French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes
Elevate your sloppy joe game with this irresistible French Onion Beef Sloppy Joe recipe. Juicy, seasoned ground beef is simmered in a rich French onion-inspired sauce and piled high on toasted buns with melted Gruyere cheese for a flavor explosion that's both comforting and sophisticated.
Equipment
- Large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven
- Spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Baking Sheet
- Oven
- Broiler
- Small bowl (for melted butter)
- Pastry brush (for buttering buns)
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds ground beef 80/20 blend
- 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup low sodium beef broth
- ½ cup dry red wine Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 8 sourdough or brioche buns
- 4 ounces Gruyere cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- Fresh parsley, chopped optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 25-30 minutes, or until they are deeply golden brown and caramelized. If they start to stick, add a splash of water or broth.
- Add the minced garlic during the last minute of cooking.
- Push the caramelized onions to one side of the skillet. Add the ground beef to the other side and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Stir the cooked ground beef into the caramelized onions.
- Add the beef broth, red wine (if using), Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, thyme, and bay leaf to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will meld together.
- Remove the bay leaf before serving. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Preheat your oven's broiler.
- Slice the buns in half and brush the cut sides with melted butter.
- Toast the buns under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Watch them carefully to prevent burning!
- Spoon the French onion beef mixture generously onto the bottom buns.
- Top with shredded Gruyere cheese.
- Place the assembled sloppy joes on a baking sheet and broil for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
For best results, caramelize the onions slowly over medium-low heat. If the onions start to burn, reduce the heat further and add a tablespoon of water or beef broth to deglaze the pan. The French onion beef mixture can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat thoroughly before assembling the sloppy joes. Gruyere cheese can be substituted with Swiss, Provolone, or Monterey Jack cheese. For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the beef mixture.