Description
This Best Ever Sloppy Joes recipe delivers a hearty, flavorful sandwich made with lean ground beef, a medley of fresh vegetables, and a rich tomato-based sauce with a tangy twist from red wine or vinegar. Perfect for a comforting family meal, this classic American dish is easy to prepare and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef, 93% or 80% lean
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced (about 1/2 cup)
- 1/2 green bell pepper, diced (about 1/2 cup)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Sauce and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/4 cup red wine or red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add diced onion and bell peppers to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are somewhat softened.
- Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Incorporate Tomato Paste: Add the tomato paste and stir to combine. Cook until the paste turns dark reddish brown, approximately 2 minutes, enhancing the depth of flavor.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour in red wine or red wine vinegar to deglaze the skillet, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom to enrich the sauce.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Stir in Worcestershire sauce and ketchup. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5-10 minutes, allowing the mixture to thicken and flavors to meld.
- Season and Serve: Remove from heat, adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot on your favorite bread or buns, garnished with fresh chopped parsley for a vibrant finish.
Notes
- For a leaner option, use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
- Red wine vinegar provides a tangier flavor than red wine and can be substituted depending on preference or availability.
- Drain excess fat well after browning to avoid a greasy sauce.
- Serve on toasted buns for added texture and flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Sautéing and simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich (with 1/4 of recipe plus bun)
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: Sloppy Joes, ground beef sandwich, quick dinner, American comfort food, easy sloppy joe recipe
