Ground Beef Sloppy Joes Five Flavor Variations
Classic sloppy joes made with lean ground beef, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire sauce, plus four international variations: Southwest with salsa and black beans, Hawaiian with pineapple and barbecue sauce, Moroccan with raisins and spices, and Asian with ginger and hoisin. Serve on buns or specialty breads with desired toppings.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef, 93% lean or leaner
- 1 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup bell pepper, green, red or yellow, finely chopped
- 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce, no salt added
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4 hamburger buns, split, warmedslider buns or dinner rollsvariesno change
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- dill pickle slices(optional)
- coleslaw(optional)
- American or Cheddar cheese slices(optional)
- 2 cup salsa, for Southwest variation(optional)
- ½ cup canned black beans, drained, for Southwest variation(optional)
- ½ cup frozen corn, for Southwest variation(optional)
- taco shells, warmed, for Southwest variation(optional)
- shredded lettuce, for Southwest variation(optional)
- tomato, chopped, for Southwest variation(optional)
- pepper-Jack cheese, shredded, for Southwest variation(optional)
- avocado, chopped, for Southwest variation(optional)
- jalapeno, pickled or fresh, sliced, for Southwest variation(optional)
- cilantro, chopped, for Southwest variation(optional)
- ½ cup barbecue sauce, sweet, for Hawaiian variation(optional)
- 1 8 ounce can pineapple, crushed in juice, undrained, for Hawaiian variation(optional)
- Hawaiian honey wheat dinner rolls, small, sweet, warmed, for Hawaiian variation(optional)
- dill pickle slices, for Hawaiian variation(optional)
- ½ cup raisins(optional)
- 2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, for Moroccan variation(optional)
- 1 teaspoon cumin, ground, for Moroccan variation(optional)
- 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt, nonfat, for Moroccan variation(optional)
- naan or pita pocket breads, for Moroccan variation(optional)
- cucumber, sliced, for Moroccan variation(optional)
- pistachios, chopped, for Moroccan variation(optional)
- 1 tablespoon ginger, ground, for Asian variation(optional)
- 2 tablespoon hoisin, for Asian variation(optional)
- crusty rolls, warm, for Asian variation(optional)
- carrot, shredded, for Asian variation(optional)
- green onion, chopped, for Asian variation(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot.
- 2
Add ground beef, onion and bell pepper; cook, breaking beef into small crumbles and stirring occasionally, until beef is cooked through.
- 3
Pour off drippings as necessary.
- 4
Stir in tomato sauce, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce.
- 5
Bring to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens.
- 6
Season with salt as desired.
- 7
Divide beef mixture evenly onto warmed rolls.
- 8
Garnish with dill pickle slices, coleslaw and cheese slices if desired.
- 9
For Southwest variation: substitute salsa for tomato sauce, omit Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar, add black beans and corn, and serve in taco shells with lettuce, tomato, pepper-Jack cheese, avocado and jalapeno slices.
- 10
For Hawaiian variation: substitute barbecue sauce for tomato sauce, omit Worcestershire sauce, add undrained crushed pineapple, and serve in sweet Hawaiian honey wheat rolls with pickle or jalapeno slices.
- 11
For Moroccan variation: omit Worcestershire sauce, add raisins, pumpkin pie spice and cumin, remove from heat and stir in Greek yogurt, and serve in naan or pita with cucumber, yogurt and pistachios.
- 12
For Asian variation: add ground ginger with beef, substitute hoisin for Worcestershire sauce, and serve in crusty rolls with cucumber, carrot and cilantro or green onion.
Tips
Break ground beef into small crumbles while cooking for even texture and faster cooking time.
Pour off drippings to control fat content in the finished dish.
Good to Know
Refrigerate cooled beef mixture in airtight container for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Prepare beef mixture through step 6 up to 2 days ahead; reheat gently before serving.
Serve warm on toasted buns with desired toppings and garnishes.
Common Mistakes
Do not overcook beef to avoid tough, dry texture; break into crumbles and stir occasionally.
Do not skip pouring off drippings to avoid excessively greasy mixture.
Do not skip bringing sauce to boil and cooking to proper thickness to avoid watery consistency.
Substitutions
4
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