Description

This classic diner-style sloppy joe recipe features a hearty mix of minced beef, sweet peppers, onions, and a smoky chipotle barbecue sauce, all simmered to perfection and topped with melted cheese. Served in soft burger buns with crispy onions and fresh iceberg lettuce, it’s a satisfying and flavorful meal perfect for any casual dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 small red peppers or yellow peppers, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
400g minced beef
2 x 400ml cans chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp chipotle or smoky barbecue sauce
4 cheese slices
6 burger buns
Crispy onions, to serve
Iceberg lettuce, to serve

Instructions

Prepare the vegetables: Heat the vegetable oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion, red or yellow peppers, and crushed garlic cloves. Fry these for 8-10 minutes until they become soft and fragrant.
Cook the mince: Add the minced beef to the pan with the softened vegetables. Break up the mince with a wooden spoon and stir continuously until it is browned all over, ensuring even cooking and no large clumps remain.
Add tomatoes and sauce: Pour in the chopped tomatoes from the cans and stir in the chipotle or smoky barbecue sauce. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Simmer the sauce: Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This helps the sauce thicken and the flavors to meld together perfectly.
Melt the cheese: Place the cheese slices on top of the mince mixture in the pan. Cover with a lid and let it stand for 2 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt thoroughly into the sauce.
Assemble the sloppy joes: Spoon generous amounts of the cheesy beef mixture into the burger buns. Serve with crispy onions sprinkled on top or on the side, and fresh iceberg lettuce leaves, perfect for scooping up any extra sauce.

Notes

You can substitute the minced beef with turkey or plant-based mince for a leaner or vegetarian option.
If you prefer less heat, use mild barbecue sauce instead of chipotle sauce.
For a richer flavor, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce during the simmering step.
Ensure the pan is deep enough to accommodate simmering the sauce without spilling.
Use fresh crunchy lettuce and crispy onions to add texture contrast to the soft sloppy joe mixture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American Diner

Keywords: sloppy joes, diner recipe, minced beef recipe, barbecue sauce, cheesy sloppy joes, easy dinner, American comfort food