Classic Sloppy Joes

• servings: 4 servings
• total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

2 tablespoons water, divided

1/2 teaspoon baking soda, divided

1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef

1/2 teaspoon table salt, divided

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

1/2 onion, chopped fine

2 garlic clove, minced

2 teaspoons packed brown sugar, plus extra for seasoning

2 teaspoons paprika

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/4 cup tomato paste

1/3 cup ketchup

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, plus extra for seasoning

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon cornstarch

4 hamburger bun

Directions

Note: Tossing the beef with baking soda in step 1 helps keep it tender and juicy; adding baking soda to the skillet with the onion in step 2 helps the onion break down. You may substitute 90 percent lean ground beef in this recipe, but the cooked mixture will be a bit less tender. Serve the Sloppy Joes with pickle chips, if desired.

Combine 1 tablespoon water and ½ teaspoon baking soda in small bowl. In large bowl, toss beef with baking soda mixture and ½ teaspoon salt until thoroughly combined. Set aside.

Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and remaining ⅛ teaspoon baking soda and stir to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in sugar, paprika, pepper flakes, and remaining ⅛ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring constantly, until paprika is fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, until paste is rust-colored, 3 to 4 minutes.

Add beef and cook, breaking up meat with wooden spoon, until beef is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Mash beef with potato masher until fine-textured, about 1 minute. Add ketchup, vinegar, and Worcestershire and stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits.

Combine cornstarch and remaining 1 tablespoon water in small bowl, then pour cornstarch mixture over beef and stir to incorporate. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens and coats beef, about 1 minute. Season with salt, extra sugar, and extra vinegar to taste. Spoon beef mixture onto buns and serve.

Nutrition

• Calories: 447
• Total Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 77 miligrams
• Sodium: 859 miligrams
• Total Carbohydrate: 34 g
• Total Sugars: 13 g
• Protein: 27 g