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The Boat Shed Kitchen

Sloppy Joes Recipe

These Sloppy Joes are savory, slightly sweet, and full of bold flavor from garlic, onion, bell pepper, and spices. A ketchup-based sauce simmers down into a thick, saucy mix perfect for piling onto buns. It’s a quick, weeknight-friendly meal that hits every comfort food craving.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 sandwiches
Calories: 385
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1/3 green bell pepper minced
  • 1/2 large yellow onion minced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 2/3 cup ketchup
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar or less, if you prefer
  • 1 tsp yellow mustard
  • 3/4 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • Dash of hot sauce optional

Method
 

  1. Heat butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add beef and cook, breaking apart into crumbles, for about 5 minutes.
  3. Transfer to a colander to drain.
  4. Add onion and bell pepper to the same skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes.
  5. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  6. Add the drained beef back to the skillet and stir in tomato paste.
  7. See full steps with tips & photos → https://theboatshedcafe.com/sloppy-joes-recipe-2/

Notes

• You can adjust the brown sugar and hot sauce to balance sweetness and spice to your liking.
• Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease.
• Toasting the buns adds texture and prevents sogginess.