How to Make an American Sloppy Joe
The American Sloppy Joe, originally called the "skilletburger," is a sandwich that first appeared in the 1950s. In these early days, it was made as a loose-meat sandwich without tomato sauce used as a binder. The mess often left behind by the sandwich led to the popular name "Sloppy Joe." The recipe changed slightly through the years to include tomato sauce and various spices. This recipe yields eight American Sloppy Joe sandwiches. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 1 medium green bell pepper
- 2 tbsps. vegetable oil
- 1 lb. ground beef
- Large skillet
- Spatula
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tbsp. brown sugar
- ½ tsp. paprika
- 1 8-oz. can of tomato sauce
- ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
- Bowl
- 8 hamburger buns
- Plates
- 8 slices American cheese
- Air-tight container
Instructions
-
-
1
Chop the onion and green bell pepper into small pieces. Add 2 tbsps. vegetable oil to the skillet and warm over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for two minutes while breaking the meat into small pieces with the spatula.
-
2
Add the chopped onion and pepper to the skillet and cook for three more minutes. Combine the salt, brown sugar, paprika, tomato sauce and ground black pepper in a small bowl.
-
-
3
Pour the sauce into the skillet and cook for about five minutes or until the mixture begins to bubble. Place eight open-faced hamburger buns onto plates and spoon a moderate portion of the Sloppy Joe mixture onto the bottom half of each bun.
-
4
Place one slice of American cheese over the meat on each Sloppy Joe sandwich. Place the top buns over the meat and wait about one minute for the cheese to melt. The cheese may be omitted, if desired.
-
5
Serve the American Sloppy Joe sandwiches immediately for the best flavor. Store any leftover Sloppy Joe mixture in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Reheat any leftovers prior to serving.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Try serving the American Sloppy Joe as an open-faced sandwich to be eaten with a fork to minimize the mess. Additional salt and pepper or other spices can be added to taste, if desired.
