Some days you just want something quick and easy to make for dinner. That’s what you get with today’s Classic Sloppy Joes, comfort food at its best! Ground beef (or your choice of meats or meat substitute) pairs with sauteed vegetables, mild chili-flavored tomato sauce, ketchup, and seasonings to make this childhood favorite.
When I was young, my family and I always looked forward to Sloppy Joe night. My mom served it on slices of white Wonder bread that sopped up all the juices and helped fill up our tummies. It was a splurge because it was made from mostly meat which was more expensive. Mom had a tight meal budget so it was definitely a special occasion dinner.
This recipe is a great way to sneak veggies past your kids by chopping them very finely. If they are extra picky eaters (like I was), you can grate the vegetables to make them harder to detect.
Beautiful gluten-free hamburger buns – look at that crumb!
Today I made gluten-free hamburger buns for this meal and was delighted with the results. It took some time for them to rise but then they quickly baked in the oven, turning a beautiful golden brown and smelling amazing as they cooked. One secret to baking gluten-free breads is to get the internal temperature between 206°F and 210°F to be sure they are cooked all the way through.
The next time you have a busy day and want a quick meal that the whole family will love, give these Classic Sloppy Joes a try. I hope you enjoy them as much as The Artist and I did!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Did you enjoy this recipe? Let me know in the comments, I love hearing from you!
Key Ingredients for Classic Sloppy Joes:
- Oil, onion, carrots, celery, bell pepper, ground beef
- Chili sauce, ketchup, vinegar, oregano, chili powder
- Salt and pepper, hamburger buns (GF if needed)
PRO Tip:
If you have kids who won’t eat vegetables, you can mince them or grate them so they are less obvious in the finished dish. Cook them longer so they nearly disappear into the sauce. Add a little extra water if the sauce gets too thick.
How to make Classic Sloppy Joes:
- Sauté the vegetables until softened, then add the ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking up clumps
- Stir in the chili sauce, ketchup, and water then add the vinegar, oregano, chili powder, and salt and pepper to taste
- Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes; taste and adjust seasonings as needed
- Split the hamburger buns in half, place the bottom half on a plate, top with a ladle of the Sloppy Joe mixture on top and set the top half of the bun on an angle; serve immediately
PRO Tip:
Always watch out for gluten in unexpected places like sauces or spices. In this recipe you can use Heinz Chili Sauce which is gluten-free. Penzeys spices and McCormick’s are good sources for gluten-free spices and herbs.
Recommended Tools (affiliate links; no extra cost to you):
- Chef’s knife
- Serrated bread knife
- Cutting board
- Jar opener
- Measuring spoons
- Large, deep skillet
- Ladle
Gluten-Free Tips:
Use your favorite gluten-free hamburger buns, sliced bread, or homemade buns as the base for these Sloppy Joes.
You can adjust any recipe to gluten-free by using 120 grams per cup of my favorite gluten-free flour blend. If you are using another brand of gluten-free flour, whisk the mix, spoon it lightly into a measuring cup until mounded, level off the top with a straight edge, and weigh the flour left in the cup. Use that weight as your standard per cup of that specific flour. Commercial blends such as Pamela’s, Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1, or King Arthur Measure for Measure are all good choices.
Classic Sloppy Joes (Gluten-Free)
Some days you just want something quick and easy to make for dinner. That's what you get with today's Classic Sloppy Joes, comfort food at its best. You can have this on the table in under an hour, or more quickly if you buy pre-chopped veggies. It doesn't get much easier or more delicious!
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 med onion, finely chopped
- 2 large carrots, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 1 bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 (12 oz) jar chili sauce (Heinz brand is gluten-free)
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp sherry or balsamic vinegar
- 2 tsp oregano
- 1 tbsp chili powder, or to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Hamburger buns (gluten-free if needed), split and lightly toasted if desired
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet. Sauté the vegetables on medium-high heat until softened, about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the beef and cook, breaking up clumps, until fully browned, another 5 to 10 minutes.
- Stir in the chili sauce, ketchup, and water. Add the vinegar, oregano, chili powder, and salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until slightly thickened and the flavors have blended, about 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. If you think it needs it, you can add a little brown sugar to balance the flavors.
- Split the hamburger buns in half horizontally with a serrated knife. Place the bottom half on a plate, add a ladle of the meat mixture and set the other half on top. Serve immediately.
- Recipe found at www.theheritagecook.com
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 504Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 101mgSodium: 897mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 3gSugar: 17gProtein: 34g
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