Looking for something unfussy to make for dinner?

Or maybe you want something spicy and flavor-packed to serve at your football get together. Either way, the answer is these spicy jalapeño sloppy joes! Toasted buns topped with a sweet and spicy sloppy Joe beef mixture, topped with cheese, jalapeños and crispy fried onions.

Floor to ceiling flavor with flavor-packed heat and it can be on your table in well under an hour. <– my kind of recipe.

To Make These Spicy Sloppy Joes Set out:

yellow onion – Adds a subtle sweet onion flavor.
jalapeño – Adds flavor-packed spicy flavor.
garlic – Adds distinct punchy flavor.
lean ground beef – I like to use 90/10 but use your go-to!
ketchup – Is the base of the sloppy joes sauce. Use kitchen-made or store-bought.
water – This is added to thin the sauce a tad.
vinegar – Gives the sauce the tangy zip.
mustard – Lends distinct flavor.
Worcestershire sauce – Adds some depth and flavor. Use from-scratch or store-bought.
sugar – Adds a touch of sweetness and helps balance flavors and acidity.
paprika – Lends subtle color and flavor.
cayenne – Gives the sauce added kick and flavor.
kosher salt – Enhances the flavors in this method.
black pepper – This will add some subtle bite and flavor.

for serving:

hamburger buns – We like toasted brioche buns.
muenster cheese slices – the reliable melty cheese. Set out 8 slices.
extra jalapeños – Either sliced or chopped.
crispy onions – Adds onion flavor and crunchy texture.
potato chips – Serve as a side.
pickles – Serve as a side.

Start by heating 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a dutch oven over medium to medium-low heat. Add in 1 cup diced yellow onion, 1 diced jalapeño (seeds and ribs removed for less heat) and 2 minced cloves of garlic with a pinch of kosher salt.

Stir and cook 5 to 8 minutes or until the onions and jalapeños are soft.

To that, add in 2 pounds lean ground beef. Using a wooden spoon, break it up into crumbles and cook until no longer pink. Drain and discard fat.

Once the beef is browned, add in 1-3/4 cup ketchup, 1/2 cup water, 1-1/2 tablespoons white (distilled) vinegar, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, and a couple splashes Worcestershire sauce. Then measure and add in 2 tablespoons sugar, 3/4 teaspoon both kosher salt and cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon paprika and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper.

Stir, cover and simmer on low for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Toast your hamburger buns, top with a few spoonfuls of the spicy sloppy joe mixture. Top with a slice of muenster cheese and slide underneath your broiler for 30 to 45 seconds. It doesn’t take long for the cheese to melt.

Lastly, top with a few more spoonfuls of the meat mixture (they’re called sloppy for a reason!), sliced jalapeño and crispy fried onions.

SO. DANG. GOOD.

These sandwiches, without the extra jalapeño on top, are the dependable level of spice and not too hot. But the extra jalapeño gives these sloppies fresh flavor and crunch, they also amp up the heat for those who like things extra spicy.

Whether served on a random Wednesday, Halloween or at your game day party, these spicy jalapeño sloppy joes will be a huge hit!