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Texas Toast Sloppy Joes: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 91 reviews

Texas Toast Sloppy Joes combine rich, savory ground beef in a flavorful tomato-based sauce with smoky spices, served on thick, buttery, and crispy Texas toast. This ultimate comfort food recipe is perfect for a hearty meal, topped with cheddar cheese, pickled jalapeños, diced red onion, and coleslaw for added texture and zing.

Ingredients

Scale

Sloppy Joe Filling

  • 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/4 cup beef broth (or water)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Texas Toast

  • 8 slices Texas toast (frozen or fresh, about 3/4 inch thick)
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

Toppings (Optional)

  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Pickled jalapeños
  • Diced red onion
  • Coleslaw

Instructions

  1. Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease to reduce fat content.
  2. Sauté the Vegetables: Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes, developing a rich base for the sauce.
  3. Add the Garlic and Spices: Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cumin. Cook for about 1 minute more, until the mixture becomes fragrant and the spices bloom.
  4. Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with their juice, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, black pepper, salt, and beef broth or water. Stir well to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer.
  5. Simmer and Thicken: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. This allows flavors to meld and sauce to thicken. Add more broth or water if the mixture becomes too thick for the desired consistency.
  6. Taste and Adjust: After simmering, taste the sauce and adjust seasonings with salt or pepper as needed to balance flavors.
  7. Prepare Texas Toast (Oven Method): Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a small bowl, melt the butter, then stir in garlic powder and dried parsley. Brush both sides of each Texas toast slice generously with this garlic butter. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
  8. Prepare Texas Toast (Skillet Method): Alternatively, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Brush both sides of Texas toast with the garlic butter mixture and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until toasted and crispy.
  9. Prepare Texas Toast (Toaster Oven Method): Follow your toaster oven manufacturer’s instructions to toast the garlic buttered bread to desired crispiness.
  10. Assemble: Spoon a generous amount of the Sloppy Joe filling onto one slice of toasted Texas bread. Add your choice of toppings such as shredded cheddar, pickled jalapeños, diced red onion, or coleslaw for added texture and flavor. Top with another slice of Texas toast to create a hearty sandwich.
  11. Serve: Serve immediately while warm and the toast is still crispy, for maximum enjoyment of textures and flavors.

Notes

  • For leaner meat, substitute with ground turkey or chicken but adjust cooking time to prevent drying.
  • Texas toast can be substituted with thick-cut sandwich bread if unavailable.
  • Simmering longer helps deepen flavor; just keep an eye on moisture to prevent burning.
  • Add pickled jalapeños for a spicy kick if preferred.
  • Make it vegetarian by substituting ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives and vegetable broth.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of beef broth to loosen the sauce if needed.

Keywords: Sloppy Joes, Texas Toast, Comfort Food, Ground Beef Sandwich, Hearty Dinner

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