Let’s be real. Sloppy Joes from the cafeteria were just plain scary. Yes. Yes they were.
And that scene in Billy Madison didn’t help erase that from my memory. You know…the one…the boys are sitting around the lunch table, talking about Miss Vaughn and the lunch lady comes around screaming, “MORE SLOPPY JOES,” in that I-smoked-too-many-cigarettes-and-now-I-have-a-tank voice…I love that movie so much–it’s a masterpiece, I swear.
Despite meaty, sloppy sandwiches still scarin’ me a little, they have a place deep down in my 3rd grade awkward heart.
I figured it was time to bring ’em back, cute-ify them, give ’em an upgrade…they’re just too good not to have a moment.
Project Cute-ify Sloppy Joes
Step 1: I picked meat that wasn’t scary. Pretty easy, right!? I decided on ground sirloin that was 90% lean. Since I was cooking it on the stovetop, I knew I’d end up having to drain the fat anyway, so I went with something lean. Let’s skip steps! Also, if you wanted to go even leaner, I bet these would be delicious with ground turkey.
Step 2: I properly seasoned that shiz. Yeah, I’m not talking just a little S&P; I’m talking onions, yellow pepper, lots of garlic, cayenne and a little brown sugar. P.S. I dig spicy. The 1/2 teaspoon below just gives you a small kick. If you want a major one, I’d double it. LIVE ON THE SLOPPY JOE EDGE!
Step 3: I made them small a.k.a sliders. Everything is cuter in its smaller form. Everything.
Step 4: I picked some good, soft bread. Sweet Hawaiian Rolls, to be specific. And since the softness was important, I didn’t really toast the buns–just warmed them in the oven for like, 5 minutes.
Step 5: I added greenery. I debated on this one. I was going to add coleslaw. I even did a little quick pickle and radish situation that I decided against. Because in the end I wanted them to have a soft, melt-into-each-other type texture. So I added a small amount of microgreens. SUCH a good idea. Just a hint of freshness.
Step 6: I served these sloppy joes with beer. We’re not in the cafeteria anymore. We’re full-fledged grown-ups now! Let’s celebrate and get tipsy on beer all while eating a a sloppy joe. Paying taxes/having other small humans/having a mortgage has never been SO fun!
P.S. Besides the taxes, I do none of those.
P.P.S. Isn’t Worcestershire the most annoying English word like, ever?!
Slider Sloppy Joes
Adapted from Martha Stewart
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
1/2 yellow bell pepper, diced
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground beef
1 can (15 ounce can) tomato puree
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon cayenne (1/4 teaspoon if you’re adverse to heat)
1/4 tablespoon brown sugar
1 large handful of microgreens
12 slider buns, split and warmed
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are softened, 5 to 7 minutes.
Add ground beef to skillet. Cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until it is no longer pink, 6 to 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook, 1 to 2 minutes, until fragrant.
Stir in tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar into beef mixture in skillet. And add cayenne (if desired). Simmer until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally, 5 to 6 minutes.
Season the mixture with more salt and pepper, as desired. Spoon onto buns, add microgreens, and serve immediately.
Yields about 12 sliders
40 Comments
Sooo cute!! And I love that movie.. I used to copy his dance down the stair case – got a kick out of it!
“I’ll tumble for you.” Yes. That song/dance is amazing.
Oh these are adorable. The only difficulty would be stopping at one..or two…or three…
I can’t rem the last time I had one of these! Or, one of yesteryear!
yes, worcestershire IS the worst word ever. i hate it.
Sloppy joes are my childhood favorite 🙂
I love the little rolls…what is it about Hawaiian rolls that makes them so good? I think I’d like these much better than regular sloppy joes. I know they’re supposed to be sloppy, but I need a bib and a spoon. These look like much more fun.
what a cute little slider! we haven’t had sloppy joes in forever and i’m thinking that changes this week….
These are so cute! They would be perfect for a weekend football party! My boyfriend would just love these!
Not only is everything cuter in its smaller form, but to me, everything tastes better in it’s smaller form – I am a sucker for anything miniature!
Gosh! I haven’t had a sloppy joe in forever! Now I’m craving one! Better make these soon 🙂
Holy crap I’m posting sloppy joe sliders on Wed! Please don’t think I’m copying. I’m not.
And UH, yes – Worcheestsefreetshire freaking sucks to spell. And say.
Blogging zeitgeist! It happens. No biggie! 🙂
It’s worse-ta-sure. Except in the east where I’ve heard it called woos-ta-sure.
And the school cooks in my school were excellent. Here’s to Margaret Foley, Marge Dykstra and those wonderful ladies who served us with love.
1) Everything really is better in miniature. Hence why I had mini cupcakes at my wedding. They were just so much cuter (and, ahem, cheaper)!
2) I can easily eat a package of plain hawaiian rolls in a couple of days. Or a day. Don’t judge.
3) The hubs has mentioned cloppy joes recently. Which means I need to make these asap.
4) Beer makes everything better
5) I like ending on 5 more than 4
Totally not judging. Promise.
Yum! These look fantastic!
Mini sloppy joes? I like the way you think.
I loooove a good – and real – sloppy joe! These sliders are adorable!!
Who knew sloppy joes could be so stinking cute! Thanks for the inspiration! Now i’m off to try to cute-ify some other things – like broccoli casserole. Ciao!
“Stop looking at me swan!”
I love that you used Hawaiian rolls! Soooo yummy!
These looks so, so good, I want several right now+plus the beer. Becaue then my work day would be less irksome. And yes, worcestershire is the most annoying word. Like, why are there so many extra letters that don’t get pronounced? or are we just pronouncing it wrong? I wonder…
Oh my gosh! I want these for lunch right now! I’m mildly obsessed with mini food, these are such a great idea.
I love the microgreens… Such a perfect way to top things off!
Cheers to everything being cuter in smaller form. And to getting tipsy on beer. Hellz yeah! 😉
I make homemade sloppy joes all the time and they are definitely delicious. This recipe looks a lot fancier than my last-minute-throw-it-together-and-hope-I-have-all-the-stuff-I-need ones that I usually make. Not to mention these are a heapload cuter as well.
Sloppy Joes is something I’ve never tried to make but like eating. You’re turned out beautifully.
I still get these in my lunchroom ;]
Mmmm these look so good! I’ll have to figure out how to make them vegetarian but it shouldn’t be too hard. Thanks!
Hi Lily, A friend of mine tweeted at me and told me she made them with veggie meat and said they came out amazing!
These look great!
This sounds great! But you simply must try some Himalayan pink salt. I get mine from Sustainable Sourcing https://secure.sustainablesourcing.com. The flavor is so much better than regular salt! Thanks for sharing this recipe—I can’t wait to try it!
Sliders are among my fav binging food. Gonna try to make these!
Love sloppy joes! It’s actually a food my mom makes for me when we go home to NY. I like the addition of the greens to freshen them up a bit.
Okay see this is WAY better then the Manwhich crap my mom loves and holds dear to hear heart. She would never part with it. I bet if i made these she wouldn’t know what to do.
I will def give this recipe a go! I love sloppy joes, but my Irish husband does NOT dig them at all. Still, I am convinced that I can persuade him to change his mind. Maybe this will do it! Thanks for sharing. x
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Made these about a week and a half ago. About to make them again. Because SLOPPY JOES.
hahaha bc SLOPPY JOES. i feel you!