Sloppy Joes Toasted Buns Pickles (Print View)
Saucy ground beef in tomato sauce served on toasted buns topped with crunchy pickles and tangy flavors.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meat & Protein
01 - 1 lb ground beef, 85% lean recommended
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauce
05 - 1 cup tomato sauce
06 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
07 - 2 tbsp ketchup
08 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 tbsp yellow mustard
10 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
11 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/4 tsp chili powder
13 - Salt and pepper to taste
→ Buns & Toppings
14 - 4 burger buns, sliced and toasted
15 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter for toasting buns
16 - 1 cup sliced dill pickles
# How to Make:
01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and no longer pink, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Sauté until vegetables are softened, 3–4 minutes.
03 - Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
04 - Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to a hearty consistency.
05 - While the mixture simmers, butter the cut sides of the burger buns. Toast them in a skillet or on a baking sheet until golden brown and crispy.
06 - Spoon the sloppy joe mixture generously onto the bottom half of each toasted bun. Top with sliced dill pickles and cover with the top bun. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The sweet and tangy sauce hits every comfort food craving in one bite
- Ready in 35 minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
- Perfect for feeding a hungry crowd without spending hours in the kitchen
02 -
- The sauce needs those 10 to 12 minutes of simmering time to thicken properly, rushing this step will leave you with runny sloppy joes
- Draining the beef after browning prevents your final sauce from being too greasy and heavy
- Toasting the buns with butter is not optional, it creates a barrier that keeps the bread from getting soggy
03 -
- Chopping your vegetables very small helps them disappear into the sauce for picky eaters
- Letting the meat get deeply browned, almost caramelized, adds incredible depth to the final dish