Old-Fashioned Sloppy Joes

These classic Sloppy Joes take everything you loved about the cafeteria version and transform it into a crave-worthy homemade masterpiece that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

The secret is in the perfect balance of tangy sauce and perfectly seasoned ground beef, with just enough sweetness to make the flavors pop. Plus, these come together in just 20 minutes – perfect for those busy weeknights when you need a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

For the Base:

• 1 lb 80/20 ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped fine
• 1 medium green pepper, chopped fine
• 1 tablespoon canola oil

For the Sauce:

• ½ cup ketchup
• 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar

Steps

1. Heat a large frying pan over medium-low heat and add 1 tablespoon canola oil. Add finely chopped onions and peppers, sautéing for 5 minutes until they begin to soften and become translucent. The vegetables should be tender but not browned.
2. Increase heat to medium-high. Push vegetables to the outer edge of the pan – this prevents them from burning while you cook the beef. Spread ground beef in an even layer in the center of the pan. Let it cook, undisturbed, for 5 minutes until you see a good brown crust forming on the bottom.
3. Season the beef with salt and pepper to taste, then flip. Break the meat into small, even pieces with a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook for 2-3 minutes until meat is fully cooked with no pink remaining. The meat should be well-browned but not dry.
4. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar. Stir to combine thoroughly, making sure all the meat is coated. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and the flavors meld together. The mixture should be saucy but not runny.

Smart Swaps

• Use ground turkey instead of beef (93% lean) to reduce fat while maintaining moisture
• Switch to sugar-free ketchup to lower carbs without sacrificing taste
• Try whole wheat buns for added fiber and nutrition

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Replace sugar with 1/2 teaspoon monk fruit sweetener
• Use sugar-free ketchup to reduce carbs by 4g per serving
• Serve on low-carb cloud bread (2g net carbs) instead of regular buns
• Add extra vegetables to increase fiber and reduce glycemic impact

Pro Tips

• Let meat develop a good crust before breaking it up – this creates better texture
• Chop vegetables very finely so they blend seamlessly into the meat
• Toast your buns lightly for better sauce absorption
• If mixture gets too dry, add 1-2 tablespoons beef broth to maintain moisture