- The Texas toast doesn’t fall apart like regular buns (hallelujah!), so you can actually eat this without wearing half of it.
- It’s ready in about 30 minutes, which is perfect when you’re hangry and need food NOW.
- The buttery, garlicky toast makes everything taste ten times better. Everything.
- Kids love it, adults love it, even your picky brother-in-law will love it.
- You probably have most of the ingredients already sitting in your pantry right now.
- It’s one of those meals that feels fancy but is actually super simple.
- Leftovers are amazing – just reheat the meat and toast fresh bread.
What You’re Gonna Need
For the Sloppy Joe Meat:
- 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 is perfect – you want some fat for flavor)
- 1 medium onion, diced (don’t go tiny here, we want some texture)
- 1 bell pepper, diced (green, red, yellow – whatever’s on sale)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (or more, because garlic is life)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste (the secret weapon for deep flavor)
- 1 cup ketchup (yeah, I said it – ketchup is good)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (balances the tang)
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (don’t even try to pronounce it, just use it)
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard (the cheap stuff works fine)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (brightens everything up)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (regular paprika is fine if that’s what you’ve got)
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to your spice tolerance)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup beef broth (or water if you’re out)
For the Texas Toast:
- 8 thick slices of Texas toast bread (the frozen stuff is totally fine)
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (because more garlic is always better)
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (makes it extra fancy)
Optional Toppings (because we’re not savages):
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Pickles (dill or sweet, your choice)
- Sliced jalapeños for heat
- Coleslaw for crunch
- Extra pickles (seriously, pickles make everything better)