Description

Sloppy Joes with Spicy Crispy Onions take the classic comfort food sandwich to the next level with a saucy, savory beef mixture topped with golden, crunchy fried onions. Hearty, messy, and packed with flavor, it’s a perfect meal for family dinners or game day.

Ingredients

For the Sloppy Joes:

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1 ½ lbs lean ground beef (90–95% fat)

1 large onion, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped (seeds and ribs removed)

3 tbsp light brown sugar, packed

2 tbsp Montreal Steak Seasoning (low-sodium)

¼ tsp ground cayenne pepper (optional)

¼ tsp garlic powder

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

5 tbsp tomato paste (3 oz)

6 toasted buns or rolls

For the Spicy Crispy Onions:

1 large sweet onion (Vidalia), halved and thinly sliced

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp ground cayenne pepper (optional)

½ tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

Vegetable oil, for frying

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Instructions

Make the Sloppy Joes: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add ground beef and cook until no pink remains. Stir in onion and bell pepper, cooking 5 minutes until crisp-tender. Add brown sugar, seasoning, cayenne, garlic powder, lemon juice, Worcestershire, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 15–20 minutes, stirring frequently.
Make the Crispy Onions: Soak sliced onions in buttermilk. In another bowl, mix flour, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Heat oil in a deep saucepan to 375°F (190°C). Drain onions slightly, dredge in flour mixture, shake off excess, and fry in batches until golden and crispy (about 2 minutes). Transfer to paper towels to drain.
Assemble: Spoon Sloppy Joe mixture onto toasted buns and top with spicy crispy onions. Serve hot.

Notes

Swap ground beef with turkey or chicken for a lighter version.

Add diced jalapeños or chipotle peppers for extra heat.

Use store-bought fried onions for convenience.

Try yellow bell peppers for a sweeter sauce flavor.

Toast buns to prevent sogginess.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 sandwich
Calories: 560
Sugar: 13g
Sodium: 950mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 48g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 95mg