sloppy Joe recipe is straightforward: ground beef, onions, and green bell peppers simmered in a tangy tomato sauce. For my version, I’m making a couple of flavorful swaps. Instead of green bell pepper, I use a can of diced green chilis to add a subtle kick. And rather than ketchup—which tends to be high in sugar—I opt for plain tomato sauce. This not only gives you more control over the sweetness but also lets the savory ingredients shine through.

Ingredients: 

1 lb of 80/20 ground beef

6 oz of chopped onion (half a big onion)

1 minced clove of garlic

4 oz can of diced green chilis 

1 tsp Kosher salt

1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 

1 Tbsp brown sugar

1 Tbsp Worcestershire

1 Tbsp yellow mustard

1 Tbsp tomato paste

1 8 oz can of tomato sauce 

1 cup of water 

Directions 

Brown ground beef. Drain off some of the fat.  

Add the onion and the garlic to the beef. Sauté the onion until it becomes soft and translucent. 

Add the green chilis. 

Add the salt, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire, yellow mustard, and tomato paste. Mix in the ingredients until they are incorporated into the beef mixture. 

Add the tomato sauce and water to the pan. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes until the liquid has reduced.

When it is finished, it will have a thick sauce consistency. If it still has too much liquid, remove the lid and simmer for an additional few minutes. This is how it will look when finished. 

Add to a soft bun. 

The leftovers are versatile. Add the leftover sloppy joe mixture to a small casserole dish with an egg and cheese to make sloppy joe baked eggs.

Happy eating!