Gourmet Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

Ground beef

1 pound

Butter

2 tablespoons

Brioche buns

4

Salt and pepper

to taste

Smoked paprika

1 teaspoon

Apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon

Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon

Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon

Brown sugar

2 tablespoons

Tomato paste

2 tablespoons

Red bell pepper

1, finely chopped

Garlic

2 cloves, minced

Onion

1, finely chopped

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Make sure to break it up into small crumbles. Drain any excess fat and set the beef aside.
2. In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and red bell pepper. Cook until the vegetables have softened, about 5 minutes.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the tomato paste, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. This creates your homemade sloppy joe sauce, a key component that brings all the flavors together.
4. Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the sautéed vegetables, add the cooked ground beef, and stir to combine. Let everything simmer on low heat for 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together, creating a rich, robust base for your sandwiches.
5. While the sloppy joe mixture is simmering, toast the brioche buns in a separate skillet with a bit of butter until they're golden brown, adding a delightful crunch and a buttery flavor note.
6. To serve, generously spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto the toasted brioche buns. Enjoy hot, for an ideal mix of tangy, sweet, and savory in every bite.