Description
Mississippi sloppy joes bring bold Southern comfort to dinner tables across America. Hearty ground beef simmers in tangy sauce, creating a satisfying meal that hungry families will devour with enthusiasm.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) ground beef
- 2 lbs (907 g) ground turkey
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, sliced
- 6 brioche or sandwich buns
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup (75 g) sliced pepperoncini peppers
- 2 tbsps (30 mL) pepperoncini juice
- ½ cup (56 g) shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- ½ cup (56 g) shredded provolone cheese (optional)
- 1 packet (28 g) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 packet (28 g) au jus gravy mix
- 1 cup (240 mL) beef broth
- ½ tsp (2.5 mL) black pepper
- ½ tsp (2.5 mL) smoked paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Sear ground beef in a hot skillet, breaking into crumbly texture until fully cooked and excess fat drains completely.
- Layering Foundation: Transfer caramelized meat into slow cooker, creating an even base layer while incorporating ranch seasoning and au jus mix for comprehensive flavor coverage.
- Moisture and Aromatics: Integrate softened butter chunks, pepperoncini peppers, chopped onions, and minced garlic, distributing ingredients evenly to enhance taste complexity.
- Liquid Integration: Gently pour beef broth around meat edges, allowing liquid to merge with seasonings while sprinkling freshly cracked black pepper and smoky paprika for additional depth.
- Slow Cooking Process: Stir all components thoroughly, ensuring complete coating, then secure slow cooker lid and allow mixture to transform into a rich, tender preparation.
- Temperature and Timing: Slow cook on low setting for 4-5 hours or high setting for 2-3 hours, monitoring until meat becomes incredibly tender and sauce reaches optimal consistency.
Notes
- Sear Meat Thoroughly: Create deep caramelization by ensuring ground beef browns completely, removing all pink color and excess fat for rich, concentrated flavor.
- Season Strategically: Distribute ranch and au jus mix evenly to guarantee consistent taste throughout the entire dish, preventing bland spots.
- Control Moisture Balance: Add beef broth carefully around meat edges, preventing over-saturation while maintaining optimal sauce consistency and tenderness.
- Pepper Selection Matters: Choose mild pepperoncini for subtle tang; adjust quantity based on heat preference to customize spice level without overwhelming the recipe.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg