Q1: What is the difference between Homemade Sloppy Joes and Manwich?

Manwich is the brand name of a popular, pre-made, canned sloppy joe sauce. While it's a convenient shortcut, a homemade sloppy joe , like this recipe, is made from scratch using individual ingredients like ketchup, brown sugar, and spices. The result of making it from scratch is a much richer, deeper, and more balanced flavor, without the preservatives or high-fructose corn syrup often found in the canned variety.

Q2: How do I make my sloppy joe sauce thicker if it's too runny?

The 30- to 45-minute simmer time in this recipe is designed to naturally thicken the sauce to the perfect consistency. If, for some reason, your sauce is still too thin for your liking, you can create a simple "cornstarch slurry." Just mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until it is completely smooth, and then stir this mixture into the simmering sauce. Let it cook for another minute or two, and it will thicken up beautifully.

Q3: Can I make this sloppy joe recipe in a slow cooker?

Yes, this is a fantastic recipe for the slow cooker! Simply follow the first step of browning the beef and sautéing the vegetables on the stovetop first, as this builds a crucial layer of flavor. Then, transfer the cooked meat and vegetable mixture to your slow cooker and stir in all the remaining sauce ingredients. Cook on Low for 4-6 hours or on High for 2-3 hours .

Q4: What are the best buns to use for sloppy joes?

You want a bun that is soft but also sturdy enough to hold up to the saucy filling. Classic, soft hamburger buns are the traditional choice. Brioche buns are also a fantastic, slightly richer option. A sturdy potato roll is another great choice. No matter which you choose, always be sure to toast the buns before serving!

Q5: Why does the recipe start the beef and onions in a cold skillet?

This is a brilliant technique often used by Chef John. By starting the ground beef and the onions together in a cold pan and then bringing them up to temperature, the fat in the beef has time to render out slowly . This allows the onions to soften and sweeten gently in the flavorful beef fat as it heats up, rather than potentially burning in a preheated hot pan before the beef has had a chance to brown.

The Best Easy Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe (Classic!)

A from-scratch recipe for classic, savory Sloppy Joes. The dish is made in a single skillet, starting by browning extra lean ground beef with onion, garlic, and green bell pepper. A sweet and tangy sauce is then created with ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. The entire mixture is simmered for 30 to 45 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld into a rich filling, perfect for serving on hamburger buns.

Author: Grace
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Sautéing, Simmering
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

1 ½ pounds extra lean ground beef
½ onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 cups water
¾ cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 dash Worcestershire sauce
1 ½ teaspoons salt, or to taste
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste

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Instructions

Combine the ground beef and onion in a cold skillet. Place the skillet on a burner and turn the heat to medium. Cook and stir until the beef is crumbly and browned.
Stir in the minced garlic and diced bell pepper. Continue cooking and stirring for 2 to 3 more minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
Pour in 2 cups of water. Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture becomes very thick, about 30 to 45 minutes.
Adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Season with cayenne pepper to taste.
Serve hot on hamburger buns.

Notes

This recipe uses a unique technique of starting the ground beef and onion in a cold skillet, which helps to render the fat slowly.
The long simmer time of 30-45 minutes is a crucial step that allows the sauce to thicken and the flavors to develop deeply.
The heat level can be adjusted by adding more or less cayenne pepper at the end.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (filling only)
Calories: 300-380
Sugar: 12-18 g
Sodium: 800-1000 mg
Fat: 15-20 g
Saturated Fat: 6-9 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 15-20 g
Fiber: 2-3 g
Protein: 25-30 g
Cholesterol: 80-100 mg

Find it online: https://www.eatswithsoul.com/sloppy-joes-recipe/