Description
How to make French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes with savory beef and sweet caramelized onions that are perfect for feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
- Base & Main Components:
- 2 lbs lean ground beef
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 cups low sodium beef broth
- 12 hamburger buns, toasted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Flavor Builders:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup dry red wine (e.g., Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Seasonings & Aromatics:
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Finishing & Toppings:
- 1.5 cups shredded Gruyere cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot. Add thinly sliced onions and cook over medium-low heat for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden brown and sweet. This builds the essential flavor base.
- Brown Beef: Increase heat to medium-high. Add ground beef to the pot, breaking it up. Cook until browned, then drain excess fat. Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Build Flavor: Deglaze the pot with red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, dried thyme, and the bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer Sauce: Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the sauce for your French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes has thickened to your desired consistency. Remove the bay leaf.
- Assemble Joes: While the sauce simmers, lightly toast the hamburger buns. Spoon a generous amount of the rich French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes mixture onto each toasted bun. Top with shredded Gruyere cheese.
- Finish & Serve: Place the assembled sloppy joes under a broiler for 1-2 minutes until the Gruyere is bubbly and melted. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve these ultimate French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes immediately.
Notes
Don’t rush caramelizing the onions; slow cooking ensures essential sweet, deep flavor for your sloppy joes.
Store the beef mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days; keep buns separate.
Gruyere is best, but Swiss, provolone, or mozzarella can be substituted for a delicious, melted cheese topping.
Serve hot on well-toasted buns immediately after broiling; keep buns separate until serving to prevent sogginess.
The beef mixture can be prepared up to 3 days in advance; reheat gently before assembling onto fresh buns.
**Allergy Information:** Dairy, Eggs, Gluten, Soy, Fish