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    In the Kitch » Recipes » All Recipes

    Updated: Jan 16, 2024 · Published: May 26, 2021 by Joss Dyckson · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Electric Skillet Sloppy Joes

    Jump to Recipe

    Sloppy Joes are an American staple, and this electric skillet version has the same ease and tangy, savory flavor. The bell pepper and onion give a subtle crunch.

    Sloppy Joes on a serving dish.

    The tomato sauce has a good balance of tangy, savory and sweet with the ketchup, Worcestershire (wu-stuh-shr) sauce and brown sugar, and the toasted bun holds it all together in a messy but satisfying meal.

    If you're feeling extra adventurous, you can make your own ketchup from scratch. Read on and learn more about this classic American sandwich.

    Sloppy Joes on a serving dish with chips and spinach on the side.
    Jump to:
    • Sloppy Joes Origin
    • Tips & Tweaks
    • More Electric Skillet Recipes You Will Love
    • 📋Recipe

    Sloppy Joes Origin

    Sloppy Joes were popular in the 1930’s, since they could feed a lot of people with the inexpensive meat, tomato sauce, onion and bread that made for a cheap, filling meal.

    A surprising fact about sloppy Joes is that there are different origin stories to this sandwich. One story involves Ernest Hemingway bringing the sandwich idea over to Florida from Havana, Cuba. The sandwich name came from the bar owner, José García, and his messy establishment that earned him the nickname ‘Sloppy Joe’. The bar owner would serve the sandwich to tipsy customers.

    The Florida bar owner who acquired the idea from Hemingway, just happened to be a man named Joe Russell, so it worked. He took Hemingway’s suggestion of naming the bar after the sandwich, and they continue to serve them to this day.

    Another idea involves a diner cook from Iowa named Joe, who introduced the ground meat and tomato sauce mixture. No matter which story is true, it is a meal that is still enjoyed today by all ages and we are happy it made its way here.

    Sloppy Joes on a serving dish with chips and spinach on the side.

    Tips & Tweaks

    Bell peppers give a little crunch to the electric skillet sloppy Joes, but some may not enjoy the bitter taste. The reason why they are slightly bitter is because they are not fully ripe.

    Bell peppers start off as green. As they ripen, they turn into different colors and become sweeter, with red peppers being the sweetest. If you like the bitter contrast with the sweet tang of the tomato sauce, use the green pepper. If you prefer a sweeter pepper, I recommend the red pepper (it will also match the red tomato sauce, blending it in for those picky eaters).

    This might sound odd, but once in a while, I like to drizzle a bit of this easy, white cheddar nacho cheese sauce on top of the sloppy Joes!

    Sloppy Joes on a serving dish with chips.

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    Did you get sloppy with your Sloppy Joes? If you tried this Electric Skillet Sloppy Joes Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!

    📋Recipe

    Sloppy Joes on a serving dish with chips and spinach on the side.

    Electric Skillet Sloppy Joes

    Joss Dyckson
    Sloppy Joes are an American staple, and this electric skillet version has the same ease and tangy, savory flavor.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 17 minutes mins
    Total Time 27 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 374 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 cup ketchup
    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    • ⅓ cup water
    • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 pound lean ground beef
    • 2 cloves garlic - minced
    • ½ large yellow onion - diced
    • ½ green bell pepper - diced
    • 4 hamburger buns

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium bowl, whisk together the ketchup, tomato paste, water, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Set aside.
    • Heat a 12” electric skillet to 300 °F. Brown the ground beef in the skillet, breaking it apart into crumbles as it cooks (about 5 minutes)
    • Add the garlic, onions and bell peppers to the electric skillet and cook for 2 more minutes. Add the ketchup mixture. Mix well.
    • Reduce heat to 250 °F and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has thickened slightly.
    • Toast the buns. Serve the sloppy Joe mixture over the toasted buns.

    Equipment

    • 12" Electric Skillet

    Notes

    • If you like the bitter contrast with the sweet tang of the tomato sauce, use the green pepper. If you prefer a sweeter pepper, I recommend the red pepper (it will also match the red tomato sauce, blending it in for those picky eaters).
    • Store leftovers in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
    • Reheat the meat mixture in the electric skillet on medium heat or on the stove.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 374kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 30gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 1142mgPotassium: 764mgFiber: 2gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 425IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 112mgIron: 5mg

    Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.

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