Classic Sloppy Joes Cooks Illustrated

2 T. water 

1/2 t. baking soda 

1 lb. 85% ground beef 

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1/2 t.salt divided 

2 t. vegetable oil 

1/2 onion chopped fine 

2 garlic cloves, minced 

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2 t. brown sugar, packed 

2 t. paprika

 1/4 red pepper

 1/4 tomato paste 

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1/3 ketchup

 1 T. red wine vinegar or regular 

1 T. Worcestershire sauce

 1/2 t. cornstarch

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 4 hamburger buns

 1. Combine 1 T. water and 1/2 t. baking soda. Toss beef with the baking soda and add 1/2 t. salt until mixed. 

2. Now, heat the oil until hot and add the onion and remaining 1/8 t. baking soda. Cook until soft,3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and stir until fragrant. Stir in sugar, paprika,peper and 1/8 t. salt. about 1 minute. Add paste and cook 3-4 minutes.

 3. Add beef. Cok until no longer pink. Mash beef with potato masher until fine textured. Add ketchup, vinegar and Worcestershire and stir well.

 4. Combine cornstarch and 1 T. water. Pour into beef mix. Cook until it thickens. Season and eat on buns! I've tried this recipe with a combination of turkey and beef. I like it much better with just beef. August 10, 2020 Cooks Illus.

This is tasty but maybe too much work for sloppy joes. I think that I prefer the simpler version of sloppy joes that I make. This flavor is a little more subtle than the other one.