French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes (Print Version)
Savory ground beef and caramelized onions with melted cheese on brioche buns for a comforting sandwich.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb ground beef, 80/20 fat ratio preferred
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
02 - 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Dairy
04 - 4 slices provolone cheese (Swiss or Gruyère acceptable)
→ Breads
05 - 4 brioche buns or hamburger rolls
→ Liquids
06 - 1/2 cup beef broth, low sodium preferred
07 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
→ Pantry & Spices
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
11 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (1/2 teaspoon dried)
12 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional to taste
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus additional to taste
# How-To:
01 - Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized and golden brown, approximately 12–15 minutes.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and fresh thyme leaves. Continue cooking for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
03 - Push caramelized onions to the perimeter of the skillet. Add ground beef to the center and break apart with a spatula. Cook until fully browned and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Sprinkle flour evenly over the beef and onion mixture. Stir thoroughly to coat all ingredients. Cook for 1 minute to remove raw flour taste.
05 - Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well to combine. Allow mixture to simmer for 3–4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
06 - Lightly toast brioche buns under a broiler or in a dry skillet until golden brown and crisp.
07 - Spoon generous portions of the beef and onion mixture onto the bottom half of each toasted bun. Place a slice of provolone cheese on top. Broil for 1–2 minutes until cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
08 - Place the top bun on each sandwich and serve immediately while hot and cheesy.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The caramelized onions take this from a quick weeknight dinner to something that feels like it came from a restaurant kitchen
- You get all the comfort of sloppy Joes with that deep, savory French onion flavor nobody can quite put their finger on
02 -
- Resist the urge to rush the onions or you'll miss that deep, sweet flavor that makes this recipe special
- Drain the beef before making the sauce or the filling will be too loose and your buns will fall apart
03 -
- Slice your onions as thin and uniform as possible so they caramelize evenly
- Add a splash of dry sherry or white wine to the onions during the last few minutes of cooking for extra depth