Description
Mississippi Sloppy Joes deliver explosive flavor straight from Southern kitchens, blending tangy beef with rich cheese and zesty seasonings. Hearty sandwiches promise comfort and satisfy hungry crowds with minimal kitchen effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 packet (28 g) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 packet (28 g) au jus gravy mix
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, sliced
- ½ cup (75 g) sliced pepperoncini peppers + 2 tbsps (30 ml) juice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240 ml) beef broth
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 6 brioche or sandwich buns
- ½ cup (56 g) shredded cheddar or provolone cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Sizzle ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until golden and crumbled, efficiently draining any lingering fat.
- Flavor Infusion: Transfer browned beef to slow cooker, introducing ranch seasoning, au jus mix, butter, pepperoncini, diced onion, minced garlic, beef broth, cracked black pepper, and smoky paprika; gently incorporate all ingredients for harmonious blending.
- Slow Cooking Process: Secure lid and allow mixture to simmer and meld flavors on LOW temperature for 4-5 hours or HIGH temperature for 2-3 hours, developing rich, deep taste profile.
- Serving Preparation: Once cooking cycle completes, use two forks to shred and separate meat into tender, succulent strands, ensuring even distribution of robust seasonings.
- Final Assembly: Generously pile saucy, seasoned meat onto soft hamburger buns, creating classic Mississippi-style sloppy joe sandwiches that promise messy, delectable enjoyment.
Notes
- Remove excess fat from ground beef to prevent greasy, heavy sloppy joes and ensure a cleaner, more robust flavor profile.
- Adjust ranch and au jus mix quantities based on personal taste preferences, starting with less and gradually adding more for controlled flavor intensity.
- Use two forks to break down meat during cooking, creating a more tender and cohesive filling that absorbs seasonings better.
- Add diced jalapeños or increase black pepper for extra heat, or reduce pepperoncini for a milder version suitable for sensitive palates.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg