Sloppy Joes are a favorite among children and adults. Many people think there is only one way to make sloppy Joes or they are used to making them from a mix, but there are actually a number of ways to make this delightful comfort food. You can spice them up or make them sweet with the addition of extra ingredients.
Sloppy Joes are a combination of sweet and savory flavors, produced with vinegar, sugar, ketchup, barbecue sauce, tomato paste, onion and garlic. Try chili sloppy Joes, or Asian varieties such as Mongolian and Szechuan sloppy Joes. Vegans and vegetarians can also enjoy this famous dish with soy filling or sloppy Joes made out of lentils and spices. For spicer sloppy Joes, try adding jalapenos, chili powder and chipotle. You can add all kinds of fillings, such as onions, pickles and cheese. For a special touch, toast buns before serving.
1. Classic Sloppy Joes
This is a classic Sloppy Joes recipe that is simple and delicious. If you like a more piquant version of sloppy Joes, add a higher proportion of barbecue sauce to ketchup, a little more Worcestershire sauce and a tablespoon of mustard and white vinegar. If you like a sweeter version of Sloppy Joes, add a higher proportion of ketchup and some brown sugar. Experiment with this recipe for the right combination.
1 pound ground beef
1 garlic clove minced
1 onion chopped
½ cup barbecue sauce
½ cup ketchup
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon mustard
1 tablespoon oil
6 hamburger buns
Heat oil in a skillet and saute onion and garlic. Add beef and break up clumps while browning. Drain off oil. Add barbecue sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and mustard. Reduce heat and add water if the combination is too thick. Spoon onto hamburger buns and serve.