Modern American Cuisine
Sloppy Joes with Pickles and Crunchy Slaw
The iconic Sloppy Joe is a staple of American comfort food, loved for its messy eating and explosion of flavors. Lean ground beef is simmered in a rich, tangy, and sweet tomato sauce until incredibly tender and deeply infused with warm spices. Spooned over soft, toasted buns, this hearty meat filling creates a deeply satisfying sandwich experience. Crispy, tart pickle slices bring a necessary brightness, while a cool, crunchy cabbage slaw balances the rich texture of the warm meat perfectly.
Dishday
Recipe overview
- Total time
- 30 min
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cooking
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Cuisine
- Modern American Cuisine
Nutrition
per serving
- Calories
- 490 kcal
- Protein
- 24 g
- Fat
- 22 g
- Carbs
- 46 g
- Fiber
- 3 g
Step by step
Method
- 01
Finely chop the onion and garlic
Finely chop the onion and garlic. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat, add the onion and garlic, and sauté for about 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- 02
Add the ground beef to the skillet
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes, breaking the meat apart with a spatula into fine crumbles, until it is fully browned and any excess liquid has evaporated.
- 03
Stir in the tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar,…
Stir in the tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, and half of the salt and pepper. Simmer uncovered on low heat for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and turns glossy.
- 04
While the meat is simmering, shred the cabbage very thinly
While the meat is simmering, shred the cabbage very thinly. Toss with a pinch of salt and massage with your hands to soften. Whisk mayonnaise and apple cider vinegar together, then mix into the cabbage.
- 05
Slice the pickles into thin rounds
Slice the pickles into thin rounds. Slice the burger buns in half and toast the cut sides on a dry skillet over medium heat for 1 minute until lightly crisp.
- 06
Assemble the sandwiches
Assemble the sandwiches: place pickle slices on the bottom bun, layer with a generous scoop of the hot meat mixture, top with a handful of the crunchy slaw, and close with the top bun.
Dishday
Useful advice
Cooking tip
The meat filling can be made in large batches ahead of time and frozen; just reheat it thoroughly before building your fresh sandwiches.
How to serve
Assemble the sandwiches right before serving to prevent the buns from getting soggy. Serve with plenty of napkins, as the filling is meant to spill out.
How to store
Store the cooked meat mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep buns and slaw stored separately.
Note
For an elevated flavor, use brioche burger buns—their buttery texture cuts through the acidity of the tomato sauce beautifully.
