American
Classic Sloppy Joe's
A mid-century American icon that still delivers — saucy, savory, satisfying.
Recipe by Cyman Huang
Cooked, styled and photographed in his kitchen.
The Sloppy Joe has a contested history — various towns and diners claim to have invented it — but its mid-20th century rise in school cafeterias, church basements and family kitchens across America is undeniable.
The secret to a great Sloppy Joe is patience: let the sauce cook down until it is thick, caramelized and deeply savory. A thin, watery Sloppy Joe is a tragedy.
Watch it come together
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs 80/20 ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp neutral oil
- 6 soft hamburger buns, toasted
Method
- 1
Heat oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking into small pieces, until deeply browned, about 8–10 minutes. Let it sit and brown rather than stirring constantly. Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon.
- 2
Add onion and bell pepper and cook until softened and beginning to caramelize, 6–8 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- 3
Add tomato paste and stir to coat. Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the paste darkens slightly.
- 4
Add tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire, brown sugar, mustard, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
- 5
Reduce to medium-low and simmer uncovered 15–20 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and coats the beef rather than pooling around it. Taste and adjust.
- 6
Pile generously onto toasted buns. Serve with pickles, coleslaw or both.
Substitutions
- Chef's Tip: Make this a day ahead. Like chili, Sloppy Joes are dramatically better after a night in the refrigerator. Reheat gently with a splash of water if needed.
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