Jj’s Ultimate Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joe and BBQ recipes are dime a dozen, but this recipe stands alone as the perfect blend of complex flavors to deliver a rich full-body gastronomic experience. This “from scratch” recipe is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser at your next party.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 lbs ground beef
• 1  yellow sweet onion, chopped
• 1  red bell pepper, chopped (not minced)
• 12  ounces tomato sauce
• 2  garlic cloves, minced
• 1  tablespoon dried ancho chile powder or 1  tablespoon chili powder
• 1  teaspoon sweet Hungarian paprika
• 1  teaspoon  unsweetened cocoa
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  colman's dry mustard
• 1  tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1  tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1  tablespoon molasses
• 1  tablespoon honey (Wisconsin clover)
• 1  dash  celery salt (about1/4 tsp)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

1. Brown 1-1/2 lbs ground venison with chopped onion, minced garlic, and red pepper. Drain the fat off ( if any ) and add the all ingredients — honey and cocoa should be added last.
2. Stir and simmer for 1/2 hour and taste. If too vinegary, add brown sugar, if too sweet add a little vinegar — add a little at a time to hone in the taste. Serve on fresh-baked potato rolls, although any hamburger type bun will suffice. Garnish with kosher garlic pickle.