Easy Minnesota Sloppy Joes
Sweet, tangy, and a little savory, these Minnesota-style sloppy joes cook into a thick, spoonable sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights.
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Servings:
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1.5 lb ground beef 85–90% lean
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 0.75 cup diced green bell pepper
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 0.75 cup ketchup
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp light brown sugar packed
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.25 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 0.25 cup water
- 12 oz soft hamburger buns about 6 buns, split
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Warm a large skillet over medium heat and melt the butter.
- Sauté the onion and bell pepper until softened, about 5–6 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic, chili powder, and smoked paprika; cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks; brown until no pink remains, then drain excess fat.
- Mix in ketchup, tomato sauce, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire, vinegar, water, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thick and glossy, 8–10 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Lightly toast the buns in a dry skillet or under the broiler until golden.
- Spoon the hot mixture onto the buns and serve right away.
Notes
Try ground turkey for a lighter take, or fold in a spoonful of dill relish for that classic Midwest bite. Leftovers keep well in the fridge up to 4 days; reheat gently with a splash of water.
This recipe is an original creation inspired by classic Easy Minnesota Sloppy Joes flavors. All ingredient ratios and instructions are independently developed.