Ancho BBQ Sloppy Joes with Roasted Gold Potatoes
These sloppy joes feature ground beef simmered in a smoky ancho chili BBQ sauce that brings depth and mild heat to the classic comfort food. The tangy beef mixture is piled high on toasted potato buns with crisp dill pickle slices, while golden roasted Yukon potatoes seasoned with fry seasoning make the perfect hearty side. The cornstarch-thickened sauce clings beautifully to the meat, creating a satisfying sandwich that's both familiar and exciting. Perfect for casual dinners, game day gatherings, or when you want comfort food with a flavorful twist.
Ingredients
- 12 ounce Yukon Gold Potatoes, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 1 unit Yellow Onion, halved, peeled, and diced
- 2 unit Potato Buns, halvedBrioche Buns1:1Medium
For richer flavor
- 2 tablespoon Ketchup
- 1 unit Beef Stock Concentrate
- 10 ounce Ground Beef
- 1 tablespoon Fry Seasoning
- 1 unit Sliced Dill Pickle
- 4 tablespoon BBQ Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Ancho Chili PowderChipotle Powder1:1High
For smokier heat
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Cooking Oil
Instructions
- 1
Adjust rack to top position and preheat oven to 450 degrees
- 2
Wash and dry produce
- 3
Slice potatoes into quarter-inch-thick rounds
- 4
Toss potatoes on baking sheet with oil, fry seasoning, salt, and pepper
- 5
Roast potatoes on top rack until lightly browned and tender
- 6
Halve, peel, and dice onion while potatoes roast
- 7
Halve buns
- 8
Combine BBQ sauce, ketchup, chili powder, stock concentrate, half the cornstarch, and water in small bowl
- 9
Heat oil in large pan over medium-high heat
- 10
Add onion and cook stirring until softened
- 11
Add beef and season with salt and pepper
- 12
Cook beef breaking up meat into pieces until browned
- 13
Add BBQ sauce mixture to pan with beef
- 14
Cook stirring until sauce has thickened and beef is cooked through
- 15
Taste and season with salt and pepper then turn off heat
- 16
Toast buns until golden brown while filling cooks
- 17
Fill buns with beef filling and sliced pickle
- 18
Serve sloppy joes with potatoes and remaining pickle on the side
Tips
For thicker sauce, use all the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water when making larger portions.
Toast buns cut-side down in a dry pan for extra crispness and flavor.
Let the beef mixture rest for 2-3 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Good to Know
Store leftover beef mixture in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store roasted potatoes separately for up to 4 days.
Beef mixture can be made up to 2 days ahead and reheated. Potatoes best served fresh but can be reheated in oven.
Serve immediately while buns are warm and potatoes are crispy. Provide extra pickles and napkins.
Common Mistakes
Don't overcook the beef initially as it will finish cooking in the sauce to avoid dryness.
Toast buns just before serving to avoid sogginess from the sauce.
Substitutions
FAQ
Can I make this ahead for meal prep?
Yes, the beef mixture stores well for 3 days refrigerated. Reheat gently and toast fresh buns when ready to serve for best results.
What if I don't have ancho chili powder?
Substitute with chipotle powder for smokiness, regular chili powder for mild heat, or paprika plus cayenne for similar flavor depth.
How long will leftover potatoes keep?
Roasted potatoes keep 4 days refrigerated. Reheat in 400°F oven for 8-10 minutes to restore crispiness rather than microwaving.