Go Back
–+ servings
Print

Grammie's Best Sloppy Joe's

Seasoned to perfection, these Joe's are peppery, beefy, and robust with just the right amount of sweetness to have you and your guests eyeing for seconds.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6 people

Ingredients

  • 2 medium Yellow or Sweet Onion chopped medium
  • 1 large Red or Yellow Sweet Pepper chopped medium
  • 6-8 cloves Fresh Garlic minced
  • 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 Tablespoons Bacon Fat if you have it. It's optional, but most everything tastes better with a touch of bacon fat, don't you think?
  • 1 pound Ground Pork
  • 2 pounds Ground Beef good quality, 90/10 suggested.
  • 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
  • 3 teaspoons Sea Salt divided
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Ground Black Pepper
  • 2 6 ounce cans Tomato Paste
  • 1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons Dry Mustard
  • 1 1/2 cups Water
  • 1/4 cup Brown Sugar

Instructions

  1. Gather and prepare ingredients (chop onions, peppers, and mince fresh garlic). In a large skillet on medium heat, add chopped onions, sweet pepper, and garlic along with olive oil and bacon fat (if using). Saute until onions are translucent and beginning to caramelize.
  2. Add ground pork and 1 teaspoon of salt. Break up pork into small pieces and brown.
  3. Spoon away excess fat allowing approximately 2 tablespoons to remain.
  4. Add ground beef and break up into chunky pieces.
  5. Season meat with remaining 2 teaspoons salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix in and brown the beef.
  6. Continuing over medium-low heat, add in tomato paste and mix together. Allow tomato paste to caramelize a bit in the remaining fat.
  7. Add in dry mustard and Worcestershire sauce.
  8. Add in water and brown sugar and mix well together.
  9. Simmer several minutes more to combine flavors. Turn off heat, cover, and set aside while preparing buns. Toast burger buns to a golden brown with the cut side up and placed under the broiler. Watch them closely, being careful not to burn.
  10. Top the toasted buns generously with Sloppy Joe meat and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

We serve ours with a side of cooked cut corn or fresh carrots and ranch dip.