Chef John's Sloppy Joes

The secret to a great ‘Sloppy Joe’ is a thick, rich, almost dry consistency, which allows it to be eaten two-fisted, sans fork.

Step: 1

Combine the ground beef and onion in a cold skillet, place the skillet onto a stove burner, and turn the heat to medium; cook and stir until the beef is crumbly and browned. Stir the garlic and bell pepper into the beef mixture; continue cooking and stirring until the vegetables are tender, 2 to 3 more minutes. Add 1 cup of water. Mix in ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper. Pour in 1 more cup of water. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook until the mixture becomes very thick, 30 to 45 minutes. Adjust salt and pepper as needed. Season with cayenne.

Per Serving: 271 calories; protein 24.6g; carbohydrates 14.4g; fat 12.6g; cholesterol 83.6mg; sodium 991.9mg.