Ree Drummond, better know as the Pioneer Woman, did a big change to our comfort food world with her fun recipes and cozy stories. She cooks like shes inviting you into her kitchen, its like stepping back to a simpler time. Out of all her dishes, Sloppy Joes shine as a true American classic that bring people to the table. Its a mess of seasoned ground beef on a soft bun but it tastes so good families all over cant get enough.
Her Sloppy Joes recipie is really popular and its easy to see why its so liked. Its simple to make with few ingredients but flavor gets you every time. On a busy weeknight or just hanging out with friends her version of this dish will make your belly and heart happy. Below we will look at where Sloppy Joes come from, how Ree adds her own touch, and how you can cook them in your kitchen too.
The Appeal of Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes go way back to early 1900s but nobody really knows exactly who started them. Some say a cook named Joe in Sioux City Iowa made the first one with beef and tomato sauce on a bun for families who didnt have much time. Over years the recipe changed and got messier and tastier and now its a symbol of American comfort food.
What makes Sloppy Joes so great is that you can twist them any way you want and there isnt much fuss. Its normal to see them at backyard parties, dinner time or midnight snacks. They go good with potato chips or coleslaw or really anything from your simple dinner ideas you got in the fridge.
Ree Drummond adds her special touch but she still honours the old school style. She likes to mix brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce in the sauce for a sweet and savory punch. She also says pick good ground beef so every bite is juicy and full of taste thats hard to beat.
Even though this is comfort food you can make it a bit healthier. You could swap beef for turkey or throw in extra veg like peppers and onions or even use whole wheat buns. That way you wont feel so guilty and you still get all the cozy flavors.
The Original Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joes Recipe
Now that we looked at where Sloppy Joes came from and why theyre so fun to eat lets get into how Ree makes hers. Its a mix of simple things and an easy way to cook so youll love it and your family will want more.
To start making the original Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joes, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 hamburger buns
- Optional: minced garlic, chili powder for added flavor
With these ingredients ready, follow these simple directions to create your Sloppy Joes:
- Heat a big skillet over medium heat and cook ground beef till its brown stirring now and then. Drain off extra fat.
- Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper cook about 3 or 4 minutes till they softens.
- Grab a bowl mix ketchup brown sugar Worcestershire sauce mustard salt and pepper then pour it into skillet stirring to mix good.
- Turn heat low and let it simmer around 10 minutes so the flavors all come together.
- Scoop meat mix onto buns and serve your Sloppy Joes right away.
Here are a few tips for perfecting your Sloppy Joes:
- Make sure you cook beef on medium heat else it might burn or stay pink.
- Let the sauce simmer long enough or it wont taste deep.
- Try adding different spices or fresh herbs if you want to mix up the flavors.
Ree Drummond’s Sloppy Joes arent just food theyre a fun thing you make and share with ppl you care about. Its got old school roots and a bit of new twists so its like a big hug in a sandwich.
Variations on Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joes
Even though the basic Sloppy Joes taste great you can change them up to fit your style and diet. Here some ideas to get you started:
- Turkey or Chicken Sloppy Joes: Swap ground beef for lean turkey or chicken to lighten it up. The sauce still brings flavor every time.
- Vegetarian Sloppy Joes: Use lentils or a can of beans with veggies instead of meat. You can even chop mushrooms or tempeh to make it meaty.
- Spicy Sloppy Joes: Drop in some chopped jalapeños or a dash of sriracha if you like heat.
- Barbecue Sloppy Joes: Mix BBQ sauce in place of ketchup for a smoky and sweet twist.
- Tex-Mex Sloppy Joes: Stir in cumin and chili powder and top with salsa or sliced avocado for a Southwestern vibe.
The Meal-Making Experience
Cooking Sloppy Joes isnt just dinner its a chance to hang out with family and make good memories. Here a few ideas to make it extra fun:
- Involve Your Kids: Let kids help by measuring or stirring the sauce or putting meat on buns. They will feel proud they helped cook.
- Family Recipe Night: Pick a night to cook together, swap old family stories or tips while you wait for the meat to simmer.
- Dining Experience: Turn it into a little party set the table, play music or even have a mini cook-off to see who makes the best twist.
Storage and Reheating
Got leftovers No problem they taste great the next day too. Follow these tips so they stay tasty:
- Storing Leftovers: Let Joes cool then put them in airtight box. Keep in fridge up to 3 days.
- Freezing Tips: For longer keep freeze safe containers and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge overnight before eating.
- Reheating Sloppy Joes: Warm in skillet over medium heat stirring now and then till hot. Or zap in microwave but cover so it dont dry out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What sides go well with Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joes?
They go great with simple sides like chips coleslaw or a green salad. You can also serve baked beans or corn on the cob for more filling meal.
Can I make Sloppy Joes ahead of time?
Yes you can cook it before time and store in fridge the flavor even gets better if it sits overnight before you heat it.
How do I make Sloppy Joes less messy?
To keep it neat use sturdier buns like whole grain or brioche they hold the meat better. A small side plate under your bun also help catch drips.
Are Sloppy Joes healthy?
You can make them healthier by using lean meats adding more veggies and swapping white buns for whole grain ones. That way you still enjoy flavors but with more nutrition.
Can I use a slow cooker for Sloppy Joes?
Definitely yes just brown meat and veggies then put everything in slow cooker with sauce. Cook on low 4-6 hours for best taste.
Conclusion
Cooking Ree Drummond Sloppy Joes isnt just dinner its a fun way to enjoy a classic comfort food with your family. You can mix in your favorite ingredients or keep it simple its up to you. Try the original or one of the easy dinner recipes and let the tasty smells fill your kitchen and make everyone smile.
pioneer woman sloppy joes
Equipment
- 1 large skillet
- 1 cutting board
- 1 measuring cups
- 1 measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 6 pieces hamburger buns For serving.
- optional pickles For topping.
- optional shredded cheese For topping.
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables soften, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic, and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, salt, and black pepper into the skillet. Mix everything together until well combined.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
- Toast the hamburger buns in a separate skillet or under a broiler if desired.
- Spoon the sloppy joe mixture generously onto the bottom half of each toasted bun. Add any desired toppings such as pickles or shredded cheese.
- Place the top half of the bun on each messy creation and serve hot.
