Smoky Tex-Mex Sloppy Joes

A little bit smoky and filled with all of your favorite Tex-Mex flavors, these Smoky Tex-Mex Sloppy Joes take the normal sloppy Joe to a new level. This is a great way to change up a family favorite!

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Say yes to all of the sloppy joes! This Tex-Mex version is amazing, but also check out these Turkey Sloppy Joes, Chicken Sloppy Joes, or Buffalo Sloppy Joes.

I love a good sloppy joe. So much that I have more than a couple different versions of them here on Taste and Tell.

This one right here may be going to the top of my “love” list. I cannot tell you how much I loved this, and how excited I was the next day for leftovers. As much as I love a good, traditional Sloppy Joe, these Smoky Tex-Mex Sloppy Joes are right there at the top of the list.. The pickled jalapenos added some great heat – but if you aren’t a fan, you could totally leave them off. But the Fritos – those are a must have. I love that they gave the sandwich a crunch. They made this totally stand out from a traditional sloppy joe.

And now I’m wondering what else I can throw Fritos and pickled jalapenos onto…

Ingredients

Bacon: This will give the sloppy joe some of its smokiness, and the bacon flavor just really works in this recipe.

Ground Beef: If you have a leaner ground beef, you won’t need to drain the fat.

Onion, Jalapeno, Garlic: These all flavor the filling. If you want less heat, remove the seeds and the ribs from the jalapeno.

Chili Powder, Cumin, Coriander: This is your seasoning mix. It will also help with the smoky aspect of the filling.

Beef Broth: Beef broth or beef stock could be use.

Tomato Sauce: You will need one small can of tomato sauce.

Worcestershire Sauce: This helps to deepen the flavor.

Brown Sugar: I use light brown sugar, but you could use dark brown as well.

Apple Cider Vinegar: You need a bit of acid, and the vinegar brings that. If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, you could use white vinegar or another flavored vinegar as long as the flavor compliments the filling.

Hot Sauce: I used Frank’s Red Hot, but you could use any hot sauce that you like.

Hamburger Buns: Use store bought for ease, or make homemade hamburger buns if you have the time!

Pickled Jalapenos & Fritos: These are both optional, but highly recommended!!

How to Make Smoky Tex-Mex Sloppy Joes

1. Cook the bacon until crisp, then remove from the skillet, leaving the bacon grease in the pan.
2. In the same pan, cook the ground beef. Add in the onion, jalapeno, garlic, and spices. Cook until the vegetables are soft.
3. Mix together the beef broth, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and hot sauce. Pour this mixture into the skillet with the ground beef. Cook until the mixture thickens, then stir in the reserved bacon.
4. Divide the filling between the hamburger buns, and top with pickled jalapenos and fritos and enjoy!

More Favorite Sandwich Recipes

Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Monte Cristo Sandwich
Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sandwiches
Italian Beef Sandwiches

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Smoky Tex-Mex Sloppy Joes

5 from 3 votes

Author: Deborah Harroun

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Mexican

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A little bit smoky and filled with all of your favorite Tex-Mex flavors, these Smoky Tex-Mex Sloppy Joes take the normal sloppy Joe to a new level. This is a great way to change up a family favorite!

1x2x3x

Ingredients

• ▢ 4 slices of bacon chopped
• ▢ 1 pound ground beef
• ▢ Salt and pepper
• ▢ 1 cup chopped onion
• ▢ 1 jalapeño chopped (seeds and ribs removed for less heat)
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic chopped
• ▢ 1 tablespoon chili powder
• ▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• ▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
• ▢ 1 cup beef broth
• ▢ 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
• ▢ 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• ▢ 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• ▢ 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• ▢ 1 tablespoon hot sauce such as Frank’s Red Hot
• ▢ 4 hamburger buns toasted
• ▢ Pickled jalapeños for topping (optional)
• ▢ Crushed Fritos for topping (optional)

Instructions

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate to drain.
• In the same skillet, add the ground beef. Cook, breaking it up as it browns, until cooked through. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the onion, jalapeño, garlic, chili powder, cumin and coriander. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
• In a bowl, mix together the beef broth, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, cider vinegar, and hot sauce. Pour over the beef mixture. Bring to a boil and cook until you reach your desired thickness, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in the reserved bacon.
• Serve the meat on top of toasted buns with pickled jalapeños and crushed Fritos.

Recipe Notes:

adapted from Every Day with Rachael Ray April 2013

Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide. Nutrition information does not include optional toppings.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1sloppy joe, Calories: 435kcal (22%), Carbohydrates: 36g (12%), Protein: 33g (66%), Fat: 18g (28%), Saturated Fat: 6g (38%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 78mg (26%), Sodium: 1178mg (51%), Fiber: 4g (17%), Sugar: 10g (11%)

Keywords: tex-mex sloppy joes