Sloppy joes are an American classic.
Sloppy joes are an American classic made famous by both the mess they make and a balance of ingredients that achieves that distinctly sweet, spicy and savory blend. Sloppy joes leave a lot of room for experimenting, so keep the basics in mind and mix up your own blend of mouth-watering, shirt-staining joes.
Meat
Browned ground meat is the first ingredient in a flavorful sloppy joe.
Any ground meat will do for making sloppy joes, though ground beef is the most popular selection due to its rich flavor and classic association with the sandwich. You can substitute ground turkey or chicken, but the taste will be distinctly different from that of a classic sloppy joe. Brown the meat (usually around 1 1/2 lbs.) and drain the fat before mixing with the other ingredients.
Sauce
Ketchup and mustard are the base of a great sloppy joe sauce.
Sloppy joes feature a savory and sweet sauce made up of different sauces and spices. The more sauce, the sloppier the joe. The base of the sauce can include a combination of tomato paste or ketchup, barbecue sauce, mustard, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and sometimes even a cup of cola. The correct amount of each ingredient will achieve a balanced and mouth-watering sauce -- taste it before mixing it with the other ingredients.
Spices
A distinct blend of spices can turn a classic sloppy joe into a new family recipe.
Spices in the sauce can turn a good sloppy joe into a distinct and unforgettable sloppy joe. Many classic flavors are associated with sloppy joes, including garlic, brown sugar, salt, pepper and chili powder. Add a kick with cumin, paprika, green pepper flakes and oregano. Experiment to discover what will make your sauce the perfect blend of sweet spicy and savory.
Special Additions
You can throw in a cup of diced vegetables to add texture and nutrition to your sloppy joes.
Sloppy joes are a way to sneak in some extra servings of vegetables. You can enhance the nutrition and texture of your sloppy joe with diced carrots, celery, onions, bell peppers, corn or mushrooms. You can also get in some extra calcium and fulfill a craving by adding a cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
Tags: American classic, before mixing, before mixing with, classic sloppy, ground meat
