Smash Burger Sloppy Joes (Printable)

Smashed ground beef in tangy sauce with melted cheddar on toasted buns — bold, saucy, and satisfying.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meat & Main

01 - 1 lb ground beef, 80/20 blend preferred
02 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1/2 cup dill pickles, finely chopped

→ Sauce & Seasonings

06 - 1/2 cup ketchup
07 - 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
08 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 - Salt to taste

→ To Serve

13 - 4 hamburger buns, toasted
14 - 4 slices American or cheddar cheese
15 - Sliced tomato, shredded lettuce (optional)
16 - Butter for toasting buns

# How to Prepare:

01 - Set a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter, allowing it to melt and coat the surface.
02 - Add the ground beef to the skillet and spread it out evenly. Press down firmly with a spatula to create a smashed crust. Let it cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes until a deep golden-brown sear forms, then break the meat apart into crumbles.
03 - Stir in the finely diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
04 - Add the chopped dill pickles, ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Stir thoroughly to combine and let the mixture simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until thick and saucy.
05 - While the meat mixture simmers, butter the cut sides of the hamburger buns and toast them on a separate pan or griddle until golden brown and crisp.
06 - Lay the cheese slices directly over the hot meat mixture and allow them to melt slightly from the residual heat, then remove the skillet from the burner.
07 - Spoon the cheesy beef mixture generously onto the bottom half of each toasted bun. Add sliced tomato and shredded lettuce if desired, then cap with the top bun. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The smash technique creates crispy, caramelized edges on the beef that a regular Sloppy Joe never dreams of achieving.
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, which means dinner is on the table in about thirty five minutes with barely any cleanup.
  • Pickles cooked directly into the sauce deliver a tangy punch that makes people ask what your secret is.
02 -
  • Walking away while the beef smashes is the hardest part but moving it too early means you lose the crispy edges that make this recipe special.
  • If the sauce looks too thin after five minutes of simmering, just give it two more minutes because it thickens dramatically at the very end.
03 -
  • Press the beef thin and walk away, the caramelized crust is the entire point of the smash technique and patience is the only way to get it.
  • Use a sturdy spatula and lean your weight into it, a flimsy tool will not give you the even contact needed for proper browning.

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