Recipe for Mississippi Sloppy Joes

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If you’re looking for a delicious twist on the classic sloppy joe recipe, these Mississippi sloppy joes are sure to become a family favorite. Packed with big flavor from pepperoncini juice, ranch seasoning mix, and juicy ground beef, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, casual gatherings, or even a quick dinner after a long day.

This easy recipe takes the flavors of Mississippi pot roast and transforms them into sloppy joe sandwiches that the whole family will love. Whether you serve them with potato salad, potato chips, or french fries, you’ll have a meal that’s sure to please even the pickiest eater.

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Why You’ll Love These Mississippi Sloppy Joes

• It’s a quick dinner that comes together in one large skillet.
• Uses simple grocery store ingredients you likely already have.
• Bursting with great flavor thanks to the combination of ranch mix, beef base or au jus gravy mix, and sliced pepperoncini peppers.
• Perfect for family dinners, busy weeknights, or a casual gathering.
• Can easily be adapted for slow cooking if you want an easy slow cooker recipe.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Mississippi Sloppy Joes

• 1 to 1.5 lbs lean ground beef (ground turkey or ground chicken also work!)
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter (or pats of butter)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp ranch seasoning (or an ounce packet ranch dressing mix)
• 1 tbsp beef base (or au jus gravy mix)
• ¼ cup pepperoncini juice
• ½ cup beef broth or bone broth
• ¾ cup pepperoncini peppers, diced
• Hamburger buns (toasted bun recommended)
• Optional: mayo, provolone cheese, or pepperjack cheese

How to Make Mississippi Sloppy Joes

Brown The Meat And Onion Mixture

Place a large skillet on medium-high heat and heat oil or a small amount of olive oil if needed. Add 1 to 1.5 pounds of lean ground beef along with a large yellow onion that’s been finely diced. Stir often while breaking up the meat so it browns evenly. The onion mixture will soften and release flavor as the juicy ground beef cooks. Once browned, drain off any excess grease.

Add Butter And Seasonings

Lower the temperature slightly (still at a higher temperature than simmering) and stir in 4 tbsp of butter or unsalted butter. Let it melt into the meat. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning (or ranch dressing mix), and 1 tablespoon beef base or au jus gravy mix. These seasonings add great flavor and turn this into a delicious sloppy joe recipe with a Mississippi roast twist.

Pour In Liquids 

Add ¼ cup of pepperoncini juice and ½ cup beef broth or bone broth. Stir everything together so the ground beef mixture is fully coated. Allow the cooking process to continue as the liquid reduces—this helps concentrate the flavors and gives the meat sauce that rich, tangy taste.

Incorporate Pepperoncini Peppers

Add ¾ cup pepperoncini peppers, finely chopped. The sliced pepperoncini peppers bring a tangy kick and balance the richness of the beef. If you prefer a more traditional homemade sloppy joe, you can swap these for bell peppers or green pepper, but the Mississippi sloppy joes version gets its signature taste from the pepperoncinis. Cooking for a picky eater? Leave the peppers out of the pan and let everyone add them to their sandwich at the end.

Let The Mixture Thicken

As time passes and the liquid cooks down, you’ll notice the meat sauce becoming thicker. If you prefer a more saucy sloppy joe form, leave it as is. For a thicker mixture, whisk together 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tbsp water and stir it into the pan. Cook for a few more minutes until the sauce coats the top of the meat mixture nicely.

Prepare The Hamburger Buns

While the beef mixture simmers, toast your hamburger buns in a hot skillet or under the broiler. A toasted bun holds up better to the juicy ground beef and prevents it from getting soggy. For extra richness, spread a thin layer of olive oil or unsalted butter on the buns before toasting.

Assemble The Sandwiches

Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto each bun, piling it high for the best sloppy joes. Add mayo, provolone cheese, or pepperjack cheese on top of the meat mixture for extra flavor. You can also sprinkle red pepper flakes or drizzle hot sauce if you like heat.

Serve And Enjoy

Serve your Mississippi sloppy joes hot with potato chips, potato salad, or french fries on the side. This easy weeknight dinner is full of big flavor and perfect for family dinners or even casual gatherings.

Tips for the Best Sloppy Joes

• For an easy slow cooker Mississippi version, brown the beef and onion first, then transfer to the sprayed insert of a 6-quart slow cooker. Add butter, ranch dressing mix, au jus gravy mix, and pepperoncini juice. Slow cooks on low for 3-4 hours or high for 1-2 hours. This slow cooking method makes for easy weeknight dinners.
• If you want a thicker sloppy joe form, whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tbsp water and stir it into the mixture. Let cook until thickened.
• Toasting the buns adds texture and helps them hold up better under the juicy ground beef.
• For picky eaters, you can swap diced bell peppers or green pepper for the pepperoncinis.

Storage and Leftovers

Store leftover ground beef mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator once the ambient kitchen temperature cools it down. It will keep for up to 3 days. Reheat in a hot skillet over medium-high heat with a splash of broth or tbsp water to loosen the sauce.

Final Thoughts

This Mississippi sloppy joe recipe is an easy weeknight dinner with big flavor. From the juicy ground beef and onion mixture to the tangy pepperoncini juice and ranch mix, it’s a homemade sloppy joe with a Mississippi twist. Whether you’re cooking for family dinners, meal prepping for the week, or whipping up something for a casual gathering, these sloppy joe sandwiches will quickly become one of the best sloppy joes you’ve ever had.

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