Grab some hamburger buns and load them up with this Dr. Pepper sloppy joes recipe. This tasty, family-friendly meal is great for a busy night when you want something that requires minimal effort.
This sloppy joe ground beef recipe is savory and subtly sweet, thanks to Dr. Pepper in the sauce. It changes the flavor up from a classic sloppy joe recipe.
Do you love sloppy joes? If so, whip up this sloppy joe dip for entertaining. Cheesesteak sloppy joes, or give these chicken sloppy joes a try. All are great recipes.
Reasons You Will Enjoy These Dr. Pepper Sloppy Joes
- Wholesome ingredients that will help fuel your body and leave you feeling satisfied.
- Easy to make, so great for beginners in the kitchen or seasoned pros who need a quick meal.
- The Dr. Pepper adds a nice twist to the flavor! It was a total win in my books.
- A family-friendly meal that even picky eaters will come back asking for seconds.
- Minimal ingredients are needed, and it is a pretty affordable meal.
Ingredients
Beef: I used ground beef for this recipe, but feel free to substitute ground turkey, chicken, or even pork.
Butter: Butter helps flavor the vegetables and help them break down properly as you saute them.
Vegetables: Onion, green bell pepper, and garlic are used to help add dimension to the mixture.
Tomato Sauce: This will create the perfect tomato base for these sloppy joes.
Dr. Pepper: I do recommend using regular soda and not diet. The diet could offer a bit of a sour note since you are heating up the artificial sweeteners. You are welcome to try it.
Ketchup: A bit of ketchup helps to ramp up the zingy flavor.
Apple Cider Vinegar: This acidic vinegar will help balance all the flavors in the dish. Feel free to use white distilled vinegar if you need to.
Worcestershire Sauce: This helps to add a smoky, deeper flavor to the overall flavor of the sloppy joes.
Salt and Pepper: Season to taste.
Variations to Recipe
Meat: You can use any type of ground meat instead of ground beef. Just cook it and drain off any fat.
Vegetables: Feel free to swap or change up the veggies. If you don’t like peppers leave them out. Or finely chop a jalapeno for added flavor and a kick of spice.
Mushrooms: Finely chop the mushrooms and add them to the other veggies to add nutrients and density to the sloppy joe mixture.
Soda: If you want a twist on flavor, reach for cola, root beer, or another favorite soda to replace the Dr. Pepper. Any darker soda works best.
What To Serve With Sloppy Joes
Honestly, you can go simple and have some potato chips, cottage cheese, cucumber and onions, potato salad, or your other favorite sides.
Go big or straightforward, the choice is yours.
Storing Leftovers and Make Ahead
Make Ahead
Feel free to make your sloppy joes a day ahead of time if you like. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge until you are ready to eat, then reheat.
Refrigerate
Any leftovers should be placed in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Then, they can be reheated in the microwave, stovetop, or even a slow cooker.
Freezer
Freeze any Dr. Pepper sloppy joes you want to save for later. Freeze for 2-3 months. Then thaw in the fridge overnight or reheat straight from the freezer.
Tips For Making Dr. Pepper Sloppy Joes
Finely Dice Vegetables
When you are chopping up the veggies finely dice so you get more of the flavor dispersed easily without being overpowering when you go to eat it up. Make sure to chop evenly.
Cook Meat Fully
Whn you are cooking the beef make sure to fully cook it up fully. Make sure there is no more pink in the meat, and then drain off any grease or fat. Then return to the pan and move to the next steps.
Saute
Allowing the mixture to cook a bit it is going to allow the flavors to blend really well together. By simmering you are going to deepen the flavors of the sloppy joes.
FAQs
Can I make sloppy joes ahead of time?
Yes, you can make these 1-2 days in advance. Then warm up in the microwave or on the stovetop. Just ensure you store in an airtight container in the fridge until you are ready to eat.
How can I adjust the sweetness of the sauce?
You will find using less Dr. Pepper is going to help reduce the sweetness of the mixture. Or add a bit more Worcestershire sauce and a bit more vinegar to reduce the sweet in the mixture.
Can I make sloppy joes in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can cook the ground beef in a skillet and then transfer beef and veggies to the slow cooker. Then cook on low for 5-6 hours. This will help blend all the flavors even more.
More Easy Dinners
Dr Pepper Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion small diced
- 1 small green bell pepper small diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 3/4 cup Dr. Pepper
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a skillet you will turn to medium heat. Then melt the butter and add the onion and pepper. Cook until softened and hey turn golden brown. This takes around 10 minutes.
- Add in garlic and once fragrant move to the next step.
- Add in the ground beef and cook until no longer pink and fully cooked. This takes around 8-10 minutes.
- Drain off any fat.
- Add in the Dr. Pepper, tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper. Mix o combine.
- Simmer for 10 minute stirring often. It will thicken as it cooks.
- Serve on buns, over potatoes, etc.
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