The Sloppy Joe Burger perfectly combines classic comfort food and American diner-style burgers. This messy yet delicious dish features savory ground beef seasoned to perfection, served on toasted burger buns for a satisfying bite every time.
Jump to RecipeWhether you’re preparing a quick weeknight dinner or hosting a casual backyard cookout, these Sloppy Joe Burgers are sure to please!
Pro Tips for the Best Sloppy Joe Burger
- Use Fresh Ground Beef: Opt for 80/20 ground beef for a juicy and flavorful filling.
- Toast the Buns: Lightly toast the burger buns for added crunch and to prevent sogginess.
- Adjust the Seasoning: Taste the meat mixture before serving and add salt or spices as needed.
- Cook Low and Slow: Allow the filling to simmer to meld the flavors together perfectly.
- Make it Saucy: If you prefer a wetter filling, add a splash of broth or tomato sauce while simmering.
Personalizing sloppy joe burger recipe
This Sloppy Joe Burger recipe is highly versatile, allowing you to customize it to your taste preferences.
You can swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
Add extra veggies like shredded carrots or diced tomatoes to boost nutrition. For a spicy kick, include jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.
The buns can also be switched up—try brioche, pretzel buns, or even lettuce wraps for a low-carb version.
Ingredients
- Ground beef: The main protein that brings rich flavor and hearty texture to the burgers.
- Burger buns: Soft and perfect for holding the saucy filling.
- Green pepper diced: Adds freshness and crunch.
- Brown sugar: Balances the savory flavors with a touch of sweetness.
- Tomato paste: Provides richness and depth to the meat sauce.
- Onion, chopped: Adds a sweet and aromatic base to the dish.
- Garlic, finely chopped: Enhances the flavor profile with a mild kick.
- Olive oil: Helps brown the meat and sauté the vegetables.
- Dijon mustard: Introduces a tangy and slightly spicy note.
- Salt: Elevates the flavors of all the ingredients.
- Paprika: Adds a smoky undertone to the filling.
- Granulated garlic: Enhances the garlicky taste throughout the dish.
- Cumin: Lends an earthy and warm flavor.
- Water or broth: Helps create a saucy consistency for the meat mixture.
sloppy joe burger recipe
Brown the Meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook for 10 minutes, stirring until browned and crumbled.
Add Vegetables: Mix in diced green pepper, chopped onions, and garlic. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
Season the Filling: Stir in salt, paprika, granulated garlic, cumin, brown sugar, tomato paste, and Dijon mustard. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
Simmer the Sauce: Pour in water or broth, stir well, and simmer for 10 minutes under a lid, allowing the flavors to meld.
Prepare the Buns: Slice the burger buns in half and toast lightly if desired.
Assemble the Burgers: Spoon a generous amount of the meat mixture onto the bottom half of each bun, then top with the remaining bun.
Serve: Enjoy immediately with french fries, a fresh salad, or grilled vegetables.
Different Preparation Methods
- Slow Cooker Method: Brown the ground beef and veggies before adding everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours for a deeper flavor.
- Instant Pot Method: Use the sauté function to brown the meat, then pressure cook for 10 minutes for a quick and easy meal.
- Stovetop Method: As described in the instructions, this traditional method offers full control over the flavor and consistency.
Different Methods of Serving
- Traditional Sloppy Joes: Serve on burger buns with a side of fries.
- On a Bed of Rice: Spoon the filling over rice for a comforting bowl meal.
- Stuffed in Bell Peppers: Use as a stuffing for halved peppers, then bake until tender.
- As a Topping: Use the meat mixture as a topping for baked potatoes or nachos.
How to Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store leftover meat mixture in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Freeze the filling only for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheat: Warm in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until heated through. Add a splash of water or broth if needed to refresh the sauce.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Yes! Ground turkey or even ground chicken work well as leaner alternatives.
What buns work best for Sloppy Joe burgers?
Try brioche, pretzel buns, or potato rolls for a sturdy and flavorful base.
Can I make the filling ahead of time?
Absolutely! The filling can be made a day in advance, stored in the refrigerator, and reheated before assembling the burgers.
How can I make the filling spicier?
Add chili flakes, hot sauce, or diced jalapeños for an extra kick
sloppy joe burger recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 burger buns
- 1 green pepper diced
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp granulated garlic
- 1/3 tsp cumin
- 1/2 cup water or broth
Instructions
- Fry the ground beef in olive oil for 10 minutes, stirring with a spatula. Turn the heat up low.
- Add chopped peppers, onions and garlic. Stir and fry for another 5 minutes.
- Add salt, spices, sugar, tomato paste and Dijon mustard, stir, fry for 2 minutes.
- Pour in water, stir and cook the minced meat for another 10 minutes under the lid.
- Burger buns should be cut into halves. If desired, you can toast the cut ends of the buns. Top with a few tablespoons of seasoned ground beef.
- Cover the minced meat with the other half of the bun and serve the burgers immediately; you can serve it with french fries, salad mix, and fresh vegetables.
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About the Author
I am Seun, and I love to share my first-hand experience using multiple air fryers. Stick around for yummy delicacies made from the air fryer and many amazing tips on using your newfound Kitchen appliance – the air fryer!
