Classic American-style Sloppy Joe Burger

Enjoy this authentic, sweet and savory American-style Sloppy Joe burger. Rich, saucy ground meat served in a toasted bun for a comforting, casual meal.

Ingredients

• 500 g pork
• 1 onion
• 1 green chili
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp mustard
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 burger buns
• 2 tbsp oil

Instructions

1. 1Slice the pork

   

   Place the pork on a wooden cutting board and cut it into thick slices. Preparing the meat into smaller pieces helps ensure it can be processed or minced evenly in the next step.

   Tip: Keep your fingers tucked while slicing to ensure safety.
2. 2Mince the pork

   

   Transfer the sliced pork into a food processor. Pulse until the pork is finely minced, which provides the right texture for the meat sauce burger.

   Tip: Do not over-process the meat to maintain a slightly textured bite.
3. 3Chop the onion

   

   Place the peeled onion on the wooden cutting board and finely chop it into small pieces. These onion bits will add sweetness and depth to the meat sauce.

   Tip: Use a sharp knife to chop the onion cleanly and minimize tearing of the layers.
4. 4Chop the green chili

   

   Carefully mince the green chili pepper on the cutting board. This will add a subtle heat to the burger sauce.

   Tip: Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling chili peppers to avoid irritation.
5. 5Press the garlic

   

   Use a garlic press to crush the garlic cloves directly into a small bowl. This ensures the garlic is uniform and releases maximum flavor when sautéed.

   Tip: You can leave the skins on the garlic cloves if your press is strong enough to handle them.
6. 6Sauté aromatics

   

   Heat oil in a pan over low heat. Add the minced garlic and onions, stirring them until they become fragrant and softened.

   Tip: Keep the heat low so the garlic does not burn, which can make the sauce bitter.
7. 7Stir-fry the minced pork

   

   Add the prepared minced pork to the pan with the sautéed aromatics. Stir-fry the meat patiently over medium-low heat, breaking it apart with your spatula, until all moisture has evaporated and the meat is fully browned.

   Tip: Be sure to stir patiently until the moisture is gone to ensure the meat develops a good texture and flavor.
8. 8Add green chili

   

   Once the minced pork is browned and the moisture has evaporated, add the chopped green chili to the pan. Continue to stir-fry briefly to incorporate the chili and allow its flavor to meld with the meat.

   Tip: Keep the heat low during this stage to prevent the chili or meat from burning.
9. 9Season the meat sauce

   

   Add the tomato paste, mustard, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce to the pan. Stir the mixture thoroughly over low heat until all the seasonings are evenly combined and the sauce is well-integrated with the meat.

   Tip: Using low heat here is critical to prevent the sugars and pastes from burning on the bottom of the pan.
10. 10Simmer to thicken

    

    Pour a small bowl of water into the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce to low heat. Allow the sauce to slowly reduce and thicken until it reaches a rich, coating consistency, completing the American-style meat sauce.

    Tip: This slow reduction process helps concentrate the sweet and sour flavors of the burger sauce.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions