Description
Make a quick, hearty, and flavorful upgrade to classic Sloppy Joes using a smoky BBQ sauce base. This easy skillet meal is perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp chili powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
- ¼–½ cup water
- Soft burger buns or brioche buns for serving
- Optional: cheddar slices, pickles, or coleslaw for topping
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, break it apart, and cook for 6–8 minutes until deeply browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add BBQ sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
- Add ¼ cup water to loosen the mixture. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens. Add more water if it becomes too thick, or simmer longer if it is too thin.
- Heat a clean skillet with a small amount of butter. Place buns cut-side down and toast until golden brown.
- Spoon a generous amount of the beef mixture onto the bottom bun. Add any optional toppings like cheese or pickles. Place the top bun on and serve right away.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, let the beef sit untouched for one minute at a time while browning to allow it to caramelize.
- The ideal finished texture is thick and spoonable, clinging well to the meat.
- Toasting the buns creates a barrier that helps prevent the sandwich from becoming soggy.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: BBQ Beef Sloppy Joes, Dinner Ideas Recipes, Quick Dinner Ideas, Easy Weeknight Dinners, Kid Friendly Dinners, Skillet Meal, Comfort Food