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Crispy Smash Burger Sloppy Joes Recipe Easy Homemade Melted Cheddar

crispy smash burger sloppy joes - featured image

A quick and easy recipe combining crispy smashed burger patties with rich, tangy sloppy joe sauce and melted sharp cheddar cheese, perfect for a satisfying comfort meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef, 80/20 blend
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or canola oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) beef broth or water
  • 4 hamburger buns, toasted
  • 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
  • Optional: pickles or sliced jalapeños

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, whisk together ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, brown sugar, beef broth, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and sauté until softened and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the prepared sloppy joe sauce, stir well, and let it simmer gently while cooking the patties. Stir occasionally.
  4. Divide ground beef into 4 equal portions (about 4 ounces or 115 grams each). Roll loosely into balls.
  5. Increase heat to medium-high and ensure the pan is very hot.
  6. Add a little oil if needed. Place one ball of meat in the pan and immediately smash it down firmly with a spatula until about 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick. Repeat for all patties, cooking in batches if necessary.
  7. Cook patties undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until edges are brown and crispy. Season with salt and pepper. Flip carefully and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
  8. Place a slice of cheddar on each patty after flipping to melt while the other side cooks.
  9. Spoon a generous amount of sloppy joe sauce onto the bottom bun, top with the cheesy crispy patty, add optional toppings if desired, and cap with the top bun.
  10. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Use an 80/20 ground beef blend for juicy, flavorful patties. Ensure the pan is very hot before smashing patties to get a crispy crust. Don’t move patties while cooking to develop crust. Toast buns with butter to prevent sogginess. Sauce can be made ahead and reheated gently. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 2 days; reheat in skillet to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: smash burger, sloppy joes, crispy burger, melted cheddar, easy recipe, comfort food, quick dinner