Description
A rich, comforting sloppy joe recipe made with ground beef, brown sugar, and smoked paprika, served on golden, butter-toasted brioche buns for maximum texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) 80/20 ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup water or beef broth
- 4 large brioche buns, halved
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and break it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook for 8 minutes until no longer pink and liquid has released.
- Add diced onion to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and smoked paprika, stirring constantly for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and a pinch of black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to deepen flavors.
- Pour in water or beef broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Season with salt to taste.
- While the sauce simmers, melt butter in a toaster oven or skillet. Toast brioche halves cut-side down until golden brown and crisp, about 3-4 minutes in the oven or 1-2 minutes per side in a skillet.
- Assemble by spooning the warm sloppy joe mixture generously onto the toasted brioche halves. Serve immediately.
Notes
Toast the brioche generously to prevent sogginess. The sauce should cling to the meat, not pool. You can make the meat sauce ahead of time and store in the fridge for up to 3 days, but toast the brioche fresh before serving. For a vegetarian version, swap beef for plant-based ground or lentils.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun with sauce
- Calories: 450
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 24
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 22
Keywords: sloppy joes, brioche, comfort food, ground beef, easy dinner, one-pan meal, toasted buns, quick recipes