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Cozy Summer Camp Mess Hall Sloppy Joes

Cozy Summer Camp Mess Hall Sloppy Joes - featured image
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A nostalgic, easy-to-make sloppy joe recipe with a sweet, tangy, and smoky sauce perfect for summer gatherings and quick dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 small green bell pepper, diced (optional)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons (30 g) tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons (25 g) brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 4–6 hamburger buns, toasted

Instructions

  1. Finely chop the yellow onion and dice the green bell pepper. Mince the garlic cloves.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it apart until browned but not overcooked. Drain excess fat, leaving about a tablespoon in the pan.
  3. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Mix well to combine.
  5. Lower heat to medium-low and simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens and coats the beef mixture.
  6. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Adjust sweetness or tanginess by adding more brown sugar or vinegar if desired.
  7. Toast the hamburger buns in a skillet or toaster oven until golden and slightly crisp.
  8. Spoon a generous amount of the sloppy joe mixture onto the toasted buns and serve hot.

Notes

If sauce is too thick, add a splash of water or beef broth to loosen. If too thin, simmer longer uncovered. Toast buns to prevent sogginess. Drain excess fat but leave about a tablespoon for flavor. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, lentils, or mushrooms for dietary preferences.

Nutrition

Keywords: sloppy joes, summer camp recipe, easy dinner, comfort food, homemade sloppy joes, quick meal, backyard barbecue

Find it online: https://clunkcook.com/cozy-summer-camp-mess-hall-sloppy-joes-recipe-easy-homemade-dinner-idea/