Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb 85/15 ground beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
• 1/2 green bell pepper, finely diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 6 hamburger buns, toasted

Instructions

Follow each step in order. The directions below are written so a beginner can understand what to do, what to look for, and when to move on to the next step.

1. Step 1.Heat a wide skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil and ground beef, and spread the meat across the pan so it can brown before you begin breaking it into small crumbles.
2. Step 2.Cook the beef for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no pink remains and several pieces have deeply browned edges; carefully spoon off excess rendered fat if needed.
3. Step 3.Add the diced onion and green bell pepper to the beef and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables soften and the onion becomes translucent.
4. Step 4.Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant, taking care not to let the garlic scorch against the hot surface of the skillet.
5. Step 5.Add the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper, then stir thoroughly so the seasonings are evenly distributed.
6. Step 6.Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes until the sauce thickens enough to cling to the beef.
7. Step 7.Taste the filling and adjust salt, mustard, sweetness, or Worcestershire in small amounts; the finished mixture should be saucy and spoonable without being watery.
8. Step 8.Check that the ground beef has reached at least 160°F in the center, then remove the skillet from the heat and let the filling stand for 2 minutes to settle.
9. Step 9.Toast the split hamburger buns cut-side down in a dry skillet or under a broiler until lightly golden so they are sturdy enough to hold the moist beef filling.
10. Step 10.Spoon a generous portion of hot Sloppy Joe filling onto each toasted bottom bun, close with the top bun, and serve immediately with pickles, fries, or a crisp salad.