This ‘Sloppy Joe’ recipe is my go-to recipe for birthday celebrations & large gatherings. It’s a definite crowd pleaser for birthday parties and special occasions. And it’s a great meal to have ready to go for late-night sporting events. I love this recipe because it’s so easy because you can prepare it ahead of time and put it in a slow-cooker to keep it warm while entertaining. The next-best part about this recipe is that leftovers heat up great for lunches the following week! These Sloppy Joe sandwhiches have great flavor – a little heat and a little sweetness so it’s a favorite for the whole family.
I also love that I can use fresh vegetables from our garden to make this dish. We use our locally-sourced, grass-fed organic beef and onions and peppers from our garden, making this a healthier option than processed mixes for Sloppy Joe’s. If you haven’t already checked it out – be sure to read the post about how you can save money on meat by buying your meat from a local farmer here.
Ingredients:
- 3# Ground Beef
- 2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- Red Onion (Diced)
- Yellow or Orange Pepper (Diced)
- Red Pepper (Diced)
- Jalepeno Pepper (Diced, finely)
- Habanero Pepper (Diced, finely)
- Olive Oil (to season frying pan)
- 1/4 cup Dry Red Wine
- 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/3 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 cups Tomato Sauce
- 1/2 to 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1-1 1/2 tsp Mustard Powder (dry)
- 1 Tbsp Paprika
- Salt & Pepper (to taste)
Instructions:
- Start by preparing your vegetables – finely chop your onion and peppers. Place them all in a large bowl and set aside.
- Place 2-4 Tablespoons of olive oil in your fry pan (more for cast iron). Add your ground beef and season with salt & pepper. Fry the meat, breaking it apart and adding water to prevent the meat from sticking or getting too dark.
- Once your ground beef is browned and cooked almost all the way through, add the chopped onions and peppers from step one, as well as the minced garlic. Continue adding 1/4 cup of water as needed to allow the vegetables to cook without sticking.
- When the peppers are softened and becoming translucent, add the red wine, vinegar, Worcestershire and brown sugar. Stir to combine. Then add the dry spices, stirring again to combine.
- Add the tomato sauce and let the mixture simmer 15-20 minutes to let flavors pull together. Again, keep adding 1/4 cup of water as needed to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Place mixture in a slow cooker on low or serve immediately, as needed for entertaining purposes.
Serves 12-15 people (depending upon appetites).
You can serve with whatever kind of rolls or bakery you prefer for sandwiches. Don’t forget to put out some pickles and sides that compliment your meal.
This is a crowd pleaser that is sure to wow your guests with little effort. Friends ask me for this Sloppy Joe recipe more than any other recipe I make.
