Dr Pepper Sloppy Joes
A great sauce starts with a balance of sweet and savory flavors, and this version of Sloppy Joes takes that principle to the next level. It might sound unexpected, but Dr Pepper adds just the right touch of sweetness, making these sandwiches impossible to resist. Get ready for a bold new take on a weeknight favorite that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds!
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Unsalted butter | 2 tablespoons |
| Small onion, finely diced | 1 |
| Small green bell pepper, finely diced | 1 |
| Lean ground beef | 2 lbs |
| Garlic, minced | 4 cloves |
| Tomato sauce | 1 (15 oz) can |
| Dr Pepper | 1 ½ cups |
| Ketchup | 4 tablespoons |
| Apple cider vinegar | 2 tablespoons |
| Worcestershire sauce | 2 tablespoons |
| Onion powder | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Black pepper | 1 teaspoon |
| Chili powder (or to taste) | 1 teaspoon |
| Smoked paprika | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Italian seasoning | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Sesame seed buns | 8-10 |
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, cooking for about 10 minutes until softened.
- Add the ground beef and cook for 8 minutes, breaking it up into small crumbles as it browns. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Pour in the tomato sauce, Dr Pepper, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, salt, pepper, chili powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to your preferred consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Toast the sesame seed buns, then generously spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto the bottom half of each bun. Top with the other half and serve warm.
