Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add onion and bell pepper; cook 3–4 minutes until softened.
Add garlic; cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add ground beef; brown for 5–6 minutes, breaking apart as it cooks.
Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
Add ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, and smoked paprika. Stir to combine.
Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 5–7 minutes until sauce thickens.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Spoon generously onto toasted buns and serve immediately.
Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4-6
- Times
- Description
- Image
- Ingredients
- Method
- Notes
- Nutrition
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 20 minutes
- Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (or coconut sugar; optional)
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 4–6 hamburger buns, toasted
Method
- 1)
Notes
Always toast the buns — it prevents sogginess and adds great texture against the saucy filling.
For a low-carb version, serve in butter lettuce cups or stuffed bell pepper halves.
Filling freezes perfectly for up to 3 months — double the batch and thank yourself later.