Chef John's Sloppy Joes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds extra lean ground beef
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup water
• 3/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
  • Add all ingredients to list

  • Directions:

  • Combine the ground beef and onion in a cold skillet, place the skillet onto a stove burner, and turn the heat to medium; cook and stir until the beef is crumbly and browned. Stir the garlic and bell pepper into the beef mixture; continue cooking and stirring until the vegetables are tender, 2 to 3 more minutes. Add 1 cup of water. Mix in ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper. Pour in 1 more cup of water. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook until the mixture becomes very thick, 30 to 45 minutes. Adjust salt and pepper as needed. Season with cayenne.