She Strengthens

Campfire Classic: The Sloppy Joe’s Rich History and Delicious Versatility

A Flavorful Mystery

The sloppy Joe, a campfire favorite, boasts a loose filling that defies boundaries – a burger without limits. Its origins are shrouded in mystery, with some attributing its invention to a 1930s tavern in Sioux City, Iowa. While its past remains unclear, one thing is certain: this filling is a culinary chameleon, pairing perfectly with pasta, baked potatoes, or rice.

Beyond the Bun

To experience the sloppy Joe in its classic form, simply spoon 1/2 cup of the filling over half a toasted hamburger bun and top with the other half. But don’t stop there! This flavorful mixture is also a perfect match for our cheese-stuffed Juicy Lucy Burger recipe.

Yield and Ingredients

This recipe yields 8 servings and requires:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 large carrot, minced
• 1 celery stalk, minced
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup tomato paste
• 2 1/2 cups tomato puree
• 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 pounds ground beef round

Simmering to Perfection

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Next, sauté the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, tomato puree, vinegar, molasses, and Worcestershire sauce, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it gently simmer for 45-60 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little water to achieve the perfect consistency.

Brown and Blend

In another large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until it’s no longer pink, breaking it apart into small pieces. Drain excess fat from the skillet, then add the sauce and simmer over medium-low heat for at least 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend together seamlessly.

A Recipe Born from Tradition

This sloppy Joe recipe is excerpted from The Great Big Burger Book by Jane Murphy and Liz Yeh Singh, with permission from The Harvard Common Press. The accompanying photo is courtesy of Ruslan Mitin/Shutterstock.