Classic Sweet and Tangy Sloppy Joes
This Classic Sweet and Tangy Sloppy Joe recipe revives an old favorite, offering a delightful blend of sweetness and tanginess without the overwhelming spice that comes with many modern versions. Made from scratch with fresh ingredients, this dish features tender ground chuck, crisp green peppers, and a rich tomato-based sauce, making them perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. The flavors are not only delicious hot but also improve tremendously when reheated, ensuring leftovers are an absolute treat. Once you try this homemade version, you'll never want to reach for the canned sauce again!
N/A
Servings
320
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground chuck
1 1/2-2 lbs (browned)
yellow onion
1/2 cup (finely chopped)
green pepper
1/2 cup (finely chopped)
Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons (added directly)
cider vinegar
2 tablespoons (added directly)
dried mustard
1 tablespoon (added directly)
brown sugar
3/4 cup (added directly)
catsup
1 (26 ounce) bottle (added directly)
salt
1 teaspoon (added directly)
black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (added directly)
hamburger buns
8-10 (for serving)
Instructions
1
In a large deep skillet over medium heat, brown the ground chuck along with the finely chopped yellow onion until the meat is fully cooked and the onion is translucent.
2
Once browned, carefully drain the excess grease from the skillet.
3
Stir in the finely chopped green pepper and sauté for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the green pepper is tender.
4
Add the Worcestershire sauce, cider vinegar, dried mustard, brown sugar, ketchup, salt, and black pepper into the skillet. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
5
Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
6
Once ready, serve the Sloppy Joe mixture hot on hamburger buns. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
18g
Fat
30g
Carbs
16g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Classic Sweet and Tangy Sloppy Joes?
This is a homemade version of the classic sandwich that features a rich tomato-based sauce, ground chuck, and green peppers with a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess.
What type of meat is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1.5 to 2 pounds of ground chuck.
How much yellow onion should I use?
You should use 1/2 cup of finely chopped yellow onion.
What size bottle of ketchup is needed?
You will need one 26-ounce bottle of ketchup (catsup) for the sauce.
How long does the Sloppy Joe mixture need to simmer?
The mixture should simmer on low heat for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
What makes the sauce tangy?
The tanginess comes from a combination of cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and dried mustard.
Is this Sloppy Joe recipe spicy?
No, this version focuses on a sweet and tangy profile without the overwhelming spice found in many modern recipes.
How do I prepare the green peppers?
You should finely chop 1/2 cup of green pepper and saute it for 3-5 minutes until tender.
Should I drain the meat after browning?
Yes, you should carefully drain the excess grease from the skillet once the ground chuck and onions are browned.
What type of vinegar is used in this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for cider vinegar.
How much brown sugar is in the sauce?
The recipe requires 3/4 cup of brown sugar.
Can I reheat these Sloppy Joes?
Yes, the flavors improve tremendously when reheated, making them excellent for leftovers.
What kind of buns should I serve this on?
The mixture is best served hot on standard hamburger buns.
How many buns does this recipe typically fill?
This recipe generally yields enough filling for 8 to 10 hamburger buns.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 320 calories.
How much fat is in a serving of these Sloppy Joes?
There are 18 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
There are 30 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving provides 16 grams of protein.
Does this recipe use fresh ingredients?
Yes, it is made from scratch using fresh ground meat, onions, and green peppers instead of canned sauce.
What kind of mustard is used?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of dried mustard.
How much Worcestershire sauce is needed?
You will need 3 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce.
Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes, it is tagged as a kid-friendly meal due to its sweet flavor and lack of intense spice.
How much salt and pepper should I add?
The recipe suggests 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to brown the ground chuck and finely chopped yellow onion in a large deep skillet.
Can this be considered a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is categorized as a one-dish meal and a classic comfort food.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 11 total ingredients in this recipe.
How do I know when the onions are ready?
The onions are ready when they become translucent during the browning of the meat.
What temperature should I use for simmering?
You should reduce the heat to low for the 30-minute simmering process.
How long do I cook the green peppers?
Sauté the green peppers for an additional 3-5 minutes after draining the meat grease.
Why should I make this instead of using canned sauce?
This homemade version uses fresh ingredients and offers a superior sweet and tangy flavor profile that improves over time.