Not-Your-Average Sloppy Joes

Not-Your-Average Sloppy Joes | Chef Erik Hoover of Cockeye BBQ prepares this recipe as part of Valley Spotlight’s “Quick Cook” challenge. The goal? Create a family meal for under $25 with ingredients from Grocery Outlet. Total cost at Grocery Outlet: $18.03. Prices reflect date of purchase. Pantry staples are not included in the total price. Recipe by Erik Hoover.

The breakdown: 1 tablespoon olive oil, 10 cents. 1 pound lean ground beef, $5.99; 1 small sweet onion (diced), 75 cents; ½ small green bell pepper (diced), 52 cents; 2 cloves garlic (minced), 16 cents; ½ cup ketchup, 25 cents; ⅓ cup water; 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 5 cents; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 20 cents; 2 teaspoons yellow mustard, 10 cents; ½ teaspoon coarse salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes; 4 toasted buns (for serving), $2.49; sweet potato chips, $3.99; Colby-Jack cheese, $1.99; jalapeño chips, $1.29. Total: $18.03.

PREP TIME: 5 minutes.
COOK TIME: 15 minutes.
SERVINGS: 4.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil.
1 pound lean ground beef
1 small sweet onion (diced).
½ small green bell pepper (diced).
2 cloves garlic (minced).
½ cup ketchup.
⅓ cup water.
1 tablespoon brown sugar.
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce.
2 teaspoons yellow mustard.
½ teaspoon coarse salt.
¼ teaspoon black pepper.
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes.
4 toasted buns (for serving).

Sweet potato chips.
Colby-Jack cheese.
Jalapeño chips.

Preparation

1. Warm olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef, onion, and bell pepper; breaking up the meat into crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook for about 5 minutes until beef is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
2. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Drain off grease.
3. Stir in tomato paste until thoroughly combined.
4. Add in ketchup, water, brown sugar, Worcestershire, mustard, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine.
5. Gently simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes until mixture has thickened.
6. Remove from heat and serve on toasted buns and enjoy!
7. Top with slices of Colby-Jack cheese before broiling. Serve with sweet potato and jalapeño chips.

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