Ingredients
Method
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over moderate heat. Add diced onions and cook until they begin to brown, approximately 6 minutes.
- Push the onions to one side of the skillet and add ground sirloin and chuck. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 12 minutes.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, ketchup, barbecue sauce, tomato paste, and cider vinegar. Simmer the mixture over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, approximately 20 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Spoon the barbecue sloppy joe mixture onto toasted hamburger buns. Optionally, top with sliced sharp cheddar cheese.
- Serve and enjoy your homemade barbecue sloppy joes!
Notes
Pro Tips:
- Mix Meat Types: For added flavor and texture, try mixing different types of ground meat such as beef, pork, or turkey. This can give your barbecue sloppy joes a unique twist.
- Caramelize Onions: Take the extra time to caramelize the onions slowly. This will enhance their natural sweetness and add depth of flavor to your dish.
- Toast the Buns: Toasting the hamburger buns adds a nice crunch and prevents them from getting soggy from the sauce. It also adds a deliciously crispy texture to each bite.
- Adjust Seasonings: Taste your sloppy joe mixture as it simmers and adjust the seasonings to your preference. Add a dash of hot sauce for extra heat or a sprinkle of brown sugar for sweetness.
- Make Ahead: You can make the sloppy joe mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This makes for a quick and easy meal prep option for busy days.
- Vegetarian Option: Replace the ground meat with cooked lentils, crumbled tofu, or a plant-based ground meat alternative for a vegetarian version of barbecue sloppy joes.
- Spicy Sloppy Joes: Add diced jalapenos or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sloppy joe mixture for a spicy kick. You can also use a spicy barbecue sauce for extra heat.
- Cheese Lovers: Load up your sloppy joes with your favorite cheese. Try shredded cheddar, pepper jack, or mozzarella for a gooey and indulgent twist.
- Extra Veggies: Boost the nutritional value of your sloppy joes by adding extra veggies such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or grated carrots. Simply sauté them along with the onions for added flavor and texture.
- Serve Over Fries: For a fun and indulgent twist, serve your barbecue sloppy joe mixture over a bed of crispy french fries. Top with cheese, green onions, and sour cream for loaded fries with a barbecue twist.
- Asian Fusion: Add soy sauce, ginger, and a splash of rice vinegar to the sloppy joe mixture for an Asian-inspired twist. Serve in lettuce cups for a low-carb option.