Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

• 1 small yellow onion
• 1 medium green bell pepper
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tbs olive oil
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 tsp kosher salt, divided, plus more as needed
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• ½ cup ketchup
• ¼ C water
• 2 tbs Dijon or yellow mustard
• 1 tbs Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp packed dark brown sugar or molasses
• 4 to 6 toasted hamburger buns, for serving
• Pickle chips, for serving (optional)

Directions

1. Finely chop 1 small yellow onion and 1 medium green bell pepper (about 1 cup each).
2. Finely grate or mince 2 garlic cloves.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering.
4. Add 1 pound lean beef and season with ½ tsp of the kosher salt. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until browned, 6 to 8 minutes (it might not be cooked all the way through). Use a slotted spoon to transfer to a medium bowl.
5. Reduce the heat to medium and add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet.
6. Season with the remaining ½ tsp kosher salt and ¼ tsp black pepper. Cook until the vegetables are tender but not browned, 6 to 8 minutes.
7. Add 1 tsp chili powder and 1 tsp paprika and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
8. Return the beef and any juices to the skillet. Add tomato sauce, ketchup, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, dark brown sugar, and ¼ C water
9. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
10. Cook until thick and saucy, 10 to 15 minutes. Taste and season with more kosher salt and black pepper as needed.
11. Divide the filling between 4 to 6 toasted hamburger buns, and top with pickle chips if desired.